According to the Daily Mail, Trump fired Waltz after discovering his unauthorized discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about potential military strikes against Iran during Netanyahu's White House visit in February.
The dismissal initially appeared to stem from Waltz's embarrassing mishap dubbed "Signalgate," where he accidentally added a journalist to a Signal chat discussing plans to attack Yemen's Houthi terrorist group. However, sources revealed the primary reason was Waltz's independent coordination with Netanyahu regarding military options against Iran, which occurred without Trump's approval.
Unauthorized diplomatic moves lead to swift action
A source close to the situation provided insight into Trump's decision to remove Waltz from his position:
Waltz wanted to take US policy in a direction Trump wasn't comfortable with because the US hadn't attempted a diplomatic solution. It got back to Trump and the president wasn't happy with it. You can't do that. You work for the president of your country, not the president of another country.
The 51-year-old former Green Beret's actions during Netanyahu's White House visit particularly angered Trump. White House insiders revealed that Waltz engaged in detailed discussions about military strategies against Iran with the Israeli leader before their scheduled Oval Office meeting with Trump.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has temporarily assumed leadership of the National Security Council following Waltz's departure. The administration moved quickly to reassign Waltz to the position of United Nations ambassador, which sources characterize as a significant demotion designed to minimize political fallout.
White House response to diplomatic controversy
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung defended the administration's handling of the situation. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a unified approach to implementing presidential policies, highlighting Trump's successful first 100 days in office.
The administration has remained tight-lipped about specific details surrounding Waltz's discussions with Netanyahu. Neither Waltz's spokesperson nor the White House provided additional comments when asked about the nature of these conversations.
Some administration officials suggest that Waltz's previous "Signalgate" incident had already strained his relationship with Trump. The accidental inclusion of The Atlantic's editor in sensitive military communications had caused significant embarrassment for the administration.
Future implications for US-Israel relations
The incident has raised questions about the coordination of military strategies between the United States and Israel. Trump's swift action against Waltz signals his commitment to maintaining direct control over diplomatic and military decisions, particularly regarding Iran.
Netanyahu's office has not commented on the revelations about his discussions with Waltz. The situation highlights the delicate balance in US-Israel relations, especially concerning shared concerns about Iran's nuclear capabilities and regional influence.
Diplomatic experts suggest this development might impact future military cooperation between the two nations, particularly regarding strategic planning against common adversaries in the Middle East.
National security realignment unfolds
Mike Waltz's unexpected departure from his role as national security adviser stems from unauthorized discussions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about potential military actions against Iran. The controversy emerged after Trump learned of Waltz's independent coordination with Netanyahu during the Israeli leader's February White House visit, leading to his reassignment as UN ambassador. The incident underscores Trump's determination to maintain direct control over crucial foreign policy decisions, particularly those involving military actions against Iran.
