New Delhi: President-elect Donald Trump has chosen US Representative Mike Waltz of Florida as his national security advisor, a person familiar with the matter said. Waltz, a retired Army Green Beret officer and National Guard colonel, is a three-term congressman known for his experience in military and national security matters. He has a long history in Washington’s political circles.
Waltz, who represents east-central Florida, made history as the first Green Beret elected to the US House of Representatives. He has served on key committees, including the House Armed Services Committee’s subcommittee on readiness, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Intelligence Committee. Recently re-elected, Waltz has earned a reputation for his strong stance on defense and foreign policy, particularly regarding China and US military readiness.
A Strong Voice on National Security
Waltz has been vocal about his concerns over threats posed by countries like China and Iran. He is particularly focused on US-China relations, frequently highlighting the need to hold China accountable for issues including the origins of COVID-19 and its treatment of minority Uighur Muslims. Waltz even called for a US boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing as a stand against China’s policies.
He has also criticised the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan, calling it chaotic and demanding accountability for the deaths of U.S. service members and stranded allies. Waltz has argued that the US military should focus on preparedness rather than “woke” diversity initiatives, advocating for a return to priorities that strengthen the armed forces.
In a statement last year, Waltz said that as head of the readiness subcommittee: “I am ready to get to work to better equip our military and turn our focus away from woke priorities and back to winning wars. Our national security depends on it.”
Background and Experience
A graduate of the Virginia Military Institute, Waltz served in the Army and completed multiple combat tours in Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa. He was awarded four Bronze Stars, including two for valor. Waltz also served as a policy adviser in the Pentagon under defense secretaries Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates.
In Congress , Waltz has consistently championed a stronger defense policy. He emphasized the need to re-prioritize the military, saying, “I am ready to get to work to better equip our military and turn our focus away from woke priorities and back to winning wars. Our national security depends on it.”
Welcomed Support
Richard Goldberg, who served in Trump’s National Security Council, praised Waltz as an impressive pick, citing his military and legislative experience. “With fires raging across the world right now, Waltz is well positioned to help the President put out those fires,” said Goldberg.
With Waltz as his national security adviser, Trump gains a strategic thinker ready to address pressing security issues, from aiding Ukraine to monitoring North Korea-Russia ties and countering Iran’s influence in the Middle East.
Trump Announces Key Appointments
President-elect Trump has also nominated Republican Representative Elise Stefanik to serve as the next US Ambassador to the United Nations, according to CNN. Trump praised Stefanik, describing her as “an incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter.” He stated, “I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as US Ambassador to the United Nations.”
Stefanik, currently the House Republican Conference Chair, holds the title of the most senior Republican in New York. She first made history in 2014 as the youngest woman ever elected to Congress .
In addition to Stefanik’s appointment, Trump named Tom Homan, former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during his previous term, to manage the nation’s border security.
Trump’s Historic Political Comeback
In a historic comeback, Trump secured a second term as President of the United States in the 2024 election, winning 295 electoral votes and defeating Democratic opponent Kamala Harris , who received 226 votes. This victory makes Trump the first US president since 1892 to return to office after losing a prior election.
Trump’s re-election is only the second time in US history that a president has served non-consecutive terms, with Grover Cleveland being the first, serving in 1884 and 1892. Trump previously held the presidency from 2016 to 2020.
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