Trump Picks GOP Rep. Mike Waltz To Be His National Security Adviser
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Florida Republican Rep. Mike Waltz as his national security adviser, marking a significant addition to his team as he prepares for his second term.
Waltz, a prominent figure during the 2024 campaign, took a lead role in “military outreach efforts” and helped organize the Veterans for Trump coalition, as reported by Fox News on Monday evening.
As the first retired Green Beret to serve in Congress, Waltz has prior experience within the administration, having previously worked as a policy adviser under former Defense Secretaries Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates.
The Wall Street Journal initially reported the news of Waltz’s selection for the role.
However, elevating a House member to the administration could potentially complicate the Republicans' ability to govern in the chamber. Waltz represents a reliably conservative district on Florida’s eastern coast, making it unlikely to swing Democratic, but replacing a House representative could still take a few weeks.
Waltz is the second GOP lawmaker chosen to join Trump’s team. Earlier Monday, Trump announced he had selected Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, the chamber’s fourth-ranking Republican, as his pick for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
“I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Elise is an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter,” Trump stated to the New York Post.
Stefanik confirmed her nomination to the outlet, saying, “I am truly honored to earn President Trump’s nomination to serve in his Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. During my conversation with President Trump, I shared how deeply humbled I am to accept his nomination and that I look forward to earning the support of my colleagues in the United States Senate. President Trump’s historic landslide election has given hope to the American people and is a reminder that brighter days are ahead — both at home and abroad.”
A regular presence on television, Stefanik is known for her staunch support of GOP positions, including issues such as Israel and what she refers to as the “Biden Crime Family.”
Recently reelected to her sixth House term, Stefanik has made national headlines for her stance on rising antisemitism, questioning Ivy League presidents about the spike in campus antisemitism following the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel.
“The work ahead is immense as we see antisemitism skyrocketing coupled with four years of catastrophically weak U.S. leadership that significantly weakened our national security and diminished our standing in the eyes of both allies and adversaries,” Stefanik told the Post. “I stand ready to advance President Donald J. Trump’s restoration of America First peace through strength, leadership on the world stage on Day One at the United Nations.”
Additionally, Trump has named former ICE chief Thomas Homan, an immigration hardliner, as his new “border czar.”
“I’ve known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders. Likewise, Tom Homan will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin. Congratulations to Tom. I have no doubt he will do a fantastic, and long awaited for, job,” Trump announced on Truth Social.
According to Trump, the “border czar” position will encompass “the Northern Border, all Maritime, and Aviation Security,” in addition to the southern border with Mexico.
Reports on Tuesday also indicated Trump will appoint South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security. Like Homan, Noem has advocated for strong enforcement of immigration and border security laws.