In a move signaling his administration’s foreign policy priorities, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday announced his selections for two key positions: Congressman Mike Waltz as national security advisor and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel.
“I am honored to announce that Congressman Mike Waltz is hereby appointed to serve in my cabinet as my national security advisor,” Trump stated. He praised Waltz as “a nationally recognized leader in national security” and “a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda.”
Mike Waltz, 50, hailing from Florida, brings a wealth of military and strategic experience to the role. A retired U.S. Army colonel and former member of the elite Green Berets, Waltz has served 27 years in the U.S. Army and National Guard. His extensive combat missions spanned regions including Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa.
Beyond the battlefield, Waltz has a significant background in defense strategy within the federal government. He served in the Pentagon as defense policy director under Republican Secretaries of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates. His expertise also reached the White House, where he acted as counterterrorism advisor to former Vice President Dick Cheney.
In 2019, Waltz was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Florida’s 6th congressional district, succeeding Ron DeSantis after his election as governor.
Unlike ambassadorial appointments, the national security advisor position does not require Senate approval, allowing Waltz to assume his role promptly upon Trump’s inauguration.
In a separate announcement, Trump nominated Mike Huckabee as the next U.S. ambassador to Israel. “Mike loves Israel, and the people of Israel, and likewise, the people of Israel love him,” Trump remarked. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East!”
Huckabee, 69, served as the 44th governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007 and was the chair of the National Governors Association from 2005 to 2006. He was a Republican presidential candidate in the 2008 election, ultimately withdrawing from the race in support of John McCain.
Trump’s selections of Waltz and Huckabee indicate a commitment to strengthening national security and U.S.-Israel relations. Observers are keen to see how these appointments will shape American foreign policy in the coming years.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
