Former President Donald Trump revealed on Thursday that he had dismissed multiple White House National Security Council (NSC) officials. This action followed a meeting with far-right activist Laura Loomer, who reportedly voiced concerns to Trump about the loyalty of some staff members.
While Trump downplayed Loomer’s role in the decision, sources familiar with the matter said that she met the former president in the Oval Office on Wednesday. During the meeting, she allegedly urged him to remove individuals she believed were not fully aligned with the “Make America Great Again” movement. These sources requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the personnel changes.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Miami, Trump stated, “We’re always letting go of people — those we don’t like, those we believe are unfit for the job, or those who might be loyal to someone else.”
Loomer, on her part, hinted at being the catalyst behind the dismissals. In a post on X Thursday evening, she claimed the ousted NSC staffers were being defended by Trump critics on mainstream networks like CNN and MSNBC, implying their lack of loyalty.
These firings come at a tense time for Trump’s national security circle. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has come under fire for reportedly using the encrypted Signal app to coordinate a sensitive March 15 operation targeting Houthi militants in Yemen. Despite the controversy, Trump voiced his support for Waltz, who accompanied him to a dinner event in Florida tied to the LIV Golf tournament.
Simultaneously, the acting inspector general of the Pentagon announced an inquiry into Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s use of Signal for military planning. The probe will also investigate other officials’ use of the same encrypted messaging platform.
Among those dismissed were at least three senior NSC staffers. Although Trump claimed that he listens to recommendations from various people, including Loomer, he emphasized that decisions are ultimately made based on performance and trust.
Following the Oval Office meeting, Loomer said on X, “It was an honor to meet President Trump and present my findings. I remain committed to advocating for thorough vetting to ensure the safety of the President and our national security.”
Laura Loomer, aged 31, is known for her controversial presence in conservative politics. She ran unsuccessfully as a Republican candidate for Congress in Florida in 2020 and has built a reputation for provocative activism. Her social media notoriety grew after she handcuffed herself to Twitter’s NYC office, protesting her ban from the platform over anti-Muslim comments directed at Rep. Ilhan Omar.
More recently, Loomer faced backlash for a racially charged comment about Vice President Kamala Harris, suggesting that Harris’s heritage would influence the atmosphere and communication style of the White House.
Loomer also recently attacked conservative influencer Ashley St. Clair, who claims that Tesla CEO Elon Musk fathered her child. After a video emerged of St. Clair selling a Tesla — allegedly a gift from Musk — Loomer labeled her a “gold digger.” St. Clair reportedly sold the vehicle to compensate for a significant reduction in child support. In response, Musk admitted to having provided $2.5 million in financial support to St. Clair, adding that while he hasn’t confirmed paternity, he remains open to doing so and is continuing financial assistance.
