Former national security adviser Mike Waltz has been confirmed by the US Senate as the United States ambassador to the United Nations, according to AP reports. The vote on Friday was 47 in favor and 43 against, largely along party lines.
Some Democrats, including Senators John Fetterman, Mark Kelly, and Jeanne Shaheen, joined Republicans in supporting him, while Republican Senator Rand Paul voted with Democrats. Ten senators did not cast a vote.
Timing Ahead of UN General Assembly
Waltz’s confirmation comes just in time for next week’s UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. While confirmed as ambassador to the UN and US representative on the Security Council, it remains unclear if he will officially attend the UNGA gathering.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said: “We are ready to receive his credentials as soon as the U.S. side is ready.”
Why Mike Waltz Was Fired Before
Waltz previously faced criticism for one of the most significant intelligence breaches in US history, as reported by AP.
While serving as national security adviser under President Trump, Waltz accidentally added a journalist from The Atlantic to a private Signal messaging group used by top officials. The group discussed an imminent US bombing campaign against Yemen’s Houthis, which The Atlantic subsequently reported.
Following the incident, President Trump removed Waltz from his national security adviser role. Trump later nominated him as US ambassador to the UN, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio named as Waltz’s interim replacement in the national security role.
Waltz’s Role as UN Ambassador
As the US ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz will:
- Represent the U.S. at the UN
- Serve on the Security Council
- Oversee U.S. diplomatic efforts at international forums
This role positions Waltz at the forefront of U.S. foreign policy during key UN discussions.
