(Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Far-right activist and conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer claims that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has enlisted her help to identify and remove disloyal officials at the Pentagon. Loomer made the assertion in a CNN interview, highlighting her growing influence in former President Donald Trump’