UN ambassador nominee Mike Waltz brushes off Senate' Democrats' Signalgate questions

Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News on Jul 15, 2025

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Mike Waltz brushed off questions about his role in the Signalgate group chat scandal on Tuesday at his Senate confirmation hearing to be United Nations ambassador.

Quizzed by Democrats about the security lapse, Waltz insisted he abided by administration policies when he used the unsecure messaging app in March to host a chat with top level officials regarding an impending U.S. attack on Houthi rebels.

Waltz, who was forced out as National Security Adviser over the incident, claimed that “no classified information” was divulged on the chat even though Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth disclosed key details of the military strike in real time to the group, which included Atlantic Editor Jeffrey Goldberg.

“We both know Signal is not an appropriate and secure means of communicating highly sensitive information,” countered Sen. Chris Coons, D-Delaware.

Waltz said the chat was a non-issue because the attack on the Houthis was deemed a success in the end.

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., argued that Waltz had made false assertions about how he inadvertently added Goldberg to the chat group: “I’ve seen you not only fail to stand up, but lie.”

There is little sign of Republican opposition to Waltz, meaning he should cruise to confirmation in the body that the GOP controls by a 53-47 margin.

The former Florida lawmaker mostly focused his remarks on his planned role as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, saying he plans to “make the U.N. great again,” a nod to Donald Trump’s MAGA slogan.

“We should have one place in the world where everyone can talk — where China, Russia, Europe and the developing world can come together and resolve conflicts,” Waltz said of the U.N. “But after 80 years, it’s drifted from its core mission of peacemaking.”

Waltz vowed to be a voice against antisemitism and standing up for Israel in the world body, which has been critical of the Netanyahu government’s war in Gaza.

He called for the abolition of the United Nations’ main Palestinian refugee agency, saying it has failed its mission and is too cozy with Hamas terrorists.

The U.N envoy post is the last one to be filled in Trump’s cabinet following months of delays.

The nomination of Trump’s first pick, Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-New York, was yanked amid questions over whether Republicans would hold her far upstate congressional seat, which she won by 20% last year.