White House national security adviser Waltz to leave post - CBS

White House national security adviser Waltz to leave post - CBS

The White House has announced that National Security Adviser Michael Waltz will be stepping down from his post. This decision comes amidst ongoing turmoil within the administration's national security apparatus, which has been a source of significant debate and scrutiny.

Waltz's tenure has been marked by a series of high-profile dismissals and staffing changes at the National Security Council (NSC), a highly sensitive part of the U.S. government that provides a forum for the president to consider national-security and foreign-policy issues. The NSC has faced criticism for its chaotic management, with career officials being dismissed without proper protocol, and key decisions being made without traditional NSC processes [2].

The NSC's staffing has been particularly contentious. In January, the council was purged of dozens of career officials, and the Western Hemisphere directorate, which covers countries to which Trump is deporting migrants, remained vacant for several months. The firings and staffing issues have been attributed to President Trump's impatience with process, disregard for the law, and insistence on loyalty over expertise [2].

Waltz's departure follows months of strain between him and President Trump. Waltz, a former Florida congressman and Green Beret, has been seen as an imperfect fit for Trump's administration due to his deep concern for alliances, including with Ukraine. The strain between the two has grown, with Trump becoming frustrated with Waltz's performance and his handling of the NSC [2].

The NSC's chaotic approach to foreign-policy decision-making has been reflected in major decisions being reached without a traditional NSC process. For instance, staff with portfolios that include Russia's war in Ukraine first learned from news reports that Trump had decided to pause intelligence sharing with Kyiv. The chaotic approach has also been reflected in a lax attitude toward operations security, with cellphones often present during sensitive discussions [2].

Waltz's departure from the NSC is likely to have significant implications for U.S. foreign policy. His replacement will need to navigate the complex political dynamics within the administration and restore order to the NSC's operations. The future of the NSC under a new leadership will be closely watched by investors and financial professionals, who are keenly interested in the stability and effectiveness of U.S. foreign policy.

References:
[1] https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-treasury-secretary-scott-bessent-ukrainian-president-volodymyr/story?id=121176795
[2] https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/04/national-security-council-fiasco/682595/

Ask Aime: What's the impact of Waltz's departure on national security?