On November 13, 2024, it was reported that President-elect Donald Trump (Trump) has officially appointed Republican Congressman Michael Waltz from Florida as the National Security Advisor. Trump, in a statement announcing his latest cabinet pick on Tuesday, November 12, said, “Michael Waltz has always been a steadfast supporter of my ‘America First’ foreign policy agenda, and he will also be a great supporter of our pursuit of peace through strength!”
Michael Waltz is the first elected member of Congress from the “Green Berets” (a special forces unit within the U.S. Army), having previously served in the White House and the Pentagon. Additionally, he served 27 years in the Army Special Forces, was deployed multiple times to the frontlines, and has been awarded four Bronze Star Medals, two of which are for acts of valor.
“Waltz, a retired colonel, is a nationally recognized national security leader, bestselling author, and expert on researching threats posed by China (the CCP), Russia, Iran, and global terrorism,” the statement read.
Waltz is a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. He graduated from the Virginia Military Institute with honors.
In his new role, Waltz will assist Trump in addressing a series of national security crises, including how to continue providing weapons to Ukraine, dealing with the increasingly close military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, easing tensions in the Middle East, and confronting the challenges posed by the CCP worldwide.
The National Security Advisor is a crucial position that does not require Senate confirmation. Waltz will be responsible for briefing Trump on key national security issues and coordinating with various agencies.
Before the election, Waltz publicly advocated for the new president to take immediate action to end the conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East, ultimately focusing strategic attention on countering the greater threat from the Chinese Communist Party.
He also stated that the next president must change America’s foreign policy direction to bring Putin to the negotiating table. He suggested increasing U.S. defense spending and revitalizing the defense industry base to ensure the military’s capability to resist a potential Chinese mainland attack on Taiwan.
Earlier this year, Waltz published a new book titled “Hard Truths: Think and Lead Like a Green Beret.” In the book, Waltz presents a strategic plan consisting of five steps aimed at deterring China and preventing war between the U.S. and China, including arming Taiwan faster, reassuring Pacific allies, and modernizing aircraft and ships.