A photo taken in September 2024 shows Laura Loomer standing in Philadelphia. REUTERS
The White House has removed several top officials from the administration. At least three people from the National Security Council (NSC) lost their jobs after a private meeting between President Donald Trump and activist Laura Loomer on Wednesday.
Sources familiar with the situation say Loomer gave the president a list of names. She claimed some people in the NSC were not loyal to Trump. Loomer, who has been part of Trump’s inner circle since his 2024 campaign, asked him to fire them.
Trump told reporters on Thursday that he supports removing people who can’t do the job or are not fully loyal. He said, “We’re going to let go of people we don’t like.” However, he also said that Loomer did not push for the firings and called her a “very good patriot.”
One of the names on Loomer’s list was Alex Wong, the deputy national security adviser. He was not fired, but a White House official said that might still happen soon. Loomer publicly called Wong a “Never Trumper” and questioned his loyalty.
Michael Waltz, the current national security adviser, has been under pressure as well. He was involved in a controversy about a leaked Signal message discussing U.S. military action in Yemen. This issue may have delayed Wong’s firing. Trump has so far stood by Waltz, but insiders say that may change.
The three officials who were removed include:
- Brian Walsh, director of intelligence and a former Senate staffer
- Thomas Boodry, senior director for legislative affairs
- David Feith, a senior director overseeing technology and national security
All three had recently been vetted by Sergio Gor, the head of the Presidential Personnel Office, to make sure they supported Trump’s agenda.
Trump spoke positively about Loomer. He said she sometimes gives him job recommendations, and he listens to her advice like he does with others.
Loomer didn’t share details about the meeting. But she confirmed she met Trump and said she would keep pushing for strong checks on staff to protect the president and national security.
The meeting happened while the president was preparing to announce new tariffs. Loomer met Trump in the Oval Office with several top officials present, including Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Vice President JD Vance. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also joined the meeting briefly.
Congressman Scott Perry was also at the White House that day. He brought his own concerns about staff but wasn’t originally scheduled to meet the president at the same time as Loomer.
This isn’t the first time an activist has been involved in national security staffing decisions. Another figure, Christopher Rufo, previously caused the firing of intelligence workers after revealing internal chat room messages. Rufo also spread rumors during the campaign, including a false claim about migrants eating house pets in Ohio.
Loomer has often stirred controversy. She once called herself a “proud Islamophobe” and suggested starting ride-share apps that don’t employ Muslim drivers. Social media platforms banned her for such comments, though she later denied being anti-Muslim.
She also once claimed the 9/11 attacks were an “inside job.” Last fall, she appeared with Trump during a 9/11 memorial event. Her social media posts often mirrored Trump’s public statements. She even joked during the campaign that if Vice President Kamala Harris won, the White House would “smell like curry.”
Despite her history, Loomer continues to have the president’s ear. Her influence appears to shape decisions at the highest levels.
