Encyclopedia · Biography
Michael Waltz
Army Green Beret, former White House national security adviser and U.S. ambassador to the U.N.
Personal details
- Full name
- Michael George Waltz
- Born
- January 31, 1974, Boynton Beach, Florida
- Education
- Virginia Military Institute, B.A. (1996)
- Military
- U.S. Army Special Forces; retired colonel
- Spouse
- Julia Nesheiwat
- Offices
- U.S. House (2019–January 2025); national security adviser (2025); U.N. ambassador (since September 2025)
Mike Waltz is an American former Army Special Forces officer, Republican congressman and diplomat. He served briefly as President Donald Trump’s national security adviser in 2025 and later became U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
Military and professional background
Waltz graduated from Virginia Military Institute in 1996 and served for decades in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve, including combat assignments in Afghanistan. Before serving in Congress he held staff positions at the Defense Department and in the vice president’s office, and worked as a businessman and commentator.
Congress and White House
Waltz represented Florida’s 6th congressional district from 2019 until January 20, 2025. He served on military, foreign-policy and intelligence committees. Trump appointed him national security adviser in January 2025; he left that White House role later in 2025 amid scrutiny of a Signal group chat that included an unintended journalist participant. The report of the incident should be kept separate from unsupported claims about intent.
United Nations position
The Senate confirmed Waltz as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations September 19, 2025. His wife, Julia Nesheiwat, previously held national-security roles in multiple administrations. The ambassador position links Waltz to the executive diplomatic system; it does not itself establish private connections to every other Cabinet member.
References
Research compiled November 13, 2026. Open questions belong in a separate research note, not in the public text.
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Documented connections
These are specifically described relationships in public records. A shared institution, appointment or event does not by itself demonstrate coordination or wrongdoing.
- Donald Trump (person) — White House service and diplomatic appointment: Served as Trump national security adviser in early 2025 and then U.N. ambassador · 2025 onward
- Marco Rubio (person) — diplomatic chain: Waltz serves as U.S. ambassador to U.N. within foreign-relations system led by secretary of state Rubio; no implied personal contact · 2025 onward