In the world of high-stakes politics and national defense, trust isn’t just earned—it’s guarded, protected, and treated as sacred. That’s why Mike Waltz’s meteoric rise to National Security Advisor, followed by his even faster fall from grace in the wake of the “SignalGate” scandal, has set off alarm bells across the conservative landscape.

A Cautionary Tale in National Security

Mike Waltz, a decorated Green Beret and staunch conservative voice in Congress, came into the role of National Security Advisor with high hopes and bold promises. Many conservatives, myself included, were cautiously optimistic. We believed his military background and tough talk on China and Iran would bring a no-nonsense approach to national defense. Unfortunately, what we got was a textbook example of how technology mismanagement and poor operational discipline can unravel even the most promising appointments.

The “SignalGate” Scandal: Not Just a Glitch

At the center of this mess is the infamous Signal group chat. Waltz and his team, reportedly coordinating military airstrikes in Yemen, mistakenly added Atlantic journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a highly sensitive chat. Let that sink in. A civilian journalist was brought into a digital war room where real-time operational planning was taking place. That’s not just a slip-up—that’s a full-blown security breach.

As believers in personal responsibility, we don’t believe in passing the buck. Whether Waltz personally added Goldberg or not, the buck stops at the top. Waltz was the one trusted with the nation’s most classified conversations. A man can’t ask for the keys to the kingdom and then claim ignorance when the gates get left wide open.

TeleMessage and the Mirage of Cybersecurity

To make matters worse, the administration had been using TeleMessage, a secure archiving platform that, in theory, was supposed to safeguard Signal conversations. But as reported, the platform suffered a serious breach—exposing user contact lists and metadata to cyber attackers. It’s a dangerous reminder that our enemies aren’t just on the battlefield—they’re in cyberspace too.

Using third-party apps for national security work is like storing your family’s birth certificates in a shoebox on the front porch. It’s not just reckless; it’s inexcusable.

A Reassignment, not a Promotion

President Trump’s decision to move Waltz from the White House to the United Nations should be seen for what it is: damage control. Calling it a “promotion” is like saying the Titanic got a new paint job after hitting the iceberg. In reality, this is a quiet sidelining to get the scandal out of the Situation Room and into the diplomatic circuit.

Waltz’s chances of confirmation? Tough to say. Senate Democrats are circling like sharks, and even some Senate Republicans are showing signs of hesitation. And who can blame them? Appointing someone to represent America on the world stage, especially at the U.N.—a body already skeptical of President Trump’s foreign policy—requires unimpeachable competence. Right now, Waltz looks like a man with more baggage than credentials.

Grace and Accountability

As Christians, we believe in redemption. The Bible says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). But grace doesn’t mean we hand out important jobs like participation trophies. Proverbs 22:29 reminds us: “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings.” Waltz has not been diligent—he’s been careless, and that matters.

Leadership is about more than loyalty. It’s about character, competence, and judgment. And when national security is involved, there’s no room for amateur hour.

Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead

Mike Waltz’s journey from Congress to the National Security Council and now (potentially) to the United Nations should serve as a sobering lesson to all conservatives: loyalty without accountability is a dangerous game. If we want a government that honors conservative values, protects American interests, and leads with moral clarity, then we need leaders who can do more than talk tough—they need to act wisely.

Waltz may still have a future in public service. But unless and until he demonstrates a serious change in approach, his nomination should be paused, not pushed. America can’t afford another lapse in judgment—not at home, and certainly not on the world stage.