As the president-elect continues to assemble his staff in preparation for his second term, he has appointed Florida Republican Rep. Mike Waltz as his national security adviser. Throughout the 2024 campaign, Waltz was one of President-elect Trump’s most well-known surrogates.
Representative Mike Waltz, a Republican from Florida, has been appointed as President-elect Donald Trump’s national security adviser.
In his announcement of his choice on Tuesday, Trump referred to the congressman as “a nationally recognised leader in National Security, a bestselling author, and an expert on the threats presented by China, Russia, Iran, and global terrorism.””
“Mike will be an amazing advocate for our quest for Peace through Strength, and he has been a strong supporter of my America First Foreign Policy agenda!” Trump stated in his declaration.
The Senate does not need to confirm the national security adviser.
Waltz, the first Green Beret elected to Congress, is a China hawk. His criticism of the Biden-Harris foreign policy record during the presidential campaign made him a crucial surrogate for Trump.
Waltz was elected to the House in 2018 and is a member of the Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, and Intelligence committees. Along with 13 other Republicans, he is a member of the House China Task Force.
Although he has previously backed help to Ukraine, he has placed “conditions” on it, such as higher spending from European allies, more control of the money, and tying the aid to border security measures.
During his tour to Ukraine, Waltz, a strong opponent of the Biden administration’s approach to the country, attacked the White House and its allies for failing to give Ukraine more deadly aid early in the battle, including Polish-made MiG fighter planes.
Waltz had a number of national security policy positions in the White House and Pentagon during the George W. Bush administration prior to entering the political race. After 27 years in the Army and the National Guard, he retired as a colonel.
