President Donald Trump will nominate Mike Waltz to serve as his UN ambassador after ousting him as national security adviser in the first White House shake-up of his second term.
The news came after a morning of fervent speculation concerning Waltz’s future and reporting that he was being pushed out of the administration. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will add interim NSA to his responsibilities until a replacement is found.
At the National Prayer Day event in the Rose Garden, Trump made no mention of the shake-up, and Waltz was absent despite being on campus earlier.
Meanwhile, former vice president Kamala Harris mercilessly rebuked the president in her first extensive remarks since leaving Washington, D.C., in January, saying his tariff-based trade war was inviting recession and amounted to the “greatest man-made economic crisis in modern presidential history.”
Harris, the defeated Democratic nominee in last year’s presidential election, spoke at the 20th anniversary gala for Emerge America, an organization that supports left-leaning women for public office.
She further said: “Instead of an administration working to advance America's highest ideals, we are witnessing the wholesale abandonment of those ideals.”
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Key points
- BREAKING: Trump nominates Waltz to be UN ambassador, removing him from NSA role
- Stephen Miller claims Trump ‘has literally saved America’ as White House deflects from bad economic news
- Elon Musk and DOGE promised $2 trillion in savings. In reality, government spending is up
- Kamala Harris blasts Trump tariffs as ‘greatest man-made economic crisis in modern presidential history’
- Trump suddenly slow-walks tariff deals at town hall: ‘I’m in less of a hurry than you’
ANALYSIS: Waltz may have a shiny new job – but forcing him out of Trump’s inner circle is still a win for MAGA
20:10
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Oliver O'Connell
John Bowden writes:
There was zero doubt as to which faction of the modern-day Republican Party felt like it came out ahead on Thursday after the announcement that Mike Waltz, President Donald Trump’s national security adviser, was out of his job.
“SCALP,” declared conspiracy theory-lover and right-wing activist Laura Loomer in a tweet posted after reports of his removal as NSA and shortly before news that he would be moved to the now-vacant position of ambassador to the United Nations.
The writing was on the wall for Waltz long before news of his imminent ouster from his security role broke on Thursday. His new position puts him out of the White House, and out of Trump’s inner circle of advisers.
Continue reading...
Waltz 'deeply honored' to continue service
20:00
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Oliver O'Connell
Mike Waltz has responded on X to President Donald Trump’s announcement of his new role within the administration as nominee to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
“I’m deeply honored to continue my service to President Trump and our great nation,” he wrote, after a morning of fervent speculation about his future.
I’m deeply honored to continue my service to President Trump and our great nation. pic.twitter.com/FFTPjnIYkI
— Mike Waltz (@MikeWaltz47) May 1, 2025
The UN role was originally intended for Rep. Elise Stefanik, who was asked to step back in order to help maintain the Republican majority in the House of Representatives.
Waltz will need to be confirmed by the Senate.
Full story: Trump names Mike Waltz as new UN ambassador nominee hours after he is reported leaving NSA post
19:50
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Oliver O'Connell
President Donald Trump has tapped Mike Waltz to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations after ousting him as National Security Adviser.
The shake up comes just weeks after the Signalgate scandal, where Waltz inadvertently added a journalist from The Atlantic into the chat discussing war plans in Yemen.
Trump announced the move in a post on Truth Social.
Rhian Lubin reports.
BREAKING: Trump nominates Waltz to be UN ambassador
19:25
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Oliver O'Connell
President Donald Trump has broken his silence on reports that Mike Waltz has been ousted as his national security adviser.
In a post on Truth Social, the president announced that he is nominating Waltz to serve as his ambassador to the United Nations.
Until a new NSA is named, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will serve in the role for the interim.
The president wrote:
I am pleased to announce that I will be nominating Mike Waltz to be the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations. From his time in uniform on the battlefield, in Congress and, as my National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz has worked hard to put our Nation’s Interests first. I know he will do the same in his new role. In the interim, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will serve as National Security Advisor, while continuing his strong leadership at the State Department. Together, we will continue to fight tirelessly to Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN. Thank you for your attention to this matter!
