In early May, President Donald J. Trump announced the dismissal of White House National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and his deputy, Alex Wong.
Background: Michael Waltz, 51, is a retired Green Beret officer with deployments in Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa. He has received numerous government commendations for bravery. Waltz previously served in the White House and the Pentagon and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018. Alex Wong served in Trump’s first administration as Deputy Special Representative for North Korea.
The dismissal followed public revelations that Waltz had used unsecured communication channels while coordinating sensitive National Security Council discussions on covert operations. Another key factor was his unreserved support for Israel, including frequent contact with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and efforts to escalate military confrontation with Iran — actions that ran counter to Trump’s campaign promises to end wars rather than start new ones. The impact of Waltz’s removal was somewhat mitigated by his subsequent nomination as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has assumed the role of acting National Security Advisor. Rubio reportedly earned the President’s trust through his deference, unwavering loyalty, and frequent informal weekend visits to Trump for off-the-record consultations.
One of the leading contenders to permanently replace Waltz is Trump’s longtime golf partner and confidant, Steven Witkoff. Despite lacking formal credentials in foreign policy, Witkoff enjoys unique access to the President and is simultaneously overseeing negotiations with Israel, Hamas, Ukraine, Russia, and Iran — an unusual concentration of responsibilities that has drawn sharp criticism within the State Department.
Another serious candidate for the post is Stephen Miller, Deputy White House Chief of Staff and the architect of Trump’s hardline immigration agenda. Miller, one of the President’s most trusted and long-standing aides, is currently pushing for the immediate deportation of undocumented migrants without judicial hearings. Insiders credit him with turning the Homeland Security Council into a highly efficient apparatus, “outperforming the National Security Council despite having a fraction of the staff”. Given Trump’s preference for consolidating power among a narrow circle of loyalists, it is possible that Miller — like Rubio — may be tasked with holding multiple senior roles simultaneously.
These changes at the helm of national security come at a politically delicate moment. According to Washington insiders, Waltz’s departure was in part the result of a simmering feud within the Trump Administration that dates back to the start of his second term. At the heart of this struggle are two camps: foreign policy hawks like Waltz, often referred to as neoconservatives, and allies of Vice President J. D. Vance, associated with a neo-isolationist outlook. While these labels simplify a more complex internal dynamic, they provide a useful framework for understanding the evolving power structure.
The defining feature of Trump’s second term has been the outward display of loyalty among his inner circle. Yet beneath this façade lies a tripartite power struggle. The first faction comprises committed “America First” ideologues, skeptical of entangling alliances and eager to reduce U.S. military and economic burdens abroad. This group includes Vice President Vance and Donald Trump Jr., who has stepped into the informal advisory role once held by Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. Right-wing commentator Laura Loomer serves as the public voice of this faction and is reportedly influential enough to have prompted the recent ousting of NSA (electronic intelligence) Director Howe.
The second group is made up of traditional Republican internationalists and neoconservatives. Waltz was a prominent member, along with Marco Rubio and CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Despite holding high office, this faction’s sway over Trump appears to be waning.
The third, and arguably most influential faction, consists of a circle of billionaire allies — Trump’s personal oligarchy. At the forefront is Steven Witkoff, joined by Steve Bessent and Howard Lutnick, who serve as Secretaries of the Treasury and Commerce respectively, as well as Elon Musk, who leads the Department of Government Efficiency.
Although this triad has thus far held together, internal tensions are becoming increasingly visible. Waltz’s removal was catalyzed by an op-ed in the Trump-aligned New York Post titled: “Steven Witkoff Should Not Be Negotiating with Iran and Russia, Say Allies and Insiders”. The piece quoted an anonymous former Trump aide who described Witkoff as “a good guy but a bumbling fool”. It also featured criticism from two analysts at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a pro-Israel think tank, who expressed doubts about Witkoff’s suitability for high-stakes negotiations with Iran.
The article prompted a swift rebuttal from Trump allies. Charlie Kirk, a prominent MAGA media figure and frequent companion of Donald Trump Jr., tweeted: “The Foundation for Defense of Democracies is leading the charge against Steven Witkoff. They are openly encouraging officials to sabotage President Trump’s efforts and derail the Iran deal. Anyone opposing Witkoff is opposing MAGA”.
These internal fissures are emerging at a time when the Trump Administration is pursuing peace accords with Iran and Russia, while trying to reassure close allies in Israel, Ukraine, and Europe. Waltz, and now Rubio, represented the continuity of traditional Republican foreign policy. But in today’s White House, President Trump remains the sole axis of authority.
This week, Trump toughened his stance on Russia by signing a new security agreement with Ukraine. While signaling a desire to end the war and revisit U.S.–Russia economic ties, Trump warned that sanctions against Moscow would follow unless President Vladimir Putin engaged in serious negotiations. He has also hinted at targeting Russia’s banking sector or imposing so-called secondary sanctions.
Senator Lindsey Graham endorsed Trump’s tougher rhetoric, revealing that he had secured the support of 72 senators for a bipartisan bill imposing “crippling” sanctions should Putin fail to enter meaningful peace talks. The legislation proposes a 500% tariff on imports from any country that buys Russian oil, gas, or uranium. If endorsed by the White House, the bill will advance to a Senate vote.
In conclusion, the recent reshuffling of national security leadership reflects more than just personnel changes; it reveals deep ideological rifts within the Trump Administration. The power struggle between proponents of aggressive foreign engagement and advocates of strategic restraint underscores the fragility of internal decision-making structures. As external pressures mount, this fragmentation may hinder the development of a coherent national security strategy — posing growing risks for the effectiveness of U.S. foreign policy.
* The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.
