A security breach involving national security adviser Mike Waltz has triggered intense debate inside the White House over his future. Waltz, a key administration figure, accidentally included a reporter in a private group chat discussing military plans, leading some White House officials to question his ability to continue in the role.

Sources close to the administration revealed that internal discussions are ongoing, with some suggesting Waltz may need to resign to prevent further embarrassment for President Donald Trump.

"Half of them are saying he’s never going to survive or shouldn’t survive," one senior official told POLITICO on Monday afternoon, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Two high-level aides have reportedly floated the idea that Waltz should step down to spare the president from being put in a difficult position.

“Half of them saying he’s never going to survive or shouldn’t survive,” said a senior administration official. “It was reckless not to check who was on the thread. It was reckless to be having that conversation on Signal. You can’t have recklessness as the national security adviser."

A blunt assessment came from another White House source who simply stated, “Everyone in the White House can agree on one thing: Mike Waltz is a fucking idiot.”

The breach occurred on March 11, when Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg was added to a group chat, titled “Houthi PC small group,” alongside top administration officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The chat discussed sensitive military matters, including plans for a strike against the Houthi group in Yemen.

In the wake of the incident, President Trump has spoken with Waltz, and, for now, the White House has stood by him. 

“As President Trump said, the attacks on the Houthis have been highly successful and effective. President Trump continues to have the utmost confidence in his national security team, including national security adviser Mike Waltz," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

However, White House officials have noted that Waltz’s fate largely depends on how the president feels about the matter. One official pointed out that other top figures involved in the Signal chat, including Vance and Hegseth, could also face scrutiny for their roles in the incident.

In the group chat, Vance reportedly questioned the timing of military actions against the Houthis, saying, “I am not sure the president is aware how inconsistent this is with his message on Europe right now. There’s a further risk that we see a moderate to severe spike in oil prices. I am willing to support the consensus of the team and keep these concerns to myself.”

The incident has also reignited criticism of Waltz from some factions within the administration, especially those who have long suspected him of having neoconservative leanings. Waltz, a former adviser to Vice President Dick Cheney, has recently adopted a more "America First" foreign policy stance, which has drawn both praise and skepticism from different quarters.

Conservative critics, particularly isolationist voices, have questioned why Waltz had Goldberg's phone number in the first place. This has fueled concerns that Waltz may still harbor ties to neoconservative elements within the administration.

Meanwhile, the incident has prompted some Republican lawmakers to voice their concerns. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, called the breach “unconscionable,” while Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said it would be a “concern” and noted that his committee would be “definitely looking into it.”

Despite the controversy, some Republicans have expressed their support for Waltz, arguing that the incident should not cost him his job.

“He’s exceptionally qualified for the job. He is trusted — trustworthy. He was made for that job, and I have full confidence in him," House Speaker Mike Johnson, a former colleague of Waltz, told POLITICO. 

While no final decision has been made, the White House is expected to move quickly on the matter, with Waltz’s position remaining uncertain for the time being. Many Republicans, however, are hoping the national security adviser will weather the storm.

For now, President Trump is reportedly watching how the situation unfolds, with key decisions expected in the coming days.