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Who is Laura Loomer, the far-right influencer behind national security firings? Who is Laura Loomer, the far-right influencer behind Trump’s national security firings?
(about 7 hours later)
The white nationalist has been in Trump’s orbit for years, although the White House has tried to sideline her at timesThe white nationalist has been in Trump’s orbit for years, although the White House has tried to sideline her at times
Laura Loomer, a rightwing extremist and political influencer known for her incendiary social media presence, appeared to have been sidelined at points by Donald Trump’s election campaign and then by his new administration.Laura Loomer, a rightwing extremist and political influencer known for her incendiary social media presence, appeared to have been sidelined at points by Donald Trump’s election campaign and then by his new administration.
But she has long had the US president’s ear and may have it again, at least for now.But she has long had the US president’s ear and may have it again, at least for now.
In an Oval Office meeting on Wednesday, the infamous white nationalist and conspiracy theorist urged Trump to fire national security council officials for being insufficiently loyal, as the team struggled to answer questions not only about why Trump’s top security leaders were using Signal, a publicly available encrypted app, to discuss a military operation in Yemen, but also how a journalist was mistakenly added to the group chat.In an Oval Office meeting on Wednesday, the infamous white nationalist and conspiracy theorist urged Trump to fire national security council officials for being insufficiently loyal, as the team struggled to answer questions not only about why Trump’s top security leaders were using Signal, a publicly available encrypted app, to discuss a military operation in Yemen, but also how a journalist was mistakenly added to the group chat.
Trump endorsed her assessment, people familiar with the matter told the Associated Press. He later then fired the director of the National Security Agency and his deputy director, several outlets reported, with Loomer posting on X about it on Friday morning with a screed of ad hominem attacks against Democratic appointees.Trump endorsed her assessment, people familiar with the matter told the Associated Press. He later then fired the director of the National Security Agency and his deputy director, several outlets reported, with Loomer posting on X about it on Friday morning with a screed of ad hominem attacks against Democratic appointees.
It was the latest sign of Loomer’s influence, even as she has faced criticism for entertaining 9/11 conspiracy theories and her history of anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim posts.It was the latest sign of Loomer’s influence, even as she has faced criticism for entertaining 9/11 conspiracy theories and her history of anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim posts.
Here’s what to know about Loomer and what both she and Trump said about the latest incident.Here’s what to know about Loomer and what both she and Trump said about the latest incident.
Loomer, 31, has been involved in politics as an advocate of Trump. She twice unsuccessfully ran for Congress, in 2020 and 2022, in south Florida and had been known for staging protests including handcuffing herself to a Twitter office after the service banned her and jumping a fence at a home owned by the then House speaker Nancy Pelosi.Loomer, 31, has been involved in politics as an advocate of Trump. She twice unsuccessfully ran for Congress, in 2020 and 2022, in south Florida and had been known for staging protests including handcuffing herself to a Twitter office after the service banned her and jumping a fence at a home owned by the then House speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Last year, Loomer accompanied Trump on his 9/11 anniversary travels in New York and Pennsylvania and was also seen walking out of the plane the previous day after the then Republican presidential candidate landed in Philadelphia to debate his electoral opponent, then US vice-president Kamala Harris. Loomer said she was invited those days as a guest.Last year, Loomer accompanied Trump on his 9/11 anniversary travels in New York and Pennsylvania and was also seen walking out of the plane the previous day after the then Republican presidential candidate landed in Philadelphia to debate his electoral opponent, then US vice-president Kamala Harris. Loomer said she was invited those days as a guest.
Loomer said she never officially joined the campaign after Trump’s allies preferred he would keep his distance from her.Loomer said she never officially joined the campaign after Trump’s allies preferred he would keep his distance from her.
Loomer has been banned from numerous social media platforms, including Facebook. She posted during last year’s presidential campaign that if Harris beat Trump, “the White House will smell like curry & White House speeches will be facilitated via a call center”, alluding to Harris’s Indian and Jamaican heritage.Loomer has been banned from numerous social media platforms, including Facebook. She posted during last year’s presidential campaign that if Harris beat Trump, “the White House will smell like curry & White House speeches will be facilitated via a call center”, alluding to Harris’s Indian and Jamaican heritage.
In December, she publicly sparred with billionaire Trump adviser Elon Musk, a native of South Africa, over their opposing positions on the use of skilled migration visas.In December, she publicly sparred with billionaire Trump adviser Elon Musk, a native of South Africa, over their opposing positions on the use of skilled migration visas.
The conservative activist says such visas go against the “America First” agenda. Her account on X, formerly Twitter and now owned by Musk, was temporarily suspended, but she’s back on it now.The conservative activist says such visas go against the “America First” agenda. Her account on X, formerly Twitter and now owned by Musk, was temporarily suspended, but she’s back on it now.
Earlier this month, Trump ended Secret Service protection details assigned to Democrat Joe Biden’s adult children after a report from Loomer with photos showing Hunter Biden’s protective detail while in South Africa.Earlier this month, Trump ended Secret Service protection details assigned to Democrat Joe Biden’s adult children after a report from Loomer with photos showing Hunter Biden’s protective detail while in South Africa.
Loomer has a podcast called Loomer Unleashed on Rumble, a platform known for streaming far-right figures. The influencer frequently makes anti-Islam and anti-immigrant posts on social media and made extremely racist and sexist attacks against Harris. She once shared a video on X that said “9/11 was an Inside Job!”Loomer has a podcast called Loomer Unleashed on Rumble, a platform known for streaming far-right figures. The influencer frequently makes anti-Islam and anti-immigrant posts on social media and made extremely racist and sexist attacks against Harris. She once shared a video on X that said “9/11 was an Inside Job!”
During last year’s election after her racist posts about Harris, Trump said, “Laura’s been a supporter of mine” and that she had “strong opinions”, but denied knowledge of her comments. He would later post on his Truth Social account that he disagreed with her comments.During last year’s election after her racist posts about Harris, Trump said, “Laura’s been a supporter of mine” and that she had “strong opinions”, but denied knowledge of her comments. He would later post on his Truth Social account that he disagreed with her comments.
Trump denied on Thursday that Loomer had anything to do with officials being ousted from their jobs at the national security council, calling her a “very good patriot and a very strong person”.Trump denied on Thursday that Loomer had anything to do with officials being ousted from their jobs at the national security council, calling her a “very good patriot and a very strong person”.
Trump told reporters on Air Force One as he made his way to Miami that she had only made recommendations.Trump told reporters on Air Force One as he made his way to Miami that she had only made recommendations.
“Sometimes I listen to those recommendations, like I do with everybody,” Trump said, adding: “She’s usually very constructive. She recommended certain people for jobs.”“Sometimes I listen to those recommendations, like I do with everybody,” Trump said, adding: “She’s usually very constructive. She recommended certain people for jobs.”