The Senate on Friday confirmed Mike Waltz, former White House national security adviser, as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Waltz is expected to participate in next week’s U.N. General Assembly in New York City. Three Democrats—Mark Kelly of Arizona, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania—supported his confirmation, while Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) was the sole Republican to oppose it.
Republican Senate leadership did not advance Waltz’s separate nomination to serve as U.S. representative to the General Assembly. The impact of this decision on his role during the Senate’s recess remains unclear. Waltz’s confirmation faced delays as Democrats challenged the process, alleging violations of Senate rules by the Foreign Relations Committee.
Trump administration allies, including strategist Jason Miller, urged leaders to expedite Waltz’s approval ahead of the U.N. General Assembly. “THANK YOU President Trump & the U.S. Senate for your trust and confidence to Make the UN Great Again,” Waltz stated.
Waltz was nominated in May after serving as Trump’s national security adviser since 2017. His tenure with Trump had been strained since March, when he inadvertently shared a private Signal conversation about Yemen military strikes with a journalist. At his Senate hearing, Waltz emphasized U.N. reform, including reviewing U.S. funding and addressing antisemitism.
Previously a House member from 2019 to 2025, Waltz replaces acting ambassador Dorothy Shea, who held the post since the start of Trump’s second term. The nomination process followed the withdrawal of Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., from consideration in March due to concerns over GOP legislative priorities.