UN (AP) — Mike Waltz, nominated by Donald Trump to be the ambassador to the United Nations, is set to face questions from lawmakers on Tuesday.
The former Republican House representative is slated to appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for his confirmation hearing, which comes after months of delays, including the withdrawal of the previous candidate.
This hearing marks the first opportunity for senators to assess Waltz’s qualifications amid ongoing upheaval within the administration. Notably, he added Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor-in-chief of a major publication, to his private messaging platform used to discuss plans involving extremist actions in Yemen.
Waltz has also drawn scrutiny for remarks concerning Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who shared sensitive information in discussions with several other prominent national security figures. Hegseth later indicated his support from Trump, despite similar discussions being held in a private chat that included family members.
Waltz was appointed as national security adviser in May but was later replaced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio before being chosen for the UN role.
Trump has commended Waltz, stating, “Throughout his career, from the battlefield to Congress and as my national security adviser, Mike Waltz has tirelessly prioritized our nation’s interests.”
The United Nations is facing major changes
If confirmed, Waltz will step into the UN at a time marked by significant shifts. Global leaders are upset by Trump’s cuts to foreign aid, which have impacted humanitarian efforts, and they anticipate further reductions in U.S. budget contributions.
The White House contends that many UN agencies are straying from objectives that serve U.S. interests, claiming this “drifting” poses issues for international relationships.
As the largest donor to the UN, any funding cuts could severely hinder operations.
Amid economic challenges, the UN has struggled with internal projects and embarked on extensive reforms over the past few months. Meanwhile, critics have expressed frustration over the organization’s perceived inefficiency and ineffectiveness in conflict resolution.
John Bolton, who served as a former U.S. ambassador to the UN and national security adviser, has criticized the current state of the organization, stating, “It might be worse now than at any point since its inception.”
Waltz meets the senators
Over the past few weeks, Waltz has engaged with both Democrats and Republicans on the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Democrat Sen. Tammy Duckworth mentioned that she discussed a variety of issues with Waltz, including how the Trump administration plans to leverage the UN to strengthen alliances and counter China’s influence.
She said, “I brought up a recent issue and highlighted how the PRC’s actions could sway other countries within the UN in our favor.”
Despite potential Democratic opposition, Waltz’s confirmation will require a majority vote in the Republican-controlled Senate.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin expressed confidence in Waltz’s nomination, saying, “He’ll be okay. Mike is good.” He added that party lines might lead Democrats to act independently.
The approach Waltz plans to take remains somewhat uncertain. Trump’s first nominee, Rep. Elise Stefanik, had previously taken a hard stance on issues related to anti-Semitism in international discussions and criticized the UN’s operations. Her sudden withdrawal came after concerns about the potential impact on narrow GOP margins in the House.
Waltz is still on White House salary
Waltz, whose position in Florida’s House was filled through special elections earlier this year, has continued to receive a salary from the White House despite his removal as national security adviser. As of July 1, his annual earnings stand at $195,200.
White House representatives acknowledged Waltz’s ongoing salary arrangement while he emphasized the importance of a “smooth transition for the national security adviser role.”
Waltz was the first Green Beret elected to the House, securing a fourth term in the election prior to his appointment by Trump.
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