Trump has dismissed Mike Waltz, the National Security Advisor of the United States! Secretary of State Rubio will concurrently serve as the National Security Advisor!
Trump posted today (May 2) saying, "I am pleased to announce that I will nominate Mike Waltz as the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. From his service in uniform on the battlefield, in Congress, to serving as my National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz has always prioritized national interests. I believe he will uphold the same spirit in his new position. In the meantime, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will serve as the National Security Advisor while continuing to play a strong leadership role at the State Department. We will work together to continue our relentless efforts to make America and the world safe again. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
This is Trump's first major personnel adjustment since returning to the White House in January this year. Waltz was dismissed due to the "group chat leak" incident, which lost the trust of other government officials; Trump likely dismissed him to quell internal dissatisfaction and restore the credibility of the government in managing security affairs. The National Security Council (NSC) is a core institution for successive U.S. presidents to formulate and coordinate security policies, and its members often make key decisions on global hotspot conflicts.
The concurrent appointment of Secretary of State Marco Rubio as the National Security Advisor will undoubtedly greatly increase his workload. These two positions are closely linked in responsibilities but have different focuses; the National Security Advisor mainly provides strategic advice on national security issues to the president, while the Secretary of State focuses more on the execution and coordination of diplomatic affairs. Personnel changes within the government often lead to subtle shifts in the power structure. Different officials have varying styles of operation and policy preferences, which may result in adjustments during the formulation and implementation of policies. In foreign affairs, the new personnel arrangement may mean corresponding changes in America's stance and strategy in international affairs, especially in hot issues such as the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine conflict; subsequent American attitudes and actions are worth close attention.
Mike Waltz, aged 51, was a Republican congressman from Florida. He recently faced questions within the White House. Sources said that he was accused of discussing national security matters with senior officials using a commercial communication application called Signal, including military strike plans against the Houthi militia in Yemen. The controversy arose because a journalist from The Atlantic Monthly was mistakenly added to the discussion group, exposing some operational details. This error not only drew criticism of Waltz but also affected Defense Secretary Hedges.
According to an insider, Trump is considering appointing Ukraine and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff as the next National Security Advisor in the future. Another candidate is Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1830958510096392/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.