‘My dog is more qualified’: Critics slam ‘insane’ rumors of next national security adviser
Mike Waltz is being ousted from the White House as national security adviser, and critics speculated about who president Donald Trump would select to replace him.
Sources familiar with the decision to oust Waltz say he had lost the confidence of other administration officials after mistakenly inviting a journalist into a group chat where defense secretary Pete Hegseth disclosed top-secret military planning, and his deputy Alex Wong is also expected to follow him out the door.
“Currently, a leading pick [to replace him] is Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, who is shepherding negotiations with Russia, Iran and Hamas in Gaza, according to the three of the people,” reported Politico. “Other possible contenders include Trump’s top policy chief Stephen Miller, National Security Council senior director for counterterrorism Sebastian Gorka and Trump’s special envoy for special missions Richard Grenell.”
The rumored replacements stunned many observers.
“If you’ll all excuse me I must return to my home world,” said political science professor Daniel Drezner.
“I said Trump would find someone worse, but if he chooses [any of] these folks, it will be really hard to find someone worse than them when he fires them,” replied political scientist Steve Saideman. “Worse than Grenell or Gorka?”
“They’re gonna replace Waltz with… Witkoff?” posted author and editor Benjamin Dreyer. “Oh boy.”
“Absolutely insane,” said geopolitical analyst Joni Askola. “My dog is more qualified for the job than Witkoff is.”
“New York Post yesterday: Witkoff is a fucking idiot, everyone agrees,” added Michael Weiss, editor of The Insider. “White House today: Let’s maybe make him National Security Adviser.”
“Politico says the leading candidate to replace Waltz is Steve Witkoff which tracks for an Administration of None of the Talents,” said journalist Mark Chadbourn. “It’ll probably be Laura Loomer. She seems to be what MAGA considers a national security expert these days.”