Senior Republicans dig their heels in over Medicaid cuts as they try to push through Trump agenda
19:16
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Oliver O'Connell
House and Senate Republicans remain miles apart on whether to make significant cuts to Medicaid in President Donald Trump’s proposed “one big, beautiful bill.”
The US House of Representatives passed a version of the budget resolution that the Senate sent right before the April recess. But that is just the beginning of the real fight.
The House wants to find $1.5 trillion worth of spending cuts to pay for $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, renewing the tax cuts that Trump signed in 2017.
Eric Garcia reports from Washington, D.C.
Who might replace Waltz as national security adviser?
19:07
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Oliver O'Connell
With Mike Waltz on his way out as national security adviser, who might take his role?
Sources told Reuters that the options included U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, who has been involved in Russia-Ukraine diplomacy as well as the Middle East, and Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio could assume the position on a temporary basis while a permanent selection is settled upon, sources said.
Watch: Zelensky breaks silence on economic partnership with U.S.
19:03
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Oliver O'Connell
Inmates awaiting deportation spell out ‘SOS’ message with their bodies
18:57
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Oliver O'Connell
Venezuelan migrants held at a detention center in Texas spelled out the distress signal “SOS” with their bodies while awaiting deportation by Donald Trump’s administration.
Thirty-one detainees being held at the Bluebonnet Detention Facility in Anson and dressed in red and orange jumpsuits came together on Monday to spell out the letters, as a Reuters drone flew overhead. The stunt was to protest against their incarceration by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials and appeal for help.
Joe Sommerlad has the story.
Tech giants playing nice with Trump hasn’t translated into windfall
18:51
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Oliver O'Connell
Tech CEOs lined up to “kiss the ring” after President Donald Trump was elected, dining with him at Mar-a-Lago and donating $1 million each to the inaugural fund.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Tesla CEO Elon Musk sat in the second row at Trump’s inauguration – better seats than some of the president’s cabinet.
But cozying up to Trump hasn’t necessarily translated into a financial windfall, as tech companies have experienced a mixed bag over the last few months in dealing with Trump’s agenda and his economic plans.
Rhian Lubin has the story.
Trump creates a religious liberty commission on the National Day of Prayer
18:43
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Oliver O'Connell
President Donald Trump signed an executive order creating a religious liberty commission during a White House Rose Garden ceremony to recognize the National Day of Prayer.
Its members include Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, former U.S. housing secretary Ben Carson, and TV talk-show host Phil McGraw — known as Dr. Phil. The commission was Patrick’s idea, Trump said.
Patrick told Trump, “There has never been a president who has invoked the name of Jesus more than you.”
McGraw said Trump is a “man of deep faith … who wants this country to have a heart and have religion.”
Dr. Phil: I have sat with President Trump with no cameras around, nobody watching, and I'm telling you: This is a man of deep faith, deep conviction.. pic.twitter.com/hwM7Tczn8y
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 1, 2025
Companies are rushing to ship goods into the US ahead of tariffs
18:38
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Oliver O'Connell
President Donald Trump’s tariffs — and his 90-day reprieve — are disrupting global trade patterns as countries hurried to ship products to the United States to avoid levies, according to a report.
A variety of businesses around the world rushed to ship goods in the first few months of the year before Trump unveiled his “Liberation Day” tariff policy on April 2. As a result, in the first quarter of 2025, U.S. imports surged more than 40 percent, new data shows.
It’s masking the economic cliff, as Kelly Rissman reports.
Mike Waltz congratulated colleague on ‘last day,’ during final Fox News hit before ouster
18:28
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Oliver O'Connell
Moments before it was first reported that he’d been ousted as national security adviser, Mike Waltz — standing in front of the White House — appeared on Fox & Friends to discuss the administration’s rare minerals deal with Ukraine and other foreign policy issues.
At the same time, it seemed fairly apparent that Waltz had no idea during the interview that he would soon be pushed out of his job, especially as he took time to congratulate another Trump Cabinet member for serving his last day as a member of the Army Reserve.
Justin Baragona has the story.
MTG gets into Congressional shouting match over school lunches and feeding the poor
18:19
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Oliver O'Connell
A Democratic lawmaker shouted down Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene during a House Oversight Committee meeting Wednesday, accusing the far-right lawmaker of calling school lunches and Social Security “garbage.”
Representative Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico offered an amendment to a tax cuts bill that would help prevent President Donald Trump from slashing or privatizing benefits, including Social Security, Medicaid, food assistance and housing income support.
Katie Hawkinson reports on what happened next.
In case you were trying to work it out...
18:04
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Oliver O'Connell
Waltz lasts 9.2 Scaramuccis
— Anthony Scaramucci (@Scaramucci) May 1, 2025
Musk slept in Lincoln bedroom and shared ice cream with Trump
18:00
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Oliver O'Connell
Like a sleepover? Right...?
Elon Musk has opened up on his “intense” first 100 days in the Trump administration, during which he sometimes slept in the Lincoln Bedroom of the White House and saw Tesla vehicles vandalized across the country.
The billionaire spoke to a group of reporters in the Roosevelt Room on Wednesday about his experience establishing the Department of Government Efficiency, the Trump administration’s radical cost-cutting effort.
Gustaf Kilander has the story.
Democrats continue to keep their reaction to Waltz ouster brief
17:56
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Oliver O'Connell
Q: "CBS News is reporting that National Security Adviser Mike Waltz is going to step down. What are your thoughts on that and should other people follow him?"@RepJeffries: "Yes." pic.twitter.com/t905vKSQQp
— CSPAN (@cspan) May 1, 2025
Major legal battle in the offing as Trump-appointed judge blocks ‘unlawful’ Alien Enemies Act deportations
17:38
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Oliver O'Connell
The Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to summarily deport Venezuelan immigrants accused of being gang members “exceeds” the scope of the law and runs “contrary to the plain, ordinary meaning” of the wartime law.
Texas District Judge Fernando Rodriguez, who was appointed by Trump, ruled on Thursday that the administration cannot rely on the 18th-century law to detain and deport alleged Tren de Aragua members, is “unlawful.”
Alex Woodward reports.
Sheinbaum says she spoke with Trump this morning about ongoing trade negotiations
17:28
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Oliver O'Connell
President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico said she has spoken with President Donald Trump about ongoing trade negotiations between the two countries.
“It was a good conversation,” Sheinbaum said during her daily news briefing. “Even though there wasn’t a specific agreement, the important thing is that we’re working on it.”
Sheinbaum, who said she and Trump spoke for 10 to 15 minutes Thursday morning, noted that the Trump administration had relaxed some tariffs on automobiles and auto parts this week.
However, she mentioned that Mexico is still seeking a better deal for the automotive sector, as well as for steel and aluminum, which face their own U.S. tariffs.
The U.S. seeks to reduce its trade deficit with Mexico, she said, noting that Mexico is working to find ways to assist in this effort. The leaders agreed that their cabinet secretaries would continue negotiations.
“It is a good sign that we continue advancing,” she said.
With reporting from the Associated Press
Trump says 'forget about' separation between church and state
17:23
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Oliver O'Connell
President Donald Trump says of having faith advisers working in the White House: “No other president allowed that. They say ‘separation between church and state.’ I said, alright, let's forget about that for one time.”
