Waltz appreciated that Trump is pressuring NATO member countries to spend more on defense.
US President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Republican congressman Mike Waltz as his national security adviser. This was reported by Reuters, AP and the American newspaper The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on Tuesday night, citing unnamed sources familiar with the matter.
Waltz, 50, who previously served as a colonel in the US National Guard, is a critic of China’s activities in the Asia-Pacific region and advocates for the United States to be prepared for a possible conflict in the Indo-Pacific region.
The national security adviser is an important position that does not require confirmation by the US Senate, Reuters explains. If appointed, Waltz will be responsible for briefing the president on key national security issues and coordinating with various agencies.
Waltz criticized the administration of US President Joe Biden for the chaotic withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan in 2021 and publicly praised Trump’s foreign policy views.
After Russian troops invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Waltz initially called on the Biden administration to provide more military aid to Ukraine. However, he said in October that it was necessary to reconsider the goals of the United States in Ukraine.
Waltz also appreciated that Trump is pressuring NATO member countries to spend more on defense, Reuters recalls.
