If you’re looking for a simple name to put on a trivia card, you might be surprised. As of early 2026, the situation regarding who is Trump’s national security advisor is actually a bit unconventional.
Right now, Marco Rubio is the man in the hot seat. But here’s the kicker: he’s doing it as the Acting National Security Advisor while simultaneously serving as the U.S. Secretary of State.
It’s a massive double-duty role that hasn't really been seen since the days of Henry Kissinger. You might remember that Donald Trump originally tapped Mike Waltz, the former Green Beret and Florida Congressman, for the job when he took office in January 2025. Waltz was the "peace through strength" guy everyone expected to see in the West Wing for the long haul.
But in this administration, things move fast.
The Mike Waltz Era (And Why It Ended)
Mike Waltz was the first Green Beret ever elected to Congress. He had the resume: four Bronze Stars, tours in Afghanistan, and a reputation for being a "China hawk." When Trump appointed him, it seemed like a match made in heaven. Waltz was the architect of a lot of the early "America First" foreign policy moves in 2025.
However, the honeymoon didn't last. By May 2025, Waltz was out of the White House.
There was a lot of noise about why he left. Officially, he was moved over to become the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, a role the Senate eventually confirmed him for in September 2025. But behind the scenes? Reports swirled about "Signal chat leaks" and a secret meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that apparently happened without Trump's full sign-off.
In Trump's world, the National Security Advisor (NSA) is the person who has the President's ear every single morning. If that trust wavers, the job usually ends. Waltz lasted about 101 days—longer than Mike Flynn’s 24-day sprint in the first term, but still a blink of an eye in Washington time.
Marco Rubio’s Double Life
Since May 1, 2025, Marco Rubio has been steering the ship. This is a huge deal because the National Security Advisor doesn't require Senate confirmation, but the Secretary of State does. Rubio cruised through his confirmation with a 99-0 vote, which is unheard of lately.
Having one person run the State Department (the diplomats) and the National Security Council (the President's private policy shop) is a power move. It basically means the friction that usually exists between the "ivory tower" diplomats and the White House staff is gone. Rubio is the one-stop shop for Trump’s foreign policy.
What is Rubio focusing on in 2026?
The vibe has shifted from the "Great Power Competition" talk of the last decade. Honestly, the 2026 focus is much closer to home.
- The Trump Corollary: Rubio and the NSC are leaning hard into a new version of the Monroe Doctrine. They aren't just looking at China; they’re looking at cartels and "narco-terrorists" in the Western Hemisphere.
- Economic Security: You’ve probably noticed that "security" now means "jobs." The NSC is treating trade deals and factory openings like they’re military operations.
- The "Golden Dome": There’s a massive push for a domestic missile defense system, which Rubio has been championing from his dual-hatted position.
Who else is in the room?
While Rubio has the title, he isn't doing this alone. You can't run two of the biggest jobs in the world without a heavy-hitting staff.
The National Security Council (NSC) has been slimmed down significantly since the Waltz exit. Trump famously wanted to "cut the fat" from the deep state, and that included the NSC staff.
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Stephen Miller is a name you need to know here. While his official title is Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, he has effectively become the "Homeland Security Advisor." Because the 2026 National Security Strategy treats the border as the primary "front line," Miller’s influence on national security is arguably just as big as Rubio's.
Then there’s Sebastian Gorka. He’s back in the White House, officially focused on counterterrorism and homeland security. He’s the firebrand of the group, often acting as the bridge between the high-level policy Rubio sets and the "America First" base.
Why the National Security Advisor Matters
Basically, this person is the filter. Everything that happens in the world—a coup in Africa, a chip shortage in Taiwan, a submarine sighting in the Atlantic—gets condensed into a briefing. The NSA decides what the President sees and, more importantly, what he doesn't see.
In the first term, Trump had four different NSAs (Flynn, McMaster, Bolton, O'Brien). This time around, by merging the role with the Secretary of State via Rubio, he’s trying for something different: total alignment. No more "Team of Rivals" bickering.
Actionable Insights for 2026
If you’re tracking how this affects you or your business, keep an eye on these three things:
- Watch the Western Hemisphere: The focus has shifted from the Middle East to Latin America. If you have interests in trade or logistics in the Americas, Rubio’s NSC is making this the top priority.
- The "America First" Filter: Every national security decision is being passed through an economic lens. If a security move doesn't help the U.S. industrial base, it's likely not going to happen.
- Direct Presidential Access: Because Rubio is also Secretary of State, the State Department actually has more influence now than it has in years. The "diplomats" are no longer sidelined; they are the White House team.
The role of the National Security Advisor in 2026 is less about being a "general" and more about being a "closer" for the President's specific vision of a secured border and a dominant economy. Whether Rubio keeps both hats for the rest of the term is anyone's guess, but for now, he is the undisputed architect of the administration's global strategy.