Mike Waltz’s Rise and Fall: From Green Beret to National Security Scandal 2025

Mike Waltz’s journey from the harsh landscape of Afghanistan to the White House corridors is a tribute to service, ambition, and the complex dance of politics. Waltz’s career has been characterised by notable accomplishments and current controversies as the first Green Beret elected to Congress and later selected as President Donald Trump’s National Security Advisor. ​Mike Waltz’s trajectory from the battlefields of Afghanistan to the halls of Congress and the White House underscores a career marked by service, ambition, and recent controversy. ——————————————————————————————–

From Battlefield to Capitol Hill

Michael George Glen Waltz was born in Boynton Beach, Florida, in 1974. His early years were marked by perseverance. He was raised in Jacksonville by a single mother and attended the Virginia Military Institute to study abroad, graduating in 1996 with honours. He joined the U.S. Army as a Special Forces officer after his dedication to service brought him four Bronze Stars from several combat missions in Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa. ​ Mike Waltz moved from the military to the political sphere, working at the Pentagon and advising Vice President Dick Cheney on counterterrorism. He succeeded Ron DeSantis as the representative of Florida’s 6th congressional district in 2018. He was well-known for his strong foreign policy views during his term, especially with regard to China and the Middle East. As he moved into policy positions, Waltz advised Vice President Dick Cheney on counterterrorism and directed defence policy for Secretaries of Defence Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates. His book, Warrior Diplomat: A Green Beret’s Battles from Washington to Afghanistan, is the result of his experiences, and the money raised from it goes to veteran organisations. ——————————————————————————————-

Championing U.S.-India Relations

Waltz’s attempts to improve ties between the United States and India during his time in Congress were noteworthy. He was instrumental in setting up Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2023 speech on Capitol Hill as co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans. He has continuously pushed for closer defence and security cooperation between the two democracies, highlighting cooperative production projects and joint military drills. Mike Waltz became the first Green Beret in Congress in 2018 when he was elected to represent Florida’s 6th congressional district. In addition to co-chairing the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans and serving on important committees including Armed Services and Intelligence, he promoted closer ties between the United States and India. ​ Waltz was known for his strong foreign policy views during his time in Congress, especially with regard to China and the Middle East. He was an outspoken opponent of the U.S. departure from Afghanistan and urged for a boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to human rights concerns. —————————————————————————————-

The “Signalgate” Scandal and Resignation

Waltz became the National Security Advisor in January 2025. But his time there was brief. He unintentionally invited reporter Jeffrey Goldberg to join a Signal group chat in March that was discussing classified military plans aimed at Houthi rebels in Yemen. The disclosure of these conversations, known as “Signalgate,” sparked grave worries about national security. Waltz resigned on May 1, 2025, along with his deputy, Alex Wong, despite efforts to lessen the consequences, which included publicly praising President Trump. ————————————————————————————-

Mike Waltz Legacy and Future Prospects

A combination of political aspirations and military bravery may be seen throughout Waltz’s career. His foreign policy efforts have had a long-lasting effect, particularly in connection to U.S.-India relations and thwarting Chinese influence. The “Signalgate” affair, however, highlights the difficulties in handling high-stakes positions in national security. It’s unclear what Waltz’s next move will be when the political climate changes. Green Beret, serving multiple combat tours in Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa. His military service earned him four Bronze Stars, including two for valor.