Washington: President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly chosen U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz, a retired Army National Guard officer and seasoned war veteran, as his national security adviser. A person familiar with the decision disclosed this development on Monday, though Trump has yet to make a formal announcement.

The selection could prompt concerns within Congress, where there is reluctance to draw more GOP members from the House due to potential special elections to fill vacancies.

Extensive Experience in National Security
Waltz, a three-term GOP congressman representing east-central Florida, brings a wealth of experience to the role. As the first Green Beret elected to the House, he has served as chairman of the Armed Services subcommittee on readiness and is a member of the Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Committees. In last week's election, Waltz won his seat decisively.

His career includes multiple combat tours across Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Africa, earning him four Bronze Stars, including two for valour. Waltz also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser under defence chiefs Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates.

A Trump Loyalist with a Hawkish Stance
An ardent Trump supporter, Waltz backed efforts to challenge the 2020 election results. Known for his hawkish views on China, he called for a boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, citing China’s role in the COVID-19 pandemic and its treatment of Uighur Muslims. Waltz has also been vocal about the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, urging accountability for the deaths of U.S. service members at Kabul’s Abbey Gate.

Focused on "Readiness" Over "Woke" Policies
Waltz has criticised what he and Trump describe as a “woke” military, arguing that the U.S. Armed Forces should prioritise combat readiness over diversity and equity programs. As head of the readiness subcommittee, he stated: “I am ready to better equip our military and turn our focus away from woke priorities and back to winning wars. Our national security depends on it.”

With AP inputs