Trump appoints India Caucus co-chair Mike Waltz as NSA

Trump picks China hawk, India’s friend as NSA

In a significant move for US-India relations, President-elect Donald Trump has announced the appointment of Congressman Mike Waltz from Florida as his National Security Adviser. Waltz, 50, a retired Army colonel and Green Beret, is a prominent voice in Congress on foreign policy and national security issues. His appointment marks one of the first high-profile decisions in Trump’s transition to the White House.

Waltz has represented Florida’s 6th Congressional District since 2019 and is known for his outspoken criticism of President Joe Biden’s foreign policy. He serves on key committees, including the House Armed Services Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the House Intelligence Committee. Waltz is also a co-chair of the bipartisan India Caucus in the House of Representatives, which is the largest country-specific caucus in Congress.

A staunch advocate for stronger US support of Ukraine and a vocal critic of the Biden administration’s handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal, Waltz aligns closely with Trump’s foreign policy stance, especially on defense and global security matters. He has called for greater contributions from European allies in support of Ukraine and has supported more stringent policies on military assistance to the embattled nation.

Waltz’s appointment is viewed as a strong signal of Trump’s continued commitment to strengthening ties with India, a key partner in the Indo-Pacific region. Waltz’s leadership in the India Caucus has made him a respected figure in fostering US-India relations, and his background in special operations gives him a unique perspective on global security challenges.

In addition to his work on Ukraine, Waltz has been a leading voice in addressing the growing military threat posed by China, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. He has raised concerns about US military readiness for potential conflict in the region, a priority that aligns with Trump’s hardline stance on China.

Although Waltz was considered a potential candidate to lead the Department of Defense, the National Security Adviser role, which does not require Senate confirmation, was ultimately his to take. He had previously expressed interest in serving in the Trump administration and has now been tapped for one of the most crucial positions in the national security apparatus.

Waltz’s appointment follows a series of rapid announcements by Trump regarding his incoming administration, signaling that he is moving quickly to assemble his senior team. Other key appointments include Susan Wiles as White House Chief of Staff, making her the first woman to hold the position, and Stephen Miller, a senior adviser, known for his hardline stance on immigration, including his past efforts to curb the H-1B visa program.

Trump has also named several other high-profile individuals to senior roles, including Tom Homan as Border Czar, Elise Stefanik as US Ambassador to the United Nations, and Lee Zeldin as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.

With the Trump administration’s appointments rapidly taking shape, the President-elect is positioning his team to address both domestic and international challenges from day one of his second term.

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