President-elect Donald Trump has selected Rep. Mike Waltz of Florida as his national security adviser, according to sources familiar with the decision. The selection of Waltz, a combat-decorated Green Beret and current member of the House Armed Services Committee, places a military veteran with extensive combat experience at the helm of U.S. national security policy.
Waltz served multiple combat tours in Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa before entering Congress in 2019. His military career earned him four Bronze Stars, and he later worked as a Pentagon policy adviser under secretaries Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates. He also served as a counter-terrorism adviser to Vice President Dick Cheney during the Bush administration.
In Congress, Waltz has established himself as a vocal critic of China’s military expansion and influence. Co-writing in The Economist along with Matthew Kroenig, before his appointment, Waltz argued that America had cut defense spending in real terms, allowing the balance of power to shift in China’s favor regarding Taiwan’s defense. As co-chair of the India Caucus, he has advocated for stronger Indo-U.S. ties to counter Chinese regional influence.
The appointment comes as Trump’s administration prepares to reassess several major foreign policy challenges. Waltz will need to address the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, where Trump has proposed a peace plan involving European troops and a buffer zone. The Israel-Hamas conflict continues to demand attention, while Iran’s nuclear program remains a pressing concern.
Speaking to CNN’s Jake Tapper about immigration policy, Waltz expressed particular concern for Afghan allies: “The most upset immigrant I’ve ever talked to is one that came legally, waited years, did everything they were supposed to. And first and foremost is, of those that are upset, are the Afghans who were left behind, who were willing to fight and die with us and are still stuck over there.”
Prior to his 2018 congressional run, The Intercept reported that Waltz managed a defense contracting firm with offices in Afghanistan. This background in military contracting adds a layer of complexity to his oversight of defense policy decisions. He won re-election to his east-central Florida House seat last week, defeating Democrat James Stockton.
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Trump’s choice of Waltz reflects a departure from his experiences with previous national security advisers John Bolton and H.R. McMaster, who later publicly criticized their former boss. The selection aligns with Trump’s strategy of appointing loyalists who support his “America First” agenda while maintaining strong military credentials.
The incoming administration faces immediate challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, where Waltz has consistently pushed for increased military preparedness. His position on Ukraine aligns with Trump’s emphasis on European defense spending, as he stated, “Look again, it’s going to be about securing the border. It’s going to be about stopping the inflow, getting the worst of the worst out.”
Waltz becomes the first former Green Beret to hold the position of national security adviser. His military background and congressional experience signal a potential shift toward more assertive positions on Chinese military expansion, Taiwan defense, and Indo-Pacific alliances. European allies are watching carefully, given Trump’s previous NATO skepticism and Waltz’s focus on Asian security priorities.
In the aftermath of the Afghanistan withdrawal, Waltz called for Biden to reverse course and relaunch military operations in the region. Government reports have detailed that U.S. nation-building efforts resulted in the deaths of more than 48,000 civilians and 66,000 Afghan police and military personnel.
As Trump fills other key administration positions, including roles such as border czar, EPA administrator, and UN ambassador, Waltz’s appointment represents a convergence of military experience and political loyalty that will shape U.S. foreign policy in the coming years. His role as national security adviser will particularly influence U.S.-China relations, European defense cooperation, and military readiness in potential conflict zones.
