WALTZ: ‘I’M DEEPLY HONORED’: When now-former national security adviser Mike Waltz appeared on Fox News Thursday morning, he appeared to have no idea that he would be losing his job before the morning was out. Waltz was praising his boss for seeking peace in Ukraine, closing the minerals deal, and standing up to Iran. “This is leadership at its finest, led by our commander in chief who loves the troops, and they love him,” he gushed.
“I am pleased to announce that I will be nominating Mike Waltz to be the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations,” President Donald Trump posted on his social media platform. “In the interim, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will serve as National Security Advisor, while continuing his strong leadership at the State Department.”
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Trump’s Truth Social announcement surprised virtually everyone, including State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, who told a reporter during her briefing, “I just heard this from you.”
Waltz was quick to put the next face on what to most people in Washington, seemed like a demotion, following the embarrassing Signalgate fiasco. “I’m deeply honored to continue my service to President Trump and our great nation,” Waltz posted on X.
“He wasn’t let go,” Vice President J.D. Vance told Bret Baier on Fox. “He’s being made ambassador to the United Nations, which, of course, is a Senate-confirmed position. I think you can make a good argument that it’s a promotion.”
On CNN, frequent Trump critic John Bolton attributed Waltz’s fall from grace to “random neuron flashes” in Trump’s brain and said that, having held both jobs, he could confidently state this was a demotion. “I think it really just shows how little about national security J.D. Vance knows,” Bolton said, arguing that clearly, national security adviser, is the more important job. “I don’t think there’s any question about it. I loved being U.N. ambassador, don’t get me wrong. But it just doesn’t compare.”
TRUMP MOVES EMBATTLED MIKE WALTZ FROM NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER TO UN
DEMOCRATS: ‘THEY FIRED THE WRONG GUY’: While Republicans in Congress were quick to fall in line behind the president’s prerogative to shuffle his personnel the way he pleases, Democrats used the news to take potshots at Trump and his defense secretary, Pete Hegseth.
“I think they fired the wrong guy,” said Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) on X. “They should have fired Pete Hegseth for his sharing of classified and sensitive information on that Signal chain.” Kelly suggested that social media influencer Laura Loomer, who he called “an internet troll,” may have been behind the move, alleging she was “claiming credit.”
“Does she now get a say as to who our next national security adviser is?” he said “If that’s the case I think we should all be very, very concerned.”
“Mike Waltz’s abrupt dismissal is further proof of the chaos and incompetence that has reigned over President Trump’s White House and national security team during his first 100 days in office,” said Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee. “The stunning amount of turnover of senior staff at both the National Security Council and the Pentagon is alarming. Purges of senior military officers, mass firings of top career officials for perceived political disloyalty, and the illegal dismantling of America’s foreign policy institutions only hurt our security and signal weakness to our foes.”
“It was always going to end this way,” said Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), who called Waltz “a friend and colleague who cares about American leadership in the world,” who “sold out to Trump” in a post on X. “A combat veteran who honorably served his country, Mike was never going to be unprincipled enough, incompetent enough, or dumb enough (like Pete Hegseth) to survive under Trump.”
RUBIO: ‘SECRETARY OF EVERYTHING’: Rubio now becomes only the second person to simultaneously hold both the secretary of state and national security adviser jobs, since Henry Kissinger did it during the Nixon and Ford administrations.
The New York Times dubbed Rubio, the “Secretary of Everything,” noting that he now holds four titles — secretary of state, national security adviser, acting USAID administrator, and acting archivist.
“He has outdone Henry Kissinger and even Xi Jinping, China’s leader, who has only three main titles,” the newspaper noted.
Rubio joked about it in an appearance on Fox News last night, when Sean Hannity noted that Vice President Vance suggested, tongue-in-cheek on X, that Rubio could take on a bit more. “If only there was a job opening for devout Catholic.”
“We thought about it,” Rubio said in jest. “You don’t have to be a priest. People don’t know that. Any unmarried Catholic male can be pope, but I got married, and I’m happily married.”
TOM ROGAN OPINION: MIKE WALTZ’S SIGNAL OF STEVE WITKOFF’S ASCENDANCY
Good Friday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email and we’ll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre.
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AIR FORCE NOMINEE TAKES HEAVY FIRE: President Trump’s nominee to be undersecretary of the Air Force received a vigorous tongue-lashing from the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday but still appears likely to be confirmed.
