Former National Security Adviser Approved in a Near Party-Line Vote, Filling Final Cabinet Vacancy
The Senate confirmed Mike Waltz, President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser, as the new U.S. ambassador to the United Nations (UN) on Friday afternoon.
The confirmation, which passed in a 47-43 vote, comes just in time for the UN General Assembly, slated to begin in New York City on September 23. This also marks the completion of President Trump’s cabinet, nearly eight months into his second term.
The vote saw a rare moment of bipartisan support and opposition. The only Republican to vote against Waltz was Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, while three Democrats—John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, and Mark Kelly of Arizona—crossed the aisle to support the confirmation.
Waltz’s appointment arrives at a critical time on the global stage, with ongoing conflicts and diplomatic challenges. These include Russia’s continued war in Ukraine, escalating tensions between China and Taiwan, and stalled negotiations to end the war between Israel and Hamas.
The path to confirmation was not without its hurdles. Waltz, who was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on July 24, was among several nominees sent back to committee in early September following procedural complaints from Democrats. He again passed the committee’s review on Wednesday, with Senator Shaheen, the top Democrat on the panel, voting in favor.
During his committee hearing, Waltz emphasized the need for “major” reform at the UN and stressed the “absolutely critical” role of the U.S. in countering China’s growing influence.
Waltz’s brief tenure as national security adviser, from March to May 2025, was not without controversy. He became embroiled in a dispute after adding Jeffrey Goldberg, a known Trump critic and editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, to a group chat on the messaging app Signal. The messages, later published by the outlet, discussed pending strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen. Despite the incident, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the president “continues to have the utmost confidence” in his national security team.
President Trump nominated Waltz on May 1, the same day he left his national security post. Waltz is Trump’s second nominee for the UN role, following Republican New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, whose nomination was withdrawn by the White House in late March.
A former U.S. Army Special Forces colonel and Green Beret, Waltz previously represented Florida’s 6th congressional district in the House from 2019 to 2025.
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