President-elect Donald Trump is expected to name Rep Michael Waltz, a Florida Republican, to serve as national security adviser, two sources familiar with the matter told CBS News, the BBC’s US partner.
A veteran of the war in Afghanistan and a long-time Trump supporter, Waltz was re-elected to Congress last week – though he will have to vacate his office to serve in the White House.
In this role, Waltz would serve as a key White House adviser on national security and foreign policy matters. It is a prominent role that does not require confirmation.
Senator Marco Rubio of Florida is in talks to be Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, though the pick is not a done deal, two sources told CBS
Waltz and Rubio’s offices did not respond to the BBC’s request for comment.
A decorated Green Beret and Army veteran, Waltz served multiple tours in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Africa.
He drew on his experiences serving in the Pentagon during the George W Bush administration and in combat in his book Warrior Diplomat: A Green Beret’s Battles from Washington to Afghanistan.
Waltz’s military experience led to key national security committee assignments when he was elected to Congress in 2018, serving on the Armed Services, Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Committees.
The Florida congressman’s expressed views in Congress have hewed closely to Republicans’ political views on national security and foreign policy since Trump’s election in 2016 – but they also acknowledge the US’s key role in global affairs.
