Mike Waltz is reportedly leaving his post as National Security Adviser on Thursday, according to reports from multiple outlets citing sources close to the matter. Waltz’s top deputy, Alex Wong, is also expected to step down.
Reports began circulating early Thursday morning that the former Florida congressman and Green Beret veteran was just one of several members of the National Security Council who were going to be replaced.
Waltz has been a target for Democrats and media outlets critical of the administration, particularly since The Atlantic’s Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg revealed that he’d been included in a Signal chat group with numerous Trump administration officials — and had been privy to conversations about imminent strikes on Houthi terrorists.
While Waltz took full responsibility for the breach, conceding that Goldberg had been inadvertently added to the chat from his phone, a full investigation revealed that Goldberg’s number had likely been picked up by the iPhone’s “automated suggestion” algorithm rather than any intentional move by Waltz or his staff. The administration and others who were in the chat group have maintained that no classified information was ever discussed there.
“I take full responsibility. I built the group. … It’s embarrassing. We’re going to get to the bottom of it,” Waltz told Fox News host Laura Ingraham at the time.
President Donald Trump said at the time that he did not plan to fire members of his team based on “fake news” — and thus far, there has been no confirmation from the White House of Waltz’s exit.
Journalist Mark Halperin was the first to report that Waltz was on the way out, saying early Thursday morning that Waltz’s removal could occur within 24 hours.
Mike Waltz is reportedly leaving his post as National Security Adviser on Thursday, according to reports from multiple outlets citing sources close to the matter. Waltz’s top deputy, Alex Wong, is also expected to step down.
Reports began circulating early Thursday morning that the former Florida congressman and Green Beret veteran was just one of several members of the National Security Council who were going to be replaced.
Waltz has been a target for Democrats and media outlets critical of the administration, particularly since The Atlantic’s Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg revealed that he’d been included in a Signal chat group with numerous Trump administration officials — and had been privy to conversations about imminent strikes on Houthi terrorists.
While Waltz took full responsibility for the breach, conceding that Goldberg had been inadvertently added to the chat from his phone, a full investigation revealed that Goldberg’s number had likely been picked up by the iPhone’s “automated suggestion” algorithm rather than any intentional move by Waltz or his staff. The administration and others who were in the chat group have maintained that no classified information was ever discussed there.
“I take full responsibility. I built the group. … It’s embarrassing. We’re going to get to the bottom of it,” Waltz told Fox News host Laura Ingraham at the time.
President Donald Trump said at the time that he did not plan to fire members of his team based on “fake news” — and thus far, there has been no confirmation from the White House of Waltz’s exit.
Journalist Mark Halperin was the first to report that Waltz was on the way out, saying early Thursday morning that Waltz’s removal could occur within 24 hours.
