National Security Advisor Mike Waltz has stepped into the spotlight, especially with Secretary of State Marco Rubio temporarily filling in for him.
On Thursday, President Trump shared that he has chosen Waltz, a former House GOP representative, as his nominee for the UN ambassador position, replacing Rubio.
"Waltz has donned uniforms in battle, served in Congress, and worked diligently as my national security adviser, always prioritizing the country’s interests," Trump mentioned.
It’s worth noting that Waltz’s deputy, Alex Wong, is also on his way out. Both have faced criticism from the far-right sectors of the MAGA movement, with Waltz being involved in a scandal that created some embarrassment for the Trump administration back in March.
Looking into who might take over Waltz’s role, a few candidates are emerging.
Marco Rubio
Rubio could see his temporary position great expanded into a permanent role. If things go his way, he would be the first since Henry Kissinger to juggle both the Secretary of State and National Security Adviser titles at once.
Tammy Bruce, a spokesperson for the State Department, expressed optimism regarding Rubio’s ability to handle the additional responsibilities, noting he "wore multiple hats" during Trump’s second term. He’s also actively working towards building a peace deal to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine while playing a crucial role in attempts to deport foreign students participating in anti-Israel protests.
Steve Witkoff
Steve Witkoff is reportedly a leading candidate to replace Waltz. He has quickly become a key player as Trump’s favored international negotiator.
Witkoff, a billionaire real estate mogul, was appointed by Trump as a special envoy to the Middle East. He has engaged in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the Ukraine war, and is spearheading initial discussions with Iran concerning the nuclear program. Although Witkoff has a long-standing personal relationship with Trump, he doesn’t have traditional governmental or foreign affairs experience.
Rick Grenell
Rick Grenell has previously been a Trump envoy and was seen as a contender for both the national security adviser and Secretary of State positions at the start of Trump’s second term. Currently, he serves as the interim executive director of the Kennedy Center.
He’s had a somewhat quiet recent period but notably played a role in securing the release of six Americans who were held hostage in Venezuela earlier this year. Grenell has held various positions, including Director of National Intelligence and Ambassador to Germany.
Stephen Miller
Axios reported that Stephen Miller, who serves as Trump’s top policy adviser, is a popular topic of discussion as a potential replacement for Waltz.
As a significant driving force in Trump’s immigration policies, Miller is often the face of some of the administration’s most contentious deportation actions. Transitioning to a national security role would mark a significant shift in his responsibilities within Trump’s circle.
Miller found himself in controversial debates previously, often steering discussions, such as those regarding military actions against the Houthi rebels, off track.
Michael Anton
In online MAGA discussions, Michael Anton is emerging as a favored candidate to succeed Waltz. Recently appointed to lead negotiations with Iran on their nuclear ambitions, he serves as the Director of Policy Planning for the State Department.
Having previously worked on the National Security Council, he was present during Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian leader Voldimir Zelensky just last weekend.
Sebastian Gorka
Sebastian Gorka, a notable figure from the Trump administration, could also be in the running.
He has taken on the role of the president’s assistant and served as the senior director for counterterrorism. Trump has praised Gorka as a strong advocate for his administration’s policies.
Robert O’Brien
Robert O’Brien, who was Trump’s final national security adviser, is also viewed as a possible candidate for the Secretary of State position. Before stepping into his advisory role, he was Trump’s special envoy for hostage negotiations.
He has an interesting distinction of being among the few that acknowledged President Biden’s victory in the last election, assuring an orderly transition—something that sets him apart from many in Trump’s circle.
Fred Fleitz
Fred Fleitz previously held the role of Chief of Staff for the National Security Council and spent several months in the first Trump administration.
He’s currently a vice president at a policy research center and contributes to Newsmax, bringing in around 30 years of experience in national security across various roles.
Keith Kellogg
Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg was initially appointed for negotiations regarding Russia and Ukraine but has since focused on the Ukrainian side of talks.
With decorated military service and previous advisory roles, he also served as a temporary national security adviser after Michael Flynn’s resignation.
Christopher Landau
Another name that surfaced as a potential successor to Waltz is Christopher Landau, who was Trump’s ambassador to Mexico. However, the State Department hasn’t confirmed this possibility.
Elise Stefanik
Finally, Rep. Elise Stefanik, a name familiar in Republican circles, might not be out of the picture either. She has a chance of becoming the next UN ambassador. However, given some recent Republican concerns, especially regarding election dynamics in New York, it remains to be seen how things will play out. If Trump reshuffles his team post-midterm elections, she could find herself back in contention for this role.
