Trump Reshuffles National Security Team Amid Messaging Controversy
President Trump nominates Marco Rubio as interim National Security Adviser amid criticism of secure communications following Mike Waltz's removal linked to a messaging scandal.
The chat app Waltz was using appears to be a modified version of Signal called TM SGNL, made by a company that copies messaging apps but adds an ability to retain messages and archive them.
Photos reveal Trump cabinet member using less-secure Signal app knockoff
The Guardian·2h·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
It turned out Rubio, who always “gets it solved,” was himself the solution.
With another role in his portfolio, Rubio ascends in Trump’s orbit | Politics
CNN·6h·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.Government officials are required to keep records of their communications, but archiving potentially can introduce security risks to those messages.
Waltz's Unofficial App Raises Concerns Over Stored Info
Newsmax·6h·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.Rubio has largely eschewed his staunch advocacy of providing foreign aid and promoting democracy overseas since taking over the State Department, repeating a refrain that every policy or program should make America safer, stronger or more prosperous.
With Waltz out, Rubio takes on two key roles after shifting to embrace Trump's ideals
Associated Press·11h·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Some media outlets framed the move as a quiet termination of Waltz stemming from his role in a March controversy in which Jonah Goldberg, editor of The Atlantic, was added to a Signal chat where military activity in Yemen was discussed.
Vance Rejects Claims Waltz Was Fired From National Security Post
Epoch Times·14h·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
Vance told Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier that Waltz’s ousting was not a result of Signalgate, which he called a "nothingburger."
FOX News·15h·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.
Trump’s approval has plummeted in recent weeks as the president’s tariff policy puts downward pressure on the stock market and economic confidence, with this week’s report on first quarter growth finding the economy contracted at a 0.3% annualized pace, the first quarter of negative growth since 2022.
Vance: Waltz UN ambassador nomination a 'promotion' - Washington Examiner
Washington Examiner·16h·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.
This is the kind of shakeup that defined President Trump's first term and, by all accounts, he has been trying to avoid during his second term.
Waltz ousted as national security adviser, nominated for UN role in White House shakeup
PBS NewsHour·16h·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
The delayed timing of the maneuver matters for at least two reasons.
Why Trump waited to make his move on Mike Waltz: From the Politics Desk
NBC News·17h·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
All in all, it’s just another day of chaos in the court of the Chaos King.
Marco Rubio Might Have His Jobs, But He’s No Henry Kissinger
New York Magazine·17h·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
This term we are seeing the emergence of a new generation more inclined to isolationism and appeasement.
Trump Shuffles His Foreign Policy Staff
New York Sun·17h·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
Waltz's ouster was somewhat expected after he shouldered the blame for adding The Atlantic's editor-in-chief to a sensitive group chat about attack plans in Yemen.
Shuffling deck chairs: Trump nominates Waltz as UN ambassador after ousting him from adviser role
Salon·18h·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.LeftThis outlet favors left-wing views.
Trump's base of support now has a bloc that is opposed, on principle, to what the hawks are offering.
Did Mike Waltz just go down John Bolton’s path?
Reason·18h·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Waltz is being nominated for the role that Trump initially tapped House Republican Leadership Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) for.
Trump Nominates Mike Waltz for Ambassador to United Nations
Breitbart News·19h·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
Overall, this is a positive development for President Trump’s administration.
Charlie Kirk Calls Mike Waltz’s Departure From National Security Advisor Role ‘Positive Development’
Daily Caller·19h·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
The likelihood is that Rubio is implied to be better at dissimulation than Waltz.
Is Marco Rubio the next Henry Kissinger?
The Spectator World·19h·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
Waltz, who was known as a national security hawk, had an uphill road to climb within Trump's circle.
Trump says he plans to move his national security adviser Mike Waltz to the UN
NPR·20h·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Waltz came under scrutiny after his team mistakenly added a journalist to a secret chat on the non-government Signal app detailing a military strike in Yemen.
Trump National Security Advisor Mike Waltz Reassigned After Signal Chat Fiasco, Rubio Given His Role
CBN·20h·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
Distrust had already been brewing within Trump’s inner circle.
Trump to fire national security advisor in first government shakeup
El Pais·20h·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
Waltz’s departure would mark the first major staff change since Trump’s return to office.
