In a recent public appearance, President Trump expressed his support for his national security adviser, emphasizing their importance in his administration. However, sources indicate that he has been seeking counsel from various advisors.
This week, President Trump found himself preoccupied with one pressing question. What actions should be taken regarding the national security adviser, Michael Waltz?
In a moment of uncertainty, he posed the question to aides and allies: “Should I fire him?” This inquiry comes in the wake of significant repercussions following the unexpected leak of a Signal group chat initiated by Mr. Waltz, who mistakenly included a journalist in discussions regarding an imminent military operation in Yemen.
In public appearances, Mr. Trump has consistently chosen to defend Mr. Waltz while launching critiques against the media. On Tuesday, following the revelation by Jeffrey Goldberg of The Atlantic regarding his inclusion in the chat, the president remarked that Mr. Waltz was a “good man” who owed no apologies.
In a surprising turn of events, Mr. Trump has reportedly sought the opinions of individuals both within and outside his administration regarding his next steps.
Sources indicate that he expressed dissatisfaction with the media coverage to his allies, yet he emphasized a desire to avoid the perception of yielding to a media frenzy. He expressed hesitation regarding the decision to terminate individuals in senior positions so soon into his second term.
Sources indicate that for Mr. Trump, the primary concern did not seem to revolve around his national security adviser’s lack of caution regarding the discussion of military plans on a commercial application. Reports suggest that Mr. Waltz may have had some form of association with Mr. Goldberg, a Washington journalist who is notably disliked by Mr. Trump. The president voiced his dissatisfaction regarding Mr. Waltz's possession of Mr. Goldberg's phone number.
On Wednesday evening, former President Trump convened a meeting that included Vice President JD Vance, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, White House Personnel Chief Sergio Gor, Mideast Envoy Steve Witkoff, among others, to discuss the future of Mr. Waltz.
Late Thursday, amidst the ongoing controversy, Mr. Trump called Mr. Waltz to the Oval Office for a meeting. By the following morning, sources close to the president indicated that he expressed a willingness to continue his support for Mr. Waltz, according to three individuals familiar with the president's mindset.
During an interview on Saturday with NBC News, Mr. Trump reiterated his stance on the situation, dismissing inquiries regarding the officials involved as a witch hunt.
Sources familiar with Mr. Trump's inner circle indicate that Mr. Waltz has managed to retain his position partly due to ongoing support from certain administration members. Additionally, it is reported that Mr. Trump is keen to steer clear of any parallels to the tumultuous staffing issues that characterized his first term, which recorded the highest turnover rate of senior advisors in contemporary presidential history.
In a notable development, Mr. Trump demonstrates a readiness to overlook external pressures during his second term. This episode highlights his ongoing struggle with the loyalty tests he has implemented for his administration's staff.
In a developing story, Mr. Waltz finds himself in a precarious position, facing criticism from certain advisers to the president who perceive him as excessively hawkish. His strong advocacy for military action against Iran stands in stark contrast to the president's stated preference for diplomatic negotiations.
Mr. Waltz’s opponents have seized upon a somewhat unclear association with Mr. Goldberg, using it to intensify the skepticism surrounding him.
Concerns have emerged among some of Mr. Trump’s closest allies regarding the compatibility of Mr. Waltz, a former official from the George W. Bush administration, with the president’s foreign policy approach. In a recent development, Mr. Waltz has found himself at odds with Mr. Vance and Ms. Wiles during policy discussions. The disagreements primarily revolve around Iran and its inclination to align with Mr. Trump’s preferences, as reported by multiple sources familiar with the situation.
In a recent statement, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that former President Trump is supported by a team that engages in robust discussions, yet ultimately, he remains the “ultimate decision maker.” “When he makes a decision, all team members align their efforts to ensure successful execution,” she stated.
In recent weeks, a conversation emerged among aides regarding the ideological alignment of Mr. Waltz with the president. In a recent conversation, sources indicate that Mr. Trump, who has expressed admiration for Mr. Waltz in private settings, signaled his reluctance to initiate a wave of dismissals at this early stage of his second administration. Former President Trump expressed regret over the decision to dismiss his first national security adviser, Michael T. Flynn, after a brief tenure of less than a month in 2017. He feared that this action would contribute to a narrative portraying him as a figure who fosters chaos.
In the wake of the Signal thread leak, a user on X has circulated a clip from a 2016 video featuring Mr. Waltz, which was created by an organization largely financed by the billionaire Koch brothers. In a powerful statement, military veteran Mr. Waltz addressed the camera, denouncing Mr. Trump as a draft-dodger and urging, “Stop Trump now.” The recent snippet has captured the attention of critics of Mr. Waltz.
In a contrasting development, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth seems to be secure in his position, despite having disclosed specific details regarding the timing of strikes against Houthi militants in Yemen within the Signal thread. Supporters of the MAGA movement, including Charlie Kirk, have taken to the internet to defend him.
On Wednesday, the president stated that Mr. Hegseth “had nothing to do with this.”
Mr. Hegseth has successfully navigated a challenging confirmation process in the Senate, aided by Mr. Vance, and has established a strong rapport with Mr. Trump.
In a developing situation, Mr. Waltz appears to retain his position, yet the ongoing controversy has served as a wake-up call for Mr. Trump’s aides. They are realizing that the president’s approach to crisis management—characterized by a steadfast denial and a commitment to doubling down, regardless of the troubling facts—may not yield the same results for them as it has historically for Mr. Trump himself.
In a recent development, Mr. Waltz has categorically denied any meetings, knowledge, or communication with Mr. Goldberg following the release of the Atlantic story. However, that assertion faced immediate scrutiny as images emerged from a 2021 event held at the French Embassy in Washington, showcasing Mr. Goldberg and Mr. Waltz standing side by side. Allies of Mr. Waltz have refuted claims that the photograph indicates any prior acquaintance between the two men.
In a recent report, Mr. Goldberg revealed that he had previously encountered Mr. Waltz while discussing the Signal chain. On Saturday, when questioned about his relationship with Mr. Waltz and whether he possessed Mr. Waltz’s contact number, he responded, “I am not going to comment on my relationship with public figures or sources, one way or the other.”
In a striking development, Mr. Trump has called for unwavering loyalty from his staff. However, it appears that several high-ranking officials are seasoned veterans of Washington, possessing established relationships, previous experiences, and connections with individuals whom Mr. Trump holds in disdain.
John R. Bolton, who served as the third of four national security advisers to Mr. Trump, stated, “The principle of surrounding oneself with a group of yes men and yes women is the guiding principle, built on the foundation of renouncing any past that may contradict this approach.” Bolton later authored a revealing book detailing his experiences during his tenure in the White House.
Mr. Bolton stated, “Anyone who has spent a decade or more in Washington possesses a diverse array of backgrounds.”
On Friday in Greenland, Mr. Vance, who was accompanying Mr. Waltz on a mission to advocate for U.S. control over the territory, explicitly stated that Mr. Waltz was responsible for including Mr. Goldberg in the Signal thread.
Mr. Vance, a participant in the group chat, reiterated his support for Mr. Waltz, a stance he has previously taken within the organization. In a notable development, Mr. Trump appears to be signaling his readiness to shift focus, at least for the time being.
“If you believe you can compel the president of the United States to dismiss anyone, you are mistaken,” he stated. In a statement made on Friday, the Vice President reiterated the unwavering support for the national security team, echoing President Trump's remarks from earlier in the week. "President Trump has said it on Monday, on Tuesday, on Wednesday, and on Thursday, and I’m here to affirm our commitment," he declared.
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