The Senate confirmed Mike Waltz as UN Ambassador for President Trump on Friday, just days before the UN General Assembly kicks off in New York.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) expressed her support for Waltz, though his nomination faced several months of delays. Ultimately, he was approved by a tight 47-43 vote.
This confirmation allows Waltz to participate in the United Nations’ annual high-level dialogue, where leaders from 193 member states gather for a week of intense diplomacy. Key topics will likely include the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza.
Waltz had been sidelined from a previous role in May after being overlooked for Trump’s national security adviser position due to a misstep during a group chat. He accidentally included journalists in discussions about a military strike in Yemen, which created significant embarrassment for Trump’s team and raised concerns over handling sensitive military information.
Some Senate Democrats had warned of a thorough confirmation hearing, yet Waltz emerged with relatively minor scrutiny. While a few Democrats criticized his “amateurish” approach to communication, they acknowledged his qualifications stemming from his experience as a former Army colonel, Green Beret, and a three-term Republican lawmaker.
Democrats also expressed hope that Waltz would play a significant role in addressing issues at the UN, particularly to counteract external influence.
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) was among Republicans who voted against his confirmation. He referenced Waltz’s past actions while serving in the House, including a 2020 vote limiting troop withdrawals from Afghanistan and opposing the Biden administration’s troop withdrawal in 2021.
