Mike Waltz appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday for his confirmation hearing as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. In his opening remarks, Waltz expressed a commitment to make the world body “great again,” mirroring a campaign message from President Donald Trump focused on the revitalization of America.
Waltz stated, “We should have one place in the world where everyone can talk — where China, Russia, Europe and the developing world can come together and resolve conflicts.” He criticized the U.N. for drifting from its core mission of peacemaking over its 80-year history.
This hearing marked Waltz’s first public engagement since his ouster as national security adviser, where he faced scrutiny after mistakenly adding a journalist to a sensitive military planning chat. The incident was not addressed until over an hour into the session.
The U.N. ambassadorship is the last cabinet position that President Trump is looking to fill after a prolonged nomination process. Waltz, a former congressman from Florida, was introduced by Senators Mike Lee and Rick Scott, who characterized him as a skilled negotiator with deep policy experience.
Senator Lee emphasized the importance of Waltz’s potential leadership, stating, “With Waltz at the helm, the U.N. will have what I regard as what should be its last chance to demonstrate its actual value to the United States.” He asserted that this opportunity could enable the Security Council to prove itself by acting effectively to settle disputes and broker deals rather than prioritizing progressive political virtue signaling.
During the hearing, lawmakers had their first chance to scrutinize Waltz regarding the Signal chat incident from March. Senator Chris Coons of Delaware pointed out that utilizing Signal—a private messaging app—to discuss highly sensitive information was inappropriate and represented a breach of security protocols. He remarked, “We both know Signal is not an appropriate and secure means of communicating highly sensitive information.”
Waltz defended his actions, claiming that the discussion met administration cybersecurity standards and that no classified information was disclosed. He noted that the military was still conducting an ongoing investigation into the matter and found himself in fundamental disagreement with Senator Coons regarding the severity of the issue.
After taking responsibility for the mishap, criticism shifted toward Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who had also shared sensitive military plans in the same chat. While Trump voiced his support for Hegseth, Waltz was removed from his adviser position in May, subsequently leading to his nomination for the U.N. role.
Trump praised Waltz during the announcement of his nomination, highlighting his commitment to prioritizing U.S. interests.
Previously, Rep. Elise Stefanik had been the first nominee for the position, but her confirmation hearing was abruptly withdrawn amid concerns about potential risks to the House GOP’s slim majority.
Should he be confirmed, Waltz will enter the U.N. at a time of substantial change and uncertainty. The organization is currently reeling from budget cuts initiated by Trump, which affected vital humanitarian aid programs. Analysts predict additional U.S. funding reductions could hinder the U.N.’s operations.
The Trump administration has adopted an “America First” foreign policy which has led to a reevaluation of the U.N. and its agencies. Officials have claimed that many branches of the organization have strayed from their original purpose and have acted against U.S. interests while criticizing its allies.
As the largest contributor to the U.N., any cuts to the U.S. funding could significantly impact its ability to operate effectively. Faced with financial constraints, the U.N. has been working to reduce staffing levels and streamline projects in response to the fiscal challenges created by diminishing contributions.
The effectiveness of the U.N. in fostering peace and conflict resolution has come under increasing scrutiny, with critics highlighting issues of efficiency and power within the organization. Former U.S. ambassador to the U.N., John Bolton, recently described the current state of the U.N. as “probably in the worst shape it’s been in since it was founded.”
In line with the previous nominee’s strategy, Waltz expressed a commitment to addressing what he referred to as “deep antisemitism” within the U.N. and combating global influences from adversarial nations like China. Demonstrating a commitment to scrutinizing U.S. funding to U.N. agencies, he asserted, “The U.S. must ensure that every foreign aid dollar and every contribution to an international organization, particularly the U.N., draws a straight and direct line to compelling U.S. national interest.”
Waltz specifically targeted the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA), advocating for its termination due to alleged misconduct among its staff and its perceived facilitation of antisemitism. This criticism was anchored in Israel’s claims that 19 UNRWA employees had participated in recent violent actions against them, although the agency stated it took action against those employees based on internal investigations.
The U.N. has faced mounting concerns that funding and collaboration with certain nations have led to anti-American sentiment, a viewpoint supported by Waltz as he set forth a vision for his potential tenure in office. He indicated an emphasis on reviewing U.N. expenditures and eliminating what he characterized as waste and inefficiency.
“Despite the cuts, the US is by far the most generous nation in the world,” Waltz remarked, aiming to counter arguments that reduced funding would diminish U.S. global influence. He indicated that some of the U.N.-funded projects have been deemed exploitative, often receiving contributions from nations that the administration perceives as enemies.
Waltz remains on the White House payroll and has been receiving an annual salary of $195,200 despite his earlier dismissal as national security adviser. A White House official suggested his retention was intended to facilitate a smooth transition into the new role, given the significant demands associated with the ambassadorship.
An accomplished Green Beret and a prominent figure in the House of Representatives, Waltz remains a topic of interest in political circles, following his reelection to a fourth term just prior to his nomination for the U.N. position. As he steps into the spotlight at this critical juncture for the U.N., all eyes will be on Waltz to see how he navigates the complexities and challenges of the role.
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