WASHINGTON – President-elect Donald Trump has selected Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida to serve as his national security adviser, according to multiple sources familiar with the decision.
Waltz, 50, is a three-term Republican congressman and decorated Green Beret combat veteran. His appointment comes as Trump prepares to address several high-stakes international challenges, including ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Russia, as well as the Israel-Hamas war.
Unlike some top administration posts, the national security adviser role does not require Senate confirmation, allowing Waltz to quickly join the incoming administration.
A member of the House Armed Services Committee, Waltz has long been an outspoken advocate for stronger defense policies and has criticized the Department of Defense’s diversity initiatives. He is a strong proponent of increasing military spending from NATO allies and has raised concerns over the U.S. government’s financial commitment to Ukraine in its war against Russia.
Waltz’s background includes 27 years of service in the U.S. Army and National Guard, with multiple deployments to combat zones in the Middle East and Afghanistan. He is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and was awarded four Bronze Stars, two for valor.
He is perhaps best known for leading search missions in Afghanistan for Pvt. Bowe Bergdahl, a U.S. soldier who deserted his post. Waltz has since criticized the Obama administration’s handling of Bergdahl’s release from Taliban captivity, calling it misguided.
In recent years, Waltz has been a vocal critic of the Pentagon’s approach to “woke” policies under the Biden administration, specifically its focus on diversity and efforts to remove extremists from the military ranks. Waltz has called for more traditional military priorities, including focusing on readiness and defense spending.
Waltz was re-elected to a fourth term in the House of Representatives in the 2024 elections. He joins New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, who Trump announced earlier this week will be nominated as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, as one of the few lawmakers slated to join the new administration. With these departures, the House will temporarily lose two Republican members, pending special elections for replacements.
Waltz’s appointment signals Trump’s focus on military readiness, defense policy, and national security priorities as he prepares to enter office for a second term.
