Federal Representative Michael Waltz, a retired Army National Guard officer, has been selected by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as National Security Advisor, according to a source speaking on condition of anonymity before the official announcement.
Waltz will face various national security crises, including the situation in Ukraine and relations between Russia and North Korea, as well as conflicts in the Middle East and the search for a ceasefire in the region. Among the controversies surrounding Waltz is his stance on drug trafficking in Mexico.
Last January, Waltz along with Representative Dan Crenshaw proposed a measure in the U.S. Congress to authorize the entry of U.S. armed forces into Mexico to combat organized crime. This proposal was criticized by former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
Waltz is considered one of Donald Trump's main defenders, showing aggressive stances not only against drug cartels in Mexico but also toward China, advocating for a boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. He has been critical of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and has called for accountability for the deaths of American soldiers in that country.
On the other hand, Marco Rubio, a Florida legislator, would be appointed by Trump as Secretary of State. Despite tensions in the Capitol and uncertainties about the composition of the House of Representatives, Trump has decided to bet on Waltz and Rubio for key roles in his administration.
