(A)Political - May 3rd

Good morning everyone,

Several shakeups in and outside of Capitol Hill this week, and I’m here for it. Let’s jump in!

Rubio is in and Mike Waltz is out as the National Security Advisor. The Attorney General of Florida is now risking jail time by defying a federal court’s order to halt arrests and detentions of illegal immigrants. Funding for NPR & PBS is now removed going forward, as Trump has signed an executive order stating that all federal dollars will no longer go towards the two public media outlets

• Rubio In, Waltz Out

• Florida AG Defies Court Order, Risks Jail Over Immigration Law

• Trump Executive Order : Federal Funding For PBS & NPR Is Gone

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Rubio In, Waltz Out

_{By: Atlas}

President Donald Trump on Thursday dismissed National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and tapped Secretary of State Marco Rubio to serve as acting NSA while retaining his cabinet post. In the same statement, Trump said he will nominate Waltz to be the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, signaling a rapid reshuffle at the top of his national‑security team less than four months into his second term.​​

The Signal Chat Leak

Waltz’s troubles trace back to late March, when Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg revealed he had been inadvertently added to a Signal group chat where senior officials—including Waltz, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Vice President JD Vance—discussed imminent airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. Waltz acknowledged creating the chat and accepted responsibility, calling the episode “embarrassing” but denying any classified data were shared.​ The White House initially tried to contain the fallout, insisting the case was closed, yet the leak fueled bipartisan concern over operational security.

Internal Friction and Political Headwinds

Beyond the messaging mishap, insiders say Waltz clashed with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and drew ire from pro‑Trump activists who resurfaced a 2016 primary‑era video in which the then‑congressional candidate criticized Trump’s remarks about prisoners of war.​​

His standing further eroded as conservative influencers accused him of “Bush‑era hawkishness,” a liability for a president intent on portraying himself as a deal‑maker rather than a warmonger. Trump loyalists concluded Waltz had become a distraction during sensitive negotiations with Russia, Iran, and China.

The Decision to Remove Waltz

According to multiple officials, Trump resisted making senior personnel changes during his first 100 days but ultimately concluded that the national security team needed “a fresh start” heading into summer summits with NATO and the G‑7. Waltz attended a cabinet meeting on Wednesday with no visible sign of trouble, only to learn Thursday morning that a formal announcement was imminent.​ Deputy NSA Alex Wong and several lower‑level staffers were also shown the door, reflecting what one aide called a “house‑cleaning” of the NSC’s Yemen planning cell.

Rubio Steps Into a Dual Role

Rubio becomes the first American in decades to hold both the secretary of state and national security advisor positions simultaneously, albeit in an interim capacity. The Florida Republican, long viewed as one of Trump’s most trusted foreign‑policy lieutenants, has spent the past three months overseeing a realignment of U.S. alliances in Asia and pressing Europe to shoulder more defense spending. Officials say he will lean on Deputy Secretary Kathryn Wheelbarger for day‑to‑day State Department management while focusing personally on the NSC’s strategic reviews of Ukraine and Iran.​​

Waltz’s Path to the United Nations

Trump praised Waltz’s “battlefield grit and congressional experience” and predicted the former Green Beret would bring “sharp focus on American interests” to the United Nations.​ If confirmed by the Senate, Waltz would replace acting Ambassador Robert O’Brien, restoring Cabinet‑level status to the UN post. The move spares Waltz a humiliating exit while giving the administration a combat‑decorated envoy to advocate for the president’s “sovereignty first” agenda in Turtle Bay.

Confirmation Landscape

Democrats quickly signaled skepticism, pointing to the Signal leak as evidence that Waltz exercises poor judgment. Senate Foreign Relations Chair Ben Cardin said he would seek assurances that Waltz “understands the importance of safeguarding sensitive communications.” Some Republicans, however, view the combat veteran as an asset who can counter China and Iran at the UN. Rubio’s dual‑hat role may also mollify GOP hawks concerned about continuity at the NSC during confirmation hearings.

Policy Implications

Rubio’s elevation could accelerate plans to expand missile‑defense deployments in the Indo‑Pacific and to establish a formal security architecture for the Middle East that links Israel with Gulf partners. Aides say he will maintain Waltz’s strategy of calibrated strikes against Houthi launch sites but will emphasize diplomacy with Oman and Egypt to cap escalation. On Russia, Rubio has argued for simultaneous pressure and negotiation—supporting Trump’s push for a cease‑fire in Ukraine while warning Moscow that any assault on NATO territory would trigger overwhelming U.S. response.

An Unconventional Staffing Model

Critics note that juggling Foggy Bottom and the NSC risks over-centralization, but allies say Rubio’s long Senate tenure and existing relationships with foreign ministers make him uniquely suited to bridge interagency gaps. Trump points to the arrangement as proof of his desire for “lean, decisive leadership,” a contrast to what he calls the “bloated bureaucracy” of previous administrations. Insiders add that Rubio’s Spanish fluency and rapport with Latin American leaders could aid negotiations over migration and Venezuelan sanctions—both high on the president’s reelection checklist.

Outlook

Waltz’s departure underscores the precarious nature of senior service in Trump’s second term: even favored appointees can fall quickly amid leaks or perceived disloyalty. Rubio, stepping into a dual role rare in modern governance, will face the immediate test of coordinating an interagency review of Iranian drone shipments to Russia and drafting talking points for next month’s NATO ministerial. Meanwhile, Waltz must pivot from the West Wing’s Situation Room to the Security Council chamber, where he will press skeptical allies to endorse an America‑first approach to global crises. Whether this reshuffle calms internal turbulence or merely postpones it may determine how cohesive U.S. foreign policy looks heading into 2026.

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