“I have deep concerns about your fitness,” Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) told Matthew Lohmeier at the start of yesterday’s confirmation hearing, citing what he called Lohmeier’s “record of troubling conduct and uniform, extreme partisanship and animosity towards military members with whom you disagree.”
Lohmeier, who was fired from a Space Force squadron command just two years ago, was praised by Committee Chairman Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) as an example of “qualified people who are willing to step up and serve during these dangerous times.”
“Lohmeier has served our country as an active duty officer in the Air Force and Space Force,” Wicker said. “Based on his experience in uniform, he’s been an outspoken proponent of eliminating the divisive DEI agenda that was the hallmark of the Department of Defense in the early year administration.”
Reed zeroed in on the actions that got Lohmeier, an Air Force F-15C pilot and space operations officer, fired. “You self-published a book titled Irresistible Revolution: Marxism’s Goal of Conquest & the Unmaking of the American Military. The book argues that Marxism is rampant within the ranks and is leading to the collapse of our military and society,” Reed said, also citing a second book published after Lohmeier was no longer in uniform.
“As you write in your book, Irresistible Revolution, quote: “In one respect, U.S. military servicemembers are no different than members of the People’s Liberation Army. Each is comprised of humans — humans who share a common nature.”
“Your language suggests that you regard many of these men and women as adversaries to be rooted out and purged from the force,” Reed said.
BIRTHDAY PARADE PLANS: The Army is having a birthday on June 14. So is President Trump. The Army will be 250. Trump will celebrate his 79th. The Army has been planning a big celebration on the National Mall that — according to the Associated Press — would include “an array of activities and displays … including a fitness competition, climbing wall, armored vehicles, Humvees, helicopters and other equipment.”
However, according to recent planning documents obtained by the AP, the Army is considering adding a military parade to the mix to accommodate President Trump’s long-stated desire. “We want to make it into an event that the entire nation can celebrate with us,” Army spokesman Col. Dave Butler told the AP. “We want Americans to know their Army and their soldiers. A parade might become part of that, and we think that will be an excellent addition to what we already have planned.”
Plans for a military parade were scrapped during Trump’s first term when the costs were estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars, and the damage to city streets from heavy armored vehicles was considered.
The current plans — which have not yet been approved — call for “more than 6,600 soldiers, at least 150 vehicles, 50 helicopters, seven bands, and possibly a couple thousand civilians,” the Associated Press reported.
NEW NAMES, NEW HOLIDAYS: Trump was busy last night on Truth Social rebranding some of old and new national holidays to better recognize the primacy of America’s contribution to saving the world from tyranny.
“We won both Wars, nobody was close to us in terms of strength, bravery, or military brilliance, but we never celebrate anything,” Trump posted. “That’s because we don’t have leaders anymore, that know how to do so!.
“Many of our allies and friends are celebrating May 8th as Victory Day, but we did more than any other Country, by far, in producing a victorious result on World War II,” Trump said. “I am hereby renaming May 8th as Victory Day for World War II and November 11th as Victory Day for World War I.”