Trump on his faith advisers: "They work right out of the White House. That's never been done before. No other president allowed that. They say 'separation between church and state.' I said, alright, let's forget about that for one time." pic.twitter.com/11x7kYLPMu
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 1, 2025
Watch: Trump offers a not unexpectedly odd take on religion
17:17
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Oliver O'Connell
Trump at a National Day of Prayer event: "This is a religious ceremony but that's part of the religion, because if your taxes go up 68% you might give up your religion. You might have no choice. You'll be working too hard." pic.twitter.com/zHjr1NyYFZ
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 1, 2025
Trump thanks Hegseth for work at National Prayer Event
17:15
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Oliver O'Connell
With National Security Adviser Mike Waltz being ousted, President Donald Trump took time to thank almost all of his Cabinet and senior advisers at the National Prayer Day event in the Rose Garden, notably including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Democrats say that the defense secretary is the person who should lose his job over the Signalgate scandal, for sharing sensitive information in a group chat in which Waltz had accidentally included Jeffrey Goldberg, the editor of The Atlantic.
Inside Trump and Zelensky’s intimate meeting at Pope’s funeral — and how Vance’s absence helped them reach deal breakthrough
17:02
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Oliver O'Connell
James Liddell writes:
Shortly after sitting down with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of Pope Francis’ funeral, Donald Trump was left with a lingering concern: perhaps Vladimir Putin was just “tapping” him along.
The second Trump-Zelensky meeting, by all accounts, was a much more positive affair than their notorious clash in the Oval Office in late February. And on Wednesday it appeared to pay off – with the U.S. and Ukraine finally signing a long-awaited minerals deal.
Now, insiders have revealed details of the Vatican exchange between the two world leaders, and how it may have helped create a diplomatic breakthrough and boost Ukraine’s fortunes in the ongoing war with Russia.
Continue reading...
Far-right Trump ally Laura Loomer wanted president to oust Waltz
16:57
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Oliver O'Connell
Laura Loomer, a far-right ally of Donald Trump, has had a target on Mike Waltz for some time, telling the president in a recent Oval Office conversation that he needs to purge aides who she believes are insufficiently loyal to the “Make America Great Again” agenda.
Here she is talking to Tara Palmieri about Waltz and his previous anti-Trump views.
In my interview with @LauraLoomer, she explains that she came to the White House last month with a video that would end Mike Waltz's career as National Security Advisor. The Audio version of our interview is finally LIVE. Follow the show below. pic.twitter.com/R1iMQVZD5b
— Tara Palmeri (@tarapalmeri) May 1, 2025
Watch LIVE: President Trump hosts National Day of Prayer event
16:52
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Oliver O'Connell
President Donald Trump is holding a National Day of Prayer event in the Rose Garden and may make remarks about the exit of NSA Mike Waltz.
16:50
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Oliver O'Connell
Mike Waltz has left the chat.
— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) May 1, 2025
Witkoff in running to replace Waltz, report says
16:46
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Oliver O'Connell
Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, is reportedly in the running to replace Mike Waltz as national security adviser, according to reporting by CNN.
Steve Witkoff is under consideration to replace Mike Waltz as national security adviser, per @Kevinliptakcnn, though no final decision has been made.
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) May 1, 2025
Schumer: 'Now do Hegseth'
16:43
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Oliver O'Connell
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was brief in his reaction to the departure of Mike Waltz as Donald Trump’s national security adviser.
Now do Hegseth. pic.twitter.com/IaJO1dNelE
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 1, 2025
RFK Jr doubles down on wild false claims about MMR vaccine
16:43
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Oliver O'Connell
The U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services has doubled down on false claims the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine contains “aborted fetus debris”.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent vaccine sceptic, made the remarks after the number of measles cases in a Texas outbreak topped 660 with dozens more reported in New Mexico.
Speaking live on air to reporters on News Nation’s program Wednesday, RFK Jr was asked to clarify what he meant when he said the MMR contains "a lot of aborted fetus debris."
Madeline Sherratt reports on what he had to say.
Watch: Waltz praises Trump in Cabinet meeting, just yesterday...
16:40
,
Oliver O'Connell
Waltz left safe House seat to take NSA role
16:36
,
Oliver O'Connell
Mike Waltz gave up a safe Republican seat, Florida’s 6th District, to serve in the Trump administration.
