Trump fires National Security Adviser over embarrassing security breach

President Donald Trump has dismissed his National Security Adviser, Michael Waltz, following an embarrassing security breach involving a classified group chat on Signal, sources have confirmed.

Waltz reportedly added Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg by mistake to a private messaging group where senior U.S. officials were discussing planned military operations against Houthi rebels in Yemen. Goldberg subsequently published the chat’s content, sparking outrage and a media firestorm.

The Daily Mail reported Waltz’s ouster, marking the first high-level firing of Trump’s second term.

The fallout from what’s being dubbed “Signalgate” intensified pressure on Waltz and his deputy, Alex Wong. “This has to do about competence, not ideology,” journalist Mark Halperin commented on his 2Way YouTube show. He added, “I do believe he has made up his mind, but he could change his mind.”

Halperin also reported “unhappiness throughout the national security establishment” with Waltz’s handling of the incident.

Despite the controversy, Waltz had remained in his post for several weeks, even appearing on Fox and Friends Thursday morning to tout a minerals deal with Ukraine as “good for the American taxpayer” and “good for Ukraine.” He also took part in a Cabinet meeting with Trump on Wednesday.

Sources said that Waltz’s removal had been expected, and an official announcement is anticipated soon.

Among those being considered as Waltz’s replacement is Steve Witkoff, a special envoy who has previously met with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The blunder undermined Waltz’s credibility, despite his attempts to clarify how the journalist was included in the chat. In an interview with Fox News’ Laura Ingraham, he explained: “Well, if you have somebody else’s contact and then it, and then somehow it gets sucked in.”

While Trump had initially resisted firing Waltz—reportedly to avoid giving Goldberg satisfaction—his support appeared lukewarm in a recent Atlantic interview: “Waltz is fine. I mean, he’s here. He just left this office. He’s fine. He was beat up also.”