Mike Waltz, Trump’s National Security Advisor, finds himself in a precarious position as the fallout from a Yemen military operation leak puts his career at risk. While President Donald Trump has not yet dismissed him, reports suggest Waltz has lost influence within the White House, with key aides and officials distancing themselves from him.
According to sources cited by the Wall Street Journal, Waltz’s biggest misstep was not the coordination of U.S. military actions against Houthi rebels in Yemen via the Signal app, nor even the alleged sharing of Israeli intelligence on an unclassified network. Instead, the breach of a high-level discussion group by a journalist was the ultimate blow to his credibility.
Internal White House Debate on Waltz’s Fate
On Wednesday, Trump reportedly consulted Vice President JD Vance, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Personnel Director Sergio Gor about whether Waltz should be removed. While Trump has publicly signaled continued support, behind closed doors, his advisors are divided.
Waltz, a former U.S. Congressman from Florida and Bush administration official, has long been a trusted figure in Republican foreign policy circles. However, his use of Signal for sensitive national security discussions, including Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations and military operations, has raised serious concerns among officials.
Though no evidence has surfaced that classified information was leaked, the optics of the situation have left Waltz politically vulnerable. As Trump’s administration battles rising tensions in the Middle East, Waltz’s role remains uncertain, with his influence steadily eroding.
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