National security adviser Michael Waltz is expected to depart his post, according to numerous media reports citing anonymous U.S. officials.
NBC News has not independently confirmed these reports.
Waltz, a former Florida congressman, came under fire in March after a journalist was mistakenly added to a group chat with other top administration officials about U.S. milit plans in Yemen. Screenshots of the Signal chat shared by The Atlantic showed that a user named “Michael Waltz” initially added the magazine’s top editor, Jeffrey Goldberg, to the high-level discussion.
Trump publicly stood by Waltz in the days after The Atlantic report, telling NBC News, “Michael Waltz has learned a lesson, and he’s a good man.”
But speaking with reporters from The Atlantic last week, Trump was less steadfast. Trump said Defense Secret Pete Hegseth, who also participated in the group chat, was “safe.”
“Does he stay longer than Mike Waltz?,” The Atlantic’s Ashley Parker asked.
“Waltz is fine,” Trump said. “I mean, he’s here. He just left this office. He’s fine. He was beat up also.”
Waltz did not appear to be present at a Rose Garden ceremony Thursday morning attended by the president and many other senior administration officials.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
