President Donald Trump said Sunday he plans to appoint a new national security advisor in about six months. Speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump clarified that Mike Waltz didn’t resign — he was promoted. Waltz has been tapped as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
“I didn’t lose confidence in him,” Trump said. “He’s going to the United Nations for a reason.” He called the move an “upgrade” and said Waltz would do a good job in the new role. “There was no resignation,” he added. “I moved him.”
Waltz’s departure marks one of the highest-profile exits from Trump’s second-term executive team. The announcement of his new post came just hours after news of the shakeup leaked. Trump emphasized that Waltz made no mistakes in his former role.
The president said he would name a new national security advisor within six months. Until then, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will handle the responsibilities. Trump said many want the job.
Asked if Stephen Miller was a contender, Trump gave a cryptic nod. “Stephen Miller at the top of the totem pole?” he said. “I think he sort of indirectly already has that job.” Trump described Miller as a “very valued person in the administration.”
Trump also fielded questions about upcoming trade deals. He said announcements could be coming soon but declined to give specifics. “Nobody understands,” he said. “I set the deal. They don’t set the deal.”
He confirmed negotiations were underway with multiple countries, including China. Trump said if countries don’t accept the terms, that’s fine. “Now we’re not dealing with China at all because of the tariffs,” he added.
“We’re saving billions of dollars,” Trump said. “We lost under Biden. We’re losing $5 billion a day.” He said he’ll continue setting tariffs until countries agree to fair terms.
Trump also confirmed he offered to send U.S. troops into Mexico to fight the cartels. “It’s true because they should be,” he said. “They are horrible people… destroying other people’s lives.”
He blamed the cartels for the fentanyl crisis, which he says has killed over 300,000 Americans this year. “If Mexico wanted help, we would be honored to go in,” Trump said. He claimed President Claudia Sheinbaum rejected the offer out of fear, saying she “can’t even think straight.”