The U.S. Senate has confirmed Mike Waltz as Ambassador to the United Nations in a narrow 47–43 vote. Waltz, who previously served as President Trump’s National Security Advisor until his dismissal in May, will fill the long-vacant role just days before the UN General Assembly begins.
By a 47–43 margin, the Senate confirmed Mike Waltz as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, finalizing the last major appointment to President Trump’s cabinet after months of political wrangling and controversy over Waltz’s recent ouster as National Security Advisor.
Mike Waltz will immediately assume his post as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations following Senate confirmation in a closely contested 47–43 vote. Three Democrats John Fetterman, Mark Kelly, and Jeanne Shaheen joined most Republicans to secure his appointment, while Senator Rand Paul was the lone Republican to oppose him.
Waltz, a former congressman from Florida, briefly held the position of National Security Advisor in the Trump administration until his removal in May following a misstep involving the inadvertent addition of a journalist to a private messaging chat with top security officials. Despite the controversy, President Trump nominated Waltz for the high-profile diplomatic post in May, after withdrawing the previous nominee, Rep. Elise Stefanik. Waltz’s confirmation concludes an eight-month gap in the key diplomatic role, and he is expected to join world leaders for critical meetings at the United Nations next week.
During his confirmation hearings, Waltz emphasized the need for broad UN reform, arguing that the global body has strayed from its peacemaking mission. As the new ambassador, he inherits a challenging diplomatic stage, especially as conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza persist and with U.S. funding cuts looming over the UN’s humanitarian programs. Waltz is expected to prioritize reforms, counter antisemitism, and strengthen U.S. competitiveness against China in the UN, in line with administration policy
