Rep. Himes says Waltz’s exit weakens the national security team

With Mike Waltz’s exit as national security adviser, Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.) warned Sunday that the shift in leadership removes one check on the power of those in the Trump administration with the worst impulses.

Himes has previously characterized Waltz in a positive light, referring to the former Florida member of Congress as one of the “proverbial adults in the room” of the Trump administration’s senior officials.

“I would put Marco Rubio … in the category of also, though I may not agree with him on everything, an adult in the room,” Himes said during an appearance on “Fox News Sunday.” “What worries me about Marco Rubio's role now is that, secretary of state and national security adviser, both of those jobs are too big for one person.”

Rubio, already leading the State Department, is currently filling the national security adviser role in an interim capacity after Waltz was removed from the post following a tenure marred by the fallout of Signalgate. Himes questioned the sustainability of employing Rubio with so much responsibility, saying “these are people who actually need sleep, if we’re going to stay out of wars and stuff.”

The Connecticut Democrat noted that Waltz — who was quickly nominated to serve as U.N. ambassador — will face a Senate confirmation journey dominated by questions over his role in the encrypted communications scandal that unfolded in March. But Himes expressed deeper concern that Waltz’s departure from the White House, as the U.N. ambassador primarily resides in New York City, leaves Trump surrounded by loyalists rather than seasoned experts willing to offer dissent.

“You can't run anything, much less the United States is a national security policy without having people who are willing to put uncomfortable truths in front of the president,” Himes said. “And I fear that we have too few of those people right now.”

While Himes called Waltz’s role in accidentally adding Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg to a Signal group chat discussing sensitive military information with administration officials “irresponsible,” he seemed more frustrated with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s role in revealing operational details.

“We have evidence of the fact that Pete Hegseth is more focused on sort of communicating in social media and not acting responsibly,” Himes said.

While the administration touts its new minerals deal with Ukraine as leverage over Russia, Himes said Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown no serious interest in peace — even with Trump back in office.

With no permanent replacement for Waltz named and Rubio stretched thin, Himes said the stakes are rising: “I'm a little worried about the, you know, no national security adviser idea.”

On CBS' "Face the Nation," retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, who was national security adviser to Trump during his first term, shared concerns about the future of the national security team following Waltz’s departure.

“It seems pretty clear that President Trump is not very patient in terms of a deliberative process these days,” McMaster said on Sunday. “And this is why I think he may see the National Security Council staff as an impediment instead of, really, the best vehicle to drive his agenda and to integrate all elements of national power and efforts of like-minded partners to advance American interests.”