Trump invites far-right activist Laura Loomer to Oval Office against White House advice
President Donald Trump recently held a meeting with controversial figure Laura Loomer in the Oval Office, defying the recommendations of his White House advisers. The meeting took place prior to a significant shake-up in the national security leadership of the United States, according to sources familiar with the situation.
After Loomer reached out to Trump via phone, the President instructed his staff to extend an invitation to her to visit the White House. Subsequently, key officials at the National Security Agency and the National Security Council were dismissed within a day of the meeting. Loomer had reportedly advocated for their removal during her conversation with Trump.
This unconventional move by Trump to engage with Loomer, known for her inflammatory rhetoric and controversial views, highlights the influence of external sources on the President’s decision-making process. Despite previous limitations on her access to Trump, Loomer’s recent visit underscores her continuing impact on shaping the administration’s direction.
In response to the meeting, Loomer has publicly criticized the President’s advisers for not thoroughly vetting individuals appointed to key positions in the White House and government. She has even announced the creation of an opposition research firm to scrutinize the backgrounds of executive branch hires, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and vetting for national security.
While Loomer has refrained from sharing specific details of her discussion with Trump, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to present her insights and pledged to support his agenda. Her unwavering loyalty to Trump and her vigilant stance against perceived disloyalty within the Republican Party have positioned her as a vocal defender of the President and his policies.
Following his defeat in 2020, Laura Loomer, who had previously made unsuccessful runs for Congress, has been trying to gain access to the West Wing in Washington. Despite regularly speaking with President Trump by phone, her attempts to secure greater access to the inner circle were largely thwarted by senior advisers. The White House did not approve her request for a press credential to attend daily briefings. However, during a recent phone conversation, Loomer presented detailed critiques of key intelligence officials to Trump, leading to the dismissal of some individuals. Trump acknowledged meeting with Loomer but downplayed her influence in the staff dismissals. It was reported that two more individuals were dismissed following Loomer’s recommendations. Despite claims by Loomer, sources stated that her access to the president was still limited. The firings occurred amidst internal scrutiny of national security operations, including discussions of an attack on Houthi rebels in Yemen. This is not the first time Loomer has seemingly influenced a Trump decision, as she previously accused Hunter Biden of vacationing with US Secret Service protection, prompting Trump to revoke it. Loomer’s position on the fringes of Trump’s inner circle has posed challenges for the Republican’s 2024 campaign.
At resort clubs, she would discuss her theories with him. A tense moment arose when Trump questioned Vice President Kamala Harris’ ethnicity during an interview at the National Association of Black Journalists convention last summer. An adviser attributed the incident to Loomer, who had baselessly accused Harris of hiding her Black heritage prior to Trump’s appearance. When asked by CNN in the fall, Loomer did not confirm if she influenced Trump’s comments. Loomer notably flew with Trump to the Republican National Convention last summer, shortly after an assassination attempt against him. She was also among his close allies departing his private plane before his debate with Harris in September. However, her close proximity to Trump became a point of contention. Democrats criticized her appearance with Trump at a memorial service for the September 11, 2001 attacks, especially after she had previously suggested the attacks were an “inside job.” Following the backlash, advisers limited Loomer’s access to Trump for the rest of the campaign. Nevertheless, Loomer recently voiced support for Trump’s decision to dismiss national security officials, thanking him on X for acting on vetting information and removing “Biden holdovers.”
