Mike Waltz nominated UN envoy after NSC fall

In a step that raises serious questions about the accountability obligation in Trump's White House, Mike Waltz fired fresh as a national security advisor for his role in the “Signalgate” fiasco. Within a few hours after the distortion, Waltz was nominated by President Trump as an ambassador for the United States at the United Nations.

For most civil servants, it would be a career connection to accidentally get by sensitive military discussions. For Waltz it seems to be a job broadcast.

From embarrassment to the survey

The distance from Waltz followed widespread counter-reaction towards a chat from the signal group, in which high-ranking national security leaders, including Waltz, CIA director John Ratcliffe, and Defense Minister Pete Hegseth, discussed potential military actions in Yemen. Somehow, The Atlantic'S-editor-in-chief was added to the chat to a breathtaking protocol violation, which quickly earned the nickname “signal gate”.

Waltz admitted a guilt, called the situation “embarrassing” and took responsibility for building up the group. But instead of having consequences that are typical of a national security error, Waltz has now been nominated to represent the USA on the world stage. This is not an accountability, but an action that is disguised as damage control.

Loyalty about competence

Trump's pattern is clear: the loyalty is rewarded independently of the performance. When Waltz was also pushed out, he praised Trump's leadership and bragged a mineral contract with the Ukrainian statements, which subsequently serve to keep him in the president's good grace. It worked.

Foreign Minister Marco Rubio, who has temporarily taken on Waltz's national security tasks, can initially hold two jobs – but Waltz is led to a confirmation process of the Senate, which, if he is successful, grant him a strong seat in international diplomacy just a few weeks after the packaging of internal communication.

Let's be honest: that's not surprising. It is a standard operating procedure in Trump's inner circle, where loyalty is re-enacting from consequences and top-class misconceptions that can be written aside with a new title and a new press release.

Related: First club of signal leaks

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A dangerous precedent

What message does this send to career diplomats, military officers or international allies? That a serious judgment will not prevent you from being handed over to a megaphone in the United Nations?

There was a time when roles like the UN ambassador for the most experienced and flawless statesmen were reserved. Today it has become a political parachute for insiders who are too loyal to put them aside.

Mike Waltz could soon take a seat at the United Nations, but the credibility of American diplomacy has only scored another goal.