Fact Check: Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz was dismissed amid a major shakeup.

Fact Check: "Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz was dismissed amid a major shakeup."

What We Know

On May 1, 2025, President Donald Trump announced that he would be nominating Mike Waltz, the national security adviser, to serve as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. This announcement came shortly after reports surfaced that Waltz and his deputy were leaving the administration, marking a significant shakeup in Trump's national security team (AP News, Reuters).

Waltz's departure followed scrutiny over a "Signal chat" incident, where he mistakenly added a journalist to a private messaging group discussing sensitive military operations. This incident reportedly led to criticism from various quarters, including members of Trump's inner circle (Reuters, Fox News).

In the interim, Secretary of State Marco Rubio was appointed to take over Waltz's duties as national security adviser (PBS). Waltz's transition to the UN role means he will face a Senate confirmation hearing, where he is expected to be questioned about the Signal chat incident (AP News, CNN).

Analysis

The claim that Mike Waltz was dismissed amid a major shakeup is partially true. While it is accurate that Waltz is leaving his position as national security adviser and has been nominated for a new role, the characterization of his departure as a "dismissal" is nuanced.

Vice President JD Vance emphasized that the media's portrayal of Waltz's exit as a firing was misleading, noting that Trump often does not give Senate-confirmed appointments to those he dismisses (AP News). This suggests that while Waltz is indeed leaving his post, it may not fit the traditional definition of being "dismissed" in the sense of a termination without further opportunity.

Moreover, the context of Waltz's departure is critical. It follows a scandal that raised questions about his judgment, which could have influenced the decision to move him to a different role rather than outright dismissal. The White House maintained that no classified information was shared during the incident, and Trump publicly supported Waltz throughout the controversy (Reuters, Fox News).

The sources reporting on this event vary in their framing, with some emphasizing the shakeup aspect and others focusing on the circumstances surrounding Waltz's exit. This discrepancy highlights the importance of considering multiple perspectives when evaluating claims about political events.

Conclusion

The claim that "Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz was dismissed amid a major shakeup" is partially true. While Waltz is indeed leaving his position and there is a significant restructuring of the national security team, the term "dismissed" may not fully capture the nature of his transition to the UN ambassador role. Instead, it appears to be a strategic move following scrutiny rather than a straightforward firing.

Fact Check: Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz was dismissed amid a major shakeup.