Matt Gaetz did the same in Florida’s 1st District, hoping to become Attorney General, but withdrew himself from consideration.
Elise Stefanik was supposed to do likewise with her seat in New York in order to become Trump’s UN ambassador, before her nomination was pulled.
A DOGE staffer who hasn’t even graduated college yet is using AI to rewrite an entire agency’s rules and regulations
16:35
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Oliver O'Connell
A young Department of Government Efficiency staffer, who has yet to obtain his undergraduate degree, has been tasked with using artificial intelligence to rewrite an entire agency’s rules and regulations, according to a report.
DOGE, run by the world’s richest person Elon Musk, has caused a whirlwind of chaos in President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office by making swift and sweeping changes to the federal government: dismantling agencies, executing mass firings, and slashing government contracts. Now, DOGE is installing a college junior at the Department of Housing and Urban Development to rewrite its regulations — using AI, Wired reported.
Kelly Rissman has the details.
'They're holding the wrong guy accountable'
16:29
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Oliver O'Connell
Democratic Senator Mark Kelly reacted to the news of Mike Waltz’s exit from the administration by saying, regarding the Signalgate scandal: “I think they’re holding the wrong guy accountable … I think they fired the wrong guy.”
He told CNN that he believed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth should be out.
Dem Sen. Mark Kelly on Mike Waltz news. “I think they’re holding the wrong guy accountable … I think they fired the wrong guy,” he told us, saying Hegseth should be out
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) May 1, 2025
Musk and DOGE promised $2 trillion in savings — so why is government spending up?
16:24
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Oliver O'Connell
Tech billionaire and DOGE hatchet man Elon Musk promised to save the nation $2 trillion.
In reality, in spite of massive cuts in federal agencies, contracts, services and jobs by U.S. government spending is actually up more than 6 percent over the same period last year during the Biden administration, according to new Treasury data.
Mary Papenfuss reports.
State Dept spokesperson defers to White House on Waltz
16:19
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Oliver O'Connell
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce appeared on Fox News shortly after the news of Mike Waltz’s apparent exit from the administration broke.
Asked about it, Bruce said the president remained committed to diplomacy around the world and remained “hands-on” at every department.
She added: “So I don’t – I won’t get ahead of what the president may or may not say later today. This is a White House framework. What I do know is that the talent bench in this country and for this government is deep. And that, of course, this also is every day we see in this 100th day anniversary week, if you will, that the president is engaged in every aspect of the country. And the choices he makes moving forward will be as usual excellent and will be in the best interests of the American people.”
With customers fearful of recession, McDonald’s sees its biggest sales drop since the pandemic
16:15
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Oliver O'Connell
McDonald’s has reported its biggest sales drop since the pandemic as customers in the U.S. are concerned about the economy and are pulling back on spending.
The fast food chain’s U.S. sales shrank 3.6 percent, the worst drop since the second quarter of 2020, as the company acknowledged customers are “grappling with uncertainty.”
Rhian Lubin has the story.
Flustered Fox News host fluffs Mike Waltz name, twice
16:09
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Oliver O'Connell
Others may leave posts too, report says
16:02
,
Oliver O'Connell
Fox News additionally reports that other names may also be leaving their posts in addition to Mike Waltz and Alex Wong.
President Donald Trump is expected to say something soon.
BREAKING: National Security Advisor Mike Waltz is out, along with his deputy Alex Wong. Additional names likely to come. Expect to hear from POTUS on this soon, I’m told.
— Jacqui Heinrich (@JacquiHeinrich) May 1, 2025
BREAKING: NSA Waltz and deputy leaving posts, report says
15:54
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Oliver O'Connell
CBS News reports that National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and his deputy, Alex Wong, will be leaving their posts, citing multiple sources familiar with the situation.
BREAKING: National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and his deputy, Alex Wong, will be leaving their posts, multiple sources familiar with the situation tell me. @CBSNews
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs)Related News & Content
