Former President Donald Trump’s Cabinet is now officially complete, following the Senate’s narrow confirmation of Mike Waltz as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. The 47–45 vote brought bipartisan support, with Democratic Senators John Fetterman (Pa.), Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), and Mark Kelly (Ariz.) crossing party lines to back the nomination. Republican Senator Rand Paul (Ky.) stood as the lone GOP opponent, having also voted against Waltz in committee.
Waltz’s confirmation closes a nearly nine-month vacancy in the post and comes just ahead of the U.N. General Assembly convening in New York next week.
A Former Congressman Turned Diplomat
Waltz, a retired Army National Guard colonel and former Green Beret, previously served as a Republican congressman from Florida. Before that, he worked on the National Security Council as Trump’s national security advisor — a stint that ended abruptly after the so-called “Signalgate” incident.
That controversy erupted when Waltz accidentally added a journalist to a secure group chat where senior officials, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Vice President JD Vance, were discussing military strikes in Yemen. Waltz accepted responsibility, telling Fox News’ Laura Ingraham at the time, “It’s embarrassing. We’re going to get to the bottom of it.”
Trump’s Last-Minute Switch
Trump initially planned to nominate Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) for the U.N. role but backed off, citing fears that losing her seat could jeopardize his legislative agenda in the closely divided House. Waltz became Trump’s choice in May, described as someone who could represent U.S. interests without costing the administration a crucial House vote.
A Call to Refocus the U.N.
During his confirmation hearing, Waltz said he wants to reform the U.N. and restore its core mission of peacemaking.
“We should have one place in the world where everyone can talk,” he said. “Where China, Russia, Europe, the developing world, can come together and resolve conflicts. But after 80 years, it’s drifted from its core mission of peacemaking.”
With his confirmation, Waltz now heads to New York to represent the United States on the world stage—marking the final seat filled in Trump’s second-term Cabinet.