Trump nominates Mike Waltz as UN ambassador, names interim national…
World News Group·21h·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans RightThis outlet slightly leans right.
Waltz is the most prominent senior administration official to depart since Trump returned to the White House.
National security adviser Mike Waltz reportedly leaving Trump team
Military Times·21h·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
His involvement in the Signal chat has been a cloud over his tenure since it was first revealed March 24.
Mike Waltz and the Signal chat fiasco: A recap of his involvement
USA TODAY·21h·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Despite Trump's supportive messaging on the issue, unnamed White House officials told Politico in the immediate aftermath of the Atlantic's report on the contents of the private Signal chat that there is presently internal debate over whether to kick Waltz to the curb, claiming the general consensus is that "Mike Waltz is a f**king idiot."
The Blaze·21h·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.RightThis outlet favors right-wing views.
Waltz’s demise was foretold shortly after Signalgate, when the 9/11–conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, who holds no government role, persuaded Trump to fire several NSC staffers whom she believed were insufficiently loyal.
Mike Waltz Joins an Unhappy Fraternity
The Atlantic·1d·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
It's worth appreciating the fact that when it comes to White House national security advisers — technically, the assistant to the president for national security affairs (APNSA) — it’s fair to say that Trump hasn’t had a lot of success.
Trump boots Waltz from national security adviser role, nominates for U.N. ambassadorship
MSNBC·1d·Mostly ReliableThis source is generally reliable but sometimes includes opinion, propaganda, or minor inaccuracies.LeftThis outlet favors left-wing views.
In his second term, the Republican president had been looking to avoid the tumult of his first four years in office, during which he cycled through four national security advisers, four White House chiefs of staff and two secretaries of state.
Trump national security adviser Mike Waltz is out in first major shakeup of Trump's second term
Boston Globe·1d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.Leans LeftThis outlet slightly leans left.
This move comes as President Trump has been increasingly frustrated by Waltz after he came under intense scrutiny for inadvertently adding a reporter to a Signal chat with top Trump officials discussing a U.S. military strike on Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Michael Waltz expected to depart as Trump's national security adviser, sources say
ABC News·1d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Waltz, who was the president's principal adviser on national security issues, has had a difficult tenure amid accusations that senior officials used insecure methods of communication to conduct government business.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz to leave White House role, media reports
BBC News·1d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
The stunning amount of turnover of senior staff at both the National Security Council and at the Pentagon is alarming.
Mike Waltz Expected To Exit As Donald Trump’s National Security Adviser
Deadline·1d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Waltz is the first high-level Donald Trump appointee to leave the administration.
Trump to Continue 100 Days Celebration by Firing His First High-Level Appointee
Rolling Stone·1d·Mixed ReliableThis source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.LeftThis outlet favors left-wing views.
One source familiar with the situation at the National Security Council said the president thinks sufficient time has passed since the Signal incident that Waltz and Wong's departures can be framed as part of a reorganization.
Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz and his deputy to leave posts in White House
CBS News·1d·ReliableThis source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.CenterThis outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
Summary
On May 1, President Trump reshuffled national security, naming Marco Rubio interim National Security Adviser after Mike Waltz's ousting amid a messaging scandal. Recent photographs revealed top officials, including Waltz, using an unofficial, potentially insecure version of the Signal app, raising concerns over the handling of classified information. The app, TM SGNL, allows message archiving, compromising Signal's end-to-end encryption. Critics worry the restructuring could weaken U.S. foreign policy coherence amidst ongoing economic challenges and diplomatic tensions, amidst growing scrutiny on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth following revelations of informal communication regarding military actions.
Perspectives
Waltz's departure marks the first major staff shakeup in Trump’s second term, underlining the internal issues facing the administration.
The scrutiny over Waltz’s role in ‘Signalgate’ reveals the risks associated with discussing sensitive military operations on platforms like Signal, highlighting a broader need for stringent operational security.
Trump's decision to name Waltz as U.N. ambassador came swiftly after weeks of criticism, which reflects the pressures a National Security adviser faces amid far-right influences within the administration.
FAQs
History
- 4h
- 12h
- 16h
- 19h
- 1d