President Trump fired National Security Adviser Mike Waltz due to a combination of policy disagreements, loyalty concerns, and the fallout from the “Signalgate” incident, while retaining Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Here’s why:
## Policy Disputes on Iran
Waltz pushed for military action against Iran during Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s February visit, clashing with Trump’s preference for diplomacy first. He privately coordinated with Netanyahu on strike plans, which “upset” Trump and led to accusations Waltz was prioritizing Israeli interests over U.S. strategy. This echoed past firings of officials who pursued unauthorized foreign alliances.
## Loyalty and Communication Failures
Waltz struggled to champion Trump’s “America First” agenda publicly, hiring staff seen as out-of-step with the MAGA base. His inability to effectively defend Trump’s national security vision on television – once considered his strength – further eroded confidence. By contrast, Hegseth maintained alignment with Trump’s priorities.
## The Signalgate Catalyst
While both officials participated in the Signal chat discussing Yemen strikes, Waltz faced greater scrutiny because he:
– who leaked operational details
– , forcing Trump to defend him publicly before backtracking
– , unlike typical Trump-era protocol for scandals
Trump reportedly waited a month to fire Waltz to avoid appearing reactive, framing it as part of a broader reorganization. Hegseth’s role in the chat was less central, allowing him to survive the controversy.
The dismissal underscores Trump’s intolerance for perceived disloyalty and insistence on officials who amplify – rather than complicate – his foreign policy instincts.
