• National Security Advisor Mike Waltz may soon be replaced by Steve Witkoff in a major Trump administration shakeup.
  • The move follows a security breach scandal involving Waltz and comes amid Witkoff's growing role in high-stakes diplomacy.
  • Witkoff, a billionaire real estate investor with no traditional diplomatic background, has been leading sensitive negotiations in Gaza, Iran, and Russia.

Potential Shakeup in National Security Leadership

According to sources familiar with the matter, the White House is preparing to replace National Security Advisor Mike Waltz with current special envoy Steve Witkoff. The personnel change could happen as soon as this weekend, marking a significant reorganization of the administration's national security team just months into the term.

Waltz's position became precarious after a March 2025 security breach where he accidentally included Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg in a Signal chat discussing sensitive military plans against Houthi rebels in Yemen. "The plan now by the White House" includes removing both Waltz and his deputy Alex Wong, according to three sources who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Witkoff's Unconventional Rise

Steve Witkoff, a billionaire real estate investor and lawyer, has emerged as a central figure in the administration's foreign policy despite lacking conventional diplomatic experience. Since being appointed special envoy, he has taken on increasingly high-profile roles:

  • Personally overseeing the Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza last January
  • Developing a rejected peace proposal for Gaza (dubbed the "Witkoff plan")
  • Conducting secret meetings with Israeli officials ahead of nuclear talks with Iran
  • Holding marathon discussions with Vladimir Putin about Ukraine in April

"He's managing a lot of different files and may be out of his depth in technical discussions," said Gregory Brew, a senior Iran analyst at the Eurasia Group, reflecting concerns among some foreign policy experts about Witkoff's readiness for the NSA role.

Administration Dynamics

The potential change comes as Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been working to coordinate diplomatic efforts across multiple fronts. Current and former administration officials describe tensions between the more traditional national security apparatus and Witkoff's entrepreneurial approach to diplomacy.

White House spokespeople declined to comment on the potential personnel changes when reached Thursday evening. The situation remains fluid, with administration officials cautioning that plans could change before any formal announcement is made.