National security adviser Mike Waltz and his deputy, Alex Wong, will be leaving their posts in the Trump administration weeks after the Signal leak scandal, according to US broadcasting network CBS. Mr Waltz, serving as National Security Advisor, became embroiled in the controversy after inadvertently adding journalist Jeffrey Goldberg to a Signal group chat discussing sensitive US military operations in Yemen.

The chat included high-ranking officials such as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance, and contained detailed operational plans. Waltz publicly took full responsibility for the mishap, acknowledging the error as “embarrassing”. The incident sparked bipartisan criticism, with some lawmakers calling for Mr Waltz’s resignation and raising concerns about the use of unsecured communication platforms for classified information.

President Donald Trump, however, initially defended Mr Waltz, suggesting that the issue stemmed from technological imperfections rather than misconduct .​

He described it “the only glitch in two months” of his administration, adding: “Michael Waltz has learned a lesson, and he’s a good man.”

If the reports are accurate, Mr Waltz will by far the highest profile Trump appointee to leave his job so far since the billionaire returned to the White House in January. The timing – just after he reached the 100-day mark – would appear to be significant.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is also heavily embroiled in the controversy and speculation is mounting about his position.

Express.co.uk has approached the White House for comment.

Speaking at the time, Mr Waltz said: “I take full responsibility. I built the group.”

“We’ve got the best technical minds looking at how this happened.”

“I can tell you for 100% I don’t know this guy.”

Asked how Mr Goldberg’s details had been added, he said: “Well, if you have somebody else’s contact, then somehow it … gets sucked in. It gets sucked in.”

Mr Waltz has been under siege from personalities such as Laura Loomer, who had been complaining to administration officials that she had been excluded from the vetting process for National Security Council aides.

In her view, Mr Waltz relied too much on “neocons” — referring to hawkish neoconservatives within the Republican Party — as well as others who Loomer argued were “not-MAGA-enough” types.

Mr Waltz was on television as late as Thursday morning, promoting the administration’s agreement with Kyiv that would allow the US to access Ukraine’s critical minerals and other natural resources.

As reports began to circulate that Waltz could be leaving the administration, Loomer appeared to take credit in a post on the social media site X, writing: “SCALP.”

Speaking at an event to mark National Prayer Day today, Mr Trump appeared to back under-pressure Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, also cauught up in the controversy, declaring that he was doing a “fantastic job”.