ALBAWABA - After Donald Trump chose her husband, Mike Waltz, as National Security Advisor, Julia Nesheiwat, a distinguished American professor and former government official, gained attention.
Nesheiwat was born in Carmel, New York, in 1975 to Jordanian Christian immigrants and raised in Umatilla, Florida. She has a BA from Stetson University, an MA from Georgetown, and a PhD from Tokyo Tech.
After being commissioned in 1997, Nesheiwat became a military intelligence officer. She received the Bronze Star Medal during Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq. She departed the military as captain.
Nesheiwat served in several U.S. administrations. Under George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump, she held senior national security and economic policy positions. Her most notable role was as Trump's 10th Homeland Security Advisor from 2020 to 2021. Her Bush administration posts included State Department seniority and Office of the Director of National Intelligence Policy Chief.
She worked closely with former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to develop national security and economic resiliency initiatives.
Mike Waltz, her spouse, is a veteran Army Special Forces officer and Trump supporter. Waltz has 24 years of military experience, including a colonelship in the National Guard. He specializes in counterterrorism and defense. His post as National Security Advisor does not require Senate confirmation, making him a crucial figure in Trump's security plans.
Nesheiwat's outstanding career and Jordanian-American ancestry provide a distinct layer to the couple's spotlight as Waltz prepares to play the role.
