Here’s what to expect from Mike Waltz’s confirmation hearings for UN ambassador

The political landscape in Washington D.C. is once again abuzz with the news of former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz’s exit from the White House and his potential nomination as the United Nations ambassador by President Donald Trump. However, before Waltz can assume this new role, he must navigate through a Senate confirmation process that is likely to be fraught with challenges.

The recent exposure of a Signal group chat involving Waltz’s team discussing strikes against the Houthis in March has cast a shadow over his nomination. While Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth faced more scrutiny in relation to the chat, Waltz is not immune to criticism. Democrats are keen to use his nomination as a platform to air their grievances against other foreign policy leaders in the Trump administration, particularly Hegseth.

Despite the hurdles Waltz faces, he is expected to garner support from establishment Republicans in the Senate who were not fully on board with Hegseth’s nomination. One Florida GOP source noted that Waltz has managed to strike a balance between traditional conservative foreign policy voices and the more populist America First policy voices.

Waltz’s background as a retired Army National Guard colonel and former Green Beret with four deployments to Afghanistan and four Bronze Stars adds weight to his nomination. However, his exit from the White House was also linked to other issues, including reportedly treating White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles disrespectfully.

As Waltz prepares for the Senate confirmation process, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will temporarily step into the role of national security advisor. While Trump initially nominated Rep. Elise Stefanik for the U.N. ambassador position, her nomination was rescinded due to concerns about losing another Republican seat in the House.

The exact timeline for Waltz’s confirmation vote is unclear, but the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has indicated that his nomination is a priority. The 80th session of the U.N. General Assembly is scheduled for September, giving Waltz some time to navigate through the confirmation process.

While there may be some Republican opposition to Waltz’s nomination, it is unlikely to derail his appointment. Vice President JD Vance, among others, has expressed support for Waltz’s nomination, emphasizing the importance of a strong national security team under President Trump.

As the political drama unfolds in Washington, all eyes will be on Waltz as he seeks to secure confirmation as the United Nations ambassador and navigate the challenges that lie ahead.