User's manual to Waltz's NSA exit and its reverberations on Capitol Hill

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Mike Waltz out as Trump's national security advisor

Mike Waltz is out as the national security advisor, along with his deputy. Chief national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin reports the latest on the ousting and what's likely to come.

Some context on national security advisor Michael Waltz being bounced from the position, which has sent shockwaves through Capitol Hill.

He served for a little more than 100 days in that role after giving up a safe House seat in Florida.

Keep in mind that former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., gave up his safe seat as well when he was nominated to become attorney general. Gaetz then withdrew his name from consideration.

Mike Waltz and President Donald Trump (Getty Images)

Republicans later sweated two special elections in GOP-leaning districts as their House majority waned.

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So both former Florida House members never served in the Trump administration, or did so for a short period.

Rep. Matt Gaetz speaks at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on July 17, 2024. (AP/J. Scott Applewhite)

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump yanked the nomination of Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., to be U.N. ambassador because there was concern about losing those Florida seats. Stefanik never got a confirmation vote and was forced to stay in the House – without a formal leadership position or a committee chairmanship.

Stefanik is also openly feuding with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.

In a spectacular blow to Stefanik, Trump announced Waltz as his U.N. ambassador nominee soon after his exit as national security advisor made headlines Thursday afternoon.

Rep. Elise Stefanik listens as President Donald Trump speaks at the House Republicans Conference meeting on Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

"I am pleased to announce that I will be nominating Mike Waltz to be the next United States Ambassador to the United Nations," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "From his time in uniform on the battlefield, in Congress and, as my National Security Advisor, Mike Waltz has worked hard to put our Nation’s Interests first."

"I know he will do the same in his new role. In the interim, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will serve as National Security Advisor, while continuing his strong leadership at the State Department. Together, we will continue to fight tirelessly to Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"

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This is an O. Henry-esque plot twist. 

What this really does is stick it to Stefanik, who had her nomination for that position pulled and is now marooned in the House without a committee chairmanship or a formal, elected position in the House GOP leadership apparatus.