In a move that highlights the ongoing fallout from a major internal communications breach, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz plans to resign from his role in the Trump White House, according to multiple sources familiar with internal discussions. Waltz and his deputy, Alex Wong, are expected to leave their posts this Thursday amid controversy surrounding a mishandled Signal messaging chat that involved high-level national security officials.
Political journalist Mark Halperin first reported the development. Although President Donald Trump has not yet made a formal announcement, sources within the National Security Council (NSC) confirm that the decision is effectively final.
As of Wednesday evening, the White House Press Office had not issued a statement. Both Waltz and Wong have declined to comment, and CBS News and other outlets report receiving no official response to their inquiries.
Fallout from a Botched Signal Chat
The roots of Waltz’s departure can be traced back to a private Signal chat initiated in early March. According to insiders, Waltz created a group to discuss potential military actions targeting Houthi rebels in Yemen, a high-stakes topic with classified implications. But in a critical misstep, Waltz mistakenly added Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic, to the chat thread.
The inclusion of a journalist in a sensitive national security conversation immediately set off alarms across federal departments. Although Goldberg initially refrained from publishing operational details, he later released specifics after receiving confirmation from several involved parties. That reporting included strike timelines and descriptions of weapons packages—information typically handled at the highest classification levels.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard (a controversial appointment from the previous administration), and CIA Director John Ratcliffe all issued public denials that any classified information had been disseminated improperly. But when Waltz confirmed the accuracy of Goldberg’s reporting behind closed doors, debate erupted inside the White House over whether he should resign.
Trump, known for valuing loyalty above all else, opted not to force Waltz out at the time. Instead, he offered public support, calling Waltz “a good man” who had “learned a lesson.”
Trump World’s Delicate Balancing Act
According to one National Security Council official familiar with internal deliberations, Trump believed that removing Waltz immediately after the Signal incident would make it appear as if he was capitulating to outside pressure—something the president has consistently resisted. However, the passage of time, combined with other staff departures, has allowed Trump’s team to reframe the move as part of a broader organizational restructuring.
“It’s about optics,” said a senior Republican strategist with knowledge of the situation. “You don’t want to look like you’re caving. But now, with Waltz and Wong leaving together, it looks more like a fresh start than a purge.”
The reshuffle at the NSC is reportedly being overseen by Susie Wiles, Trump’s chief of staff and one of his most trusted political strategists. Wiles has been holding one-on-one meetings with NSC staffers this week to discuss the future direction of the team, sources said.
Alex Wong’s Quiet Exit
Wong, who also plans to depart this Thursday, has long held a low public profile despite significant responsibilities. A veteran of the first Trump administration, Wong served as Deputy Special Representative for North Korea and as Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the State Department. He played a key role in organizing the historic 2018 summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which was hailed at the time as a potential breakthrough in U.S.-North Korea relations.
Reached by phone this week, Wong declined to comment on his resignation, in line with the administration’s current media strategy of keeping the story low-profile.
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Who’s Next?
The looming vacancies at the top of the National Security Council (NSC) have sparked intense speculation about potential replacements. According to sources close to the administration, Steve Witkoff, the Middle East envoy, will likely not receive the appointment, despite earlier rumors suggesting otherwise.
Instead, two names have surfaced as frontrunners: Stephen Miller, a longtime senior adviser and former White House deputy chief of staff under Donald Trump, and Sebastian Gorka, a British-Hungarian-American media personality known for his controversial views on counterterrorism. Both men strongly support Trump’s America First doctrine and bring the kind of loyalty the former president values.
Meanwhile, officials have ruled out Ric Grenell for the NSC role. Grenell, who currently serves as the special presidential envoy for special missions, told reporters last week that he has “no interest” in the
Internal Turmoil at the NSC
The departures of Waltz and Wong mark the latest shakeups inside the National Security Council (NSC). Earlier this month, the Trump administration dismissed at least six NSC staffers after far-right activist and commentator Laura Loomer visited the Oval Office.
Sources say Loomer gave former President Donald Trump a dossier accusing several staff members of being “neoconservatives” or otherwise disloyal to his agenda. Though the full contents of Loomer’s so-called “opposition research” remain unclear, the fallout came quickly—Trump allies pushed out the targeted employees within days. The swift purge deepened concerns about an ongoing ideological cleansing within Trump’s national security circle.
“It’s become a loyalty test,” said one former NSC official, who requested anonymity. “If you’re not 100 percent MAGA, you’re expendable.”
Now, national security experts are closely watching the Waltz case for signs of deeper scrutiny into the use of encrypted messaging apps like Signal for official government business. While journalists, activists, and technologists commonly use Signal for secure communication, its role in federal operations raises questions—especially when officials use it inappropriately or without oversight.
Broader Implications for U.S. Foreign Policy
The sudden exit of top U.S. national security officials during a volatile period—marked by escalating tensions with Iran, increasing Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea, and growing strategic pressure from China and Russia—has alarmed foreign policy experts.
Analysts warn that the Trump White House’s internal turmoil could trigger erratic policy shifts and disrupt inter-agency coordination.
“Leadership turnover is always disruptive,” said Ilan Goldenberg, Director of the Middle East Security Program at the Center for a New American Security. “But in this case, it’s happening at a time when we need maximum cohesion across defense and intelligence agencies.”
Now, officials are watching closely to see if the Waltz incident will lead to broader scrutiny of encrypted messaging apps like Signal, which many journalists and activists use for secure communication. While these platforms provide valuable privacy protections, their use in official government affairs raises serious questions—especially when used without oversight.
What Happens Next?
With the 2024 presidential election behind him and his second non-consecutive term underway, Donald Trump continues to reshape the nation’s security leadership. According to insiders, the president is actively choosing individuals who align not just with his policies, but also with his signature governing style—combative, secretive, and fiercely loyal.
These personnel shifts could either stabilize or further fragment the National Security Council (NSC). What’s clear, however, is that Mike Waltz‘s departure—triggered by a scandal that revealed serious lapses in judgment and protocol—marks a critical juncture in Trump’s evolving foreign policy.
Until the White House names an official successor, the NSC remains in a state of uncertainty, and so does America’s strategic posture on the global stage.
