President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Florida Congressman Mike Waltz as his administration’s national security adviser, a source familiar with the decision confirmed to Scripps News.

“Mike has been a staunch supporter of my “America First” foreign policy agenda and will be a formidable supporter of our pursuit of peace through strength!” Trump said in a statement.

Waltz, a Green Beret veteran and retired National Guard colonel, served in the U.S. armed forces for 27 years. He was elected to represent Florida’s 6th District in the United States House of Representatives in 2018, where he succeeded current Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Scripps News spoke with Rep. Waltz on election night about a week ago, where he outlined the risks of global conflict from an energy perspective, particularly as they relate to Ukraine.

Florida Rep. Mike Waltz discusses foreign policy and energy goals

“I think all of this will be based on energy policy,” Waltz said of potential policy changes during Trump’s second term. “If we just lift the (liquefied natural gas) ban and don’t do things like Biden did by canceling the Keystone XL pipeline.”

“We really need to put our foot on the gas when it comes to producing oil and gas around the world. You’re driving prices down around the world, which will dry up Putin’s war machine, which will will dry up the Iranian war machine.

“Right now, Vladimir Putin is selling more oil and gas into the Indian and Chinese markets than he ever did before the war,” Waltz said. “This is literally what gives him the resources to continue the war in Ukraine.”

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Iran is also “worried about President Trump’s return to power,” Waltz said. “They see it as an existential threat.”

“They clearly do not want a return to maximum pressure. As long as, from a political point of view, they have ample liquidity, they will help Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis rebuild, despite Israeli successes,” he declared. “You will never succeed in restoring peace to the Middle East as long as Iran sells oil the way it does.”