Power Struggles Inside the Trump Administration

The dismissal of U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz by President Donald Trump is being seen as another chapter in the ongoing ideological power struggle within the Trump administration. Just recently, four senior officials at the Pentagon were also removed from their posts. Two of them were known as “Prioritizers” in foreign policy circles, and had been labeled “isolationists” in pro-Israel media due to their critical stance on Israel.

A former Army officer, Waltz was frequently criticized by the “Anti-Neocon Trumpist” camp, which viewed him as a neoconservative figure. Conservative internet personality Laura Loomer had reportedly voiced concerns to Trump earlier this April about what she called a neocon takeover of the National Security Council (NSC). Shortly after that meeting, several senior NSC officials were dismissed. Loomer celebrated Waltz’s removal as a major victory.

Waltz is believed to have been fired over his alleged involvement in what has become known as the “Signalgate scandal.” Private Signal messages discussing U.S. airstrikes on Yemen were leaked by The Atlantic’s pro-Israel editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg—who, it turns out, had been added to the group chat by Waltz himself.

However, sources suggest the scandal was not the sole reason for Waltz’s ousting. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had actually shared the operational plans in that group chat. Many in the neocon and hawkish camps believe Hegseth, not Waltz, should have been dismissed. But the simultaneous firing of Waltz’s deputy, Alex Wong—another frequent target of anti-neocon criticism—suggests deeper political motives.

Another point of contention tied to Waltz’s removal is the internal debate over negotiations with Iran. Around the same time, reports emerged of Israel preparing a major strike against Iranian nuclear facilities. Tensions within Trump’s national security, defense, intelligence, and foreign policy teams over how to handle Iran were intensifying.

According to U.S. media, Vice President J.D. Vance, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff all favor negotiations with Iran. Meanwhile, Waltz and CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Kurilla are reportedly pushing for the U.S. to support Israel in a full-scale military strike. Waltz and Kurilla were even said to have discussed operational details for U.S. involvement in such a scenario.

Israel has reportedly been lobbying for the attack to take place before Kurilla leaves his post. But Trump’s apparent lean toward the negotiation camp has stalled those plans. At its core, the fight in Washington is between “America First” advocates—who want a limited deal to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon—and “Israel First” hawks—who demand the complete dismantling of Iran’s entire nuclear program, civilian or not.

Pro-Israel media claim that “America First” advisors are pushing Trump to accept a narrowly defined nuclear deal, which would not differ much from the agreement he scrapped in his first term. If Israel attacks while negotiations are ongoing, Trump’s response remains uncertain. The “America First” camp strongly opposes dragging the U.S. into another Middle Eastern war—a position that has gained significant traction within the Trump movement.

As a result, Trump appears to be navigating between the two factions. Meanwhile, “Israel First” hawks are doing everything they can to derail talks and push the U.S. into war alongside Israel. Convinced of Washington’s unconditional backing, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to act with impunity. Israel, increasingly unrestrained, is reportedly escalating attacks—both overt and covert—across the region, especially in Syria, in what many see as a deliberate attempt to spark a broader conflict.