Trump Fires Waltz, Taps Rubio as National Security Adviser

In his first major shake-up since returning to office, President Donald Trump on Thursday fired National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and appointed Secretary of State Marco Rubio as his interim replacement.

“This is about getting results,” Trump said at a White House event. “When I have a problem, I call up Marco. He gets it solved.”

Dual Role for Rubio

Rubio will now serve in a rare dual role. He becomes the first person since Henry Kissinger to hold both the national security adviser and secretary of state positions simultaneously.

The move signals a consolidation of power around Rubio, one of Trump’s most trusted allies in foreign affairs.

Scandals and Setbacks

Waltz’s ouster follows a string of controversies, most notably a March scandal involving a Signal chat among top Trump aides. Waltz was blamed for accidentally including a journalist in a private thread discussing U.S. bombing plans in Yemen.

At a Cabinet meeting, Trump made a pointed remark: such conversations should happen “in a secure setting.”

Sources say Trump had wanted to wait until after his 100th day in office before firing a cabinet-level official. But internal frustrations with Waltz had reportedly reached a boiling point.

Staff Purge at NSC

Waltz leaves behind a gutted National Security Council. Since April 1, over 20 NSC staffers have been fired. His deputy, Alex Wong, is also out.

The purge began after right-wing activist Laura Loomer reportedly handed Trump a list of “disloyal” NSC officials. Several of those fired had long conservative records but no known conflict with Trump.

Morale at the NSC has plummeted. One official said the dismissals have drained the team of experienced talent and left foreign policy coordination in disarray.

Allies on Edge

Waltz’s exit may unsettle allies in Europe and Asia. A senior diplomat described him as “a steady hand who backed NATO and alliances that Trump often criticized.”

Now, Trump has nominated Waltz for a new post — U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. “He has worked hard to put our nation’s interests first,” Trump said in a social media post.

Uncertain Future

While Trump expresses confidence in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, many wonder how long that loyalty will last. Hegseth, too, was linked to the same Signal controversy that marred Waltz.

Still, the administration insists Signal is a government-approved app. “Signal is an approved app that is loaded onto our government phones,” said Communications Director Steven Cheung.

As Trump reshapes his inner circle, one message is clear: loyalty, secrecy, and results now take precedence — and missteps will not be tolerated.