Mike Waltz, national security advisor to President Donald Trump, is stepping down from his role following the fallout from an accidental leak involving a Signal group chat about Yemen airstrikes. His departure, along with that of deputy advisor Alex Wong, comes just over 100 days into Trump’s second term.
The controversy began when Waltz mistakenly invited a journalist into a Signal chat where top officials were discussing sensitive military plans. Although Trump initially defended Waltz, calling it a mistake and insisting he wouldn’t be fired, the internal strain reportedly grew behind the scenes. Trump began referring to the incident as “Signalgate.”
The chat included high-ranking officials such as Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Vice President JD Vance. Discussions in the chat reportedly involved precise details of planned U.S. airstrikes against the Houthi movement in Yemen. Screenshots later surfaced showing messages with exact strike times.
Waltz took public responsibility shortly after the story broke, calling the mistake “embarrassing.” Despite denying that any classified material was shared, his position became increasingly untenable amid growing scrutiny and internal reshuffling influenced by far-right activists.
This marks the first major resignation of Trump’s new term. Waltz, a former Green Beret and congressman from Florida, had built a career in national defense and intelligence. He previously served in combat, worked at the Pentagon, and advised Vice President Dick Cheney on counterterrorism.
His resignation underscores the ongoing challenges facing Trump’s administration as it navigates internal leaks and national security issues.
