Trump’s US Ambassador Post Still Unfilled Days Before UN General Assembly

Former national security advisor Mike Waltz, President Donald Trump’s nominee for ambassador to the United Nations (UN), is waiting on Senate confirmation as the first General Assembly session of the president’s second term approaches.

If Waltz, a former Florida congressman, is not confirmed before the assembly convenes for its high-level meetings on Monday, his role at the summit would be limited. He could still participate in a reduced capacity, NBC News reported.

.@VP on @MikeWaltz47: “He is being made ambassador to the United Nations — which, of course, is a Senate-confirmed position … We brought Mike on to do some serious reforms to the National Security Council. He has done that.” pic.twitter.com/cukMGJgBtJ

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 1, 2025

In a 53-45 vote Sept. 11, the Senate passed a new rule allowing unlimited nominees to be confirmed en bloc, streamlining the process by bypassing individual consideration, according to the outlet. Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune recently advanced a package of 48 Trump nominees through the procedural change. (RELATED: John Thune To Steamroll Chuck Schumer’s Blockade Of Trump Nominees Through ‘Nuclear Option’)

But Waltz was one notable name left off the list, just days before the UN General Assembly convenes in New York.

The Senate did confirm chief White House economist Stephen Miran to the Federal Reserve Board on Monday evening in a 50-44 vote, clearing the way for him to participate in the Fed’s mid-September meeting on interest rates beginning Tuesday.

A Senate GOP aide told the Daily Caller, “The Senate is processing nominees based on the White House’s order of priority.”

Waltz’s nomination was initially advanced out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in July on a 12–10 vote, but the panel was required to revote this week due to a procedural issue, according to NBC News.

The committee advanced Waltz’s nomination again on Sept. 11 to the full Senate by an 11–10 vote, with New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen being the only Democrat supporting him and Republican Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul the sole GOP senator opposing.

When asked by the Daily Caller whether Waltz was expected to be confirmed before Monday, a White House official said, “President Trump has been clear that he wants all of his nominees confirmed as quickly as possible.”

A State Department spokesperson added that they are working closely with the White House and hoping that Waltz confirmation will be complete this week.

“The State Department has worked closely with the White House to advance every one of our nominees as quickly as possible. We continue to push for political appointees, including Mike Waltz, to be confirmed by the Senate,” the spokesperson said. “While we hope his nomination is finalized this week ahead of UNGA’s high-level meetings, Mr. Waltz is expected to attend State Department-hosted events to represent the U.S. in his unofficial capacity.”

Republicans largely blamed the delays on confirming nominees on Democratic obstruction ahead of the August recess, including their refusal to advance nominees by unanimous consent. (RELATED: Are Republicans Doing Enough To Confirm Trump Nominees? Conservative Critics Say No)

Following his removal as national security adviser in May, Waltz was listed as an “advisor” on White House records as of July 1, with an annual salary of $195,000. He is also awaiting confirmation before moving into the official U.N. ambassador’s residence. (RELATED: Trump Nominates Mike Waltz For UN Ambassador, Confirms He’ll No Longer Serve As National Security Advisor)

I’m deeply honored to continue my service to President Trump and our great nation. pic.twitter.com/FFTPjnIYkI

— Mike Waltz (@MikeWaltz47) May 1, 2025

In March, Waltz mistakenly added The Atlantic Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg to a Signal chat about planned strikes in Yemen — Trump later defended Waltz, saying he had “learned his lesson” and calling him a “good man.”