“We are going to start celebrating our victories again!”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
THE RUNDOWN:
Washington Examiner: Trump moves embattled Mike Waltz from national security adviser to UN
Washington Examiner: Pete Hegseth directs ‘comprehensive transformation’ of Army
Washington Examiner: 100-day report card: Trump makes good on pledge to restore ‘common sense’ and kill DEI
Washington Examiner: Tom Rogan Opinion: Mike Waltz’s signal of Steve Witkoff’s ascendancy
Washington Examiner: Russia and North Korea foster growing relationship with construction of road connection
Washington Examiner: Judge rules Trump unlawfully invoked Alien Enemies Act against alleged Tren de Aragua members
Washington Examiner: Washington Examiner: DHS asks Supreme Court to allow revocation of Venezuelan immigrants’ protected status
Washington Examiner: Trump’s Ukraine minerals deal: What to know
Washington Examiner: State Department spokeswoman learns Rubio is new national security adviser during live briefing
Washington Examiner: House leadership delays major budget hearings after White House meeting
Washington Examiner: House takes up ‘Gulf of America’ renaming legislation next week
Washington Examiner: Tom Rogan Opinion: As Navy prioritizes Middle East, China encircles Taiwan
Bloomberg: Trump Plans Record $1.01 Trillion National Security Budget
Washington Post: White House budget calls for $163 billion in federal cuts next year
Defense One: Hegseth Issues Army a Lengthy To-Do List
Air Force Times: Hegseth Backs Air Force Three-Star Grynkewich for Top Europe Job
AP: Army plans for a potential parade on Trump’s birthday call for 6,600 soldiers, AP learns
New York Times: US and UN Urge De-Escalation Between India and Pakistan
AP: Netanyahu’s campaign against Iran’s nuclear program is muted with Trump in power
Wall Street Journal: Trump Wants a New Air Force One So Badly He’s Refurbishing a Qatari Plane
The War Zones: F-16s Pulled from US Boneyard Are Being Delivered to Ukraine for Spare Parts
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Air Force Exercises in Pacific Could Expand with $622 Million Extra from Congress
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Lohmeier, Nominee for Under SECAF, Defends Record in Confirmation Hearing
AP: Soviet-era spacecraft is set to plunge to Earth a half-century after its failed launch to Venus
Breaking Defense: Ursa Major Looks to Fly Draper Engine, Takes Aim at Rocket Engine Markets
Air & Space Forces Magazine: CCA Fighter Drones Start Ground Testing Ahead of First Flights; New Organization Unveiled
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Meeting the Software Challenge: How the New Acquisition Pathway Came to Be
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Sexual Assaults in Air Force Tick Up, as Hiring Freeze Affects Prevention Workforce
Washington Post: Opinion: JD Vance: What President Trump achieved in his first 100 days
THE CALENDAR:
FRIDAY | MAY 2
8 a.m. — George Washington University Project for Media and National Security Defense Writers Group breakfast discussion: “Battlefield Energy Solutions for Large Scale Combat Operations,” with Army Maj. Gen. Michelle Donahue, commanding general, Combined Arms Support Command email: [email protected]
8:30 a.m. 14th and F Sts. NW — National Press Club “World Press Freedom Week” event: Alsu Kurmasheva, journalist for Radio Free Europe who was held in detention in Russia, delivers remarks on her detention in Russia, her return to reporting, and ongoing efforts to free the 10 VOA and RFE/RL and RFA journalists still imprisoned worldwide https://www.press.org/newsroom/world-press-freedom-week
2 p.m. Sedona, Ariz.— McCain Institute Sedona Forum: “Wielding America’s Preeminent Power” https://www.mccaininstitute.org/resources/events/sedona-forum
MONDAY | MAY 5
9:30 a.m. G50 Dirksen — Senate Armed Services Committee hearing to consider the nominations of Anthony Tata to be undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness; and Katherine Sutton to be assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/hearings
11 a.m. 1000 Massachusetts Ave. NW — Cato Institute forum: “A Fork in the Road: The Stark Choices on U.S.-Iran Policy,” with Danny Citrinowicz, research fellow at Tel Aviv University’s Institute for National Security Studies; Gregory Brew, senior analyst on Iran and energy, Eurasia Group; Negar Mortazavi, senior fellow, Center for International Policy; and Jon Hoffman, Cato research fellow https://www.cato.org/events/fork-road-stark-choices-us-iran-policy
WEDNESDAY | MAY 7
2:30 p.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW — Hudson Institute discussion: “What’s Happening in Minsk?” with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Belarus opposition leader https://www.hudson.org/events/whats-happening-minsk
THURSDAY | MAY 8
9 a.m. Cannon Caucus Room 390 — United Against Nuclear Iran displays an Iranian Shahed-136 drone on Capitol Hill to call attention to Iran’s malign drone proliferation, with House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA); Sen. James Lankford (R-OK); Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) [email protected]
12 p.m. — Association of the U.S. Army “Noon Report” webinar: “U.S. Army: Powering the Mission,” with Brandon Cockrell, deputy assistant Army secretary for energy and sustainability https://www.ausa.org/events/noon-report/us-army-powering-the-mission
FRIDAY | MAY 9
12 p.m. 112 Elden St., Suite P, Herndon, Va. — Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women discussion: “Escaping North Korea: From Brainwashing to Freedom,” with Seohyun Lee, North Korean defector and human rights advocate https://tinyurl.com/48c7pcdy