Mike Waltz Faces Senate Scrutiny for U.N. Ambassador Nomination

On July 15, 2025, Mike Waltz, President Donald Trump's nominee for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for his confirmation hearing. This session marked Waltz's first public testimony since his dismissal as National Security Advisor in May 2025, following the "Signalgate" incident, where he inadvertently included a journalist in a private Signal chat discussing sensitive military plans.

During the hearing, Waltz pledged to revitalize the United Nations, echoing President Trump's "make it great again" message. He criticized the organization for deviating from its original peacekeeping mission and emphasized priorities such as reducing Chinese influence, reassessing U.S. funding, and addressing perceived antisemitism within the U.N.

The hearing provided senators an opportunity to question Waltz about his previous role and the circumstances leading to his dismissal. While some senators focused on the "Signalgate" incident, others discussed broader foreign policy issues, including the U.S. approach to international organizations and global diplomacy.

Waltz's nomination comes at a time when the Trump administration has been critical of the U.N., citing inefficiencies and perceived biases. The administration has slashed foreign assistance, affecting the U.N.'s humanitarian aid agencies, and anticipates further U.S. funding cuts to the U.N. annual budget. This financial instability has led the U.N. to shed jobs and consolidate projects while beginning to tackle long-delayed reforms.

John Bolton, a former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. and national security adviser during Trump's first term, criticized the current state of the U.N., stating, "It's probably in the worst shape it's been in since it was founded."

If confirmed, Waltz would assume the ambassadorial role during a period of significant change and scrutiny for the U.N. His stance aligns with the administration's "America First" policy and the broader effort by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to downsize the federal government and reshape American diplomacy.

Waltz spent the last several weeks meeting with Democrats and Republicans on the Foreign Affairs committee. Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth said Monday that she and Waltz discussed a wide range of issues, including whether the Trump administration would use the U.N. to strengthen alliances and combat Chinese influence.

Even with Democratic opposition, Waltz only needs a majority in the 53-47 Senate, which Republicans control.

Waltz, whose Florida House seat was filled during a special election earlier this year, has spent the last few months on the White House payroll despite being removed as national security adviser. The latest list of White House salaries, current as of July 1, includes Waltz earning an annual salary of $195,200.

A White House official, granted anonymity to discuss personnel matters, said Waltz stayed on to "ensure a smooth and successful transition given the extreme importance of the role of NSA."

Waltz was the first Green Beret elected to the House and easily won reelection for a fourth term in November before Trump asked him to join the administration.

The confirmation hearing underscored the complexities of Waltz's nomination, intertwining personal accountability with broader foreign policy objectives. As the Senate deliberates, the outcome will significantly influence the future direction of U.S. engagement with the United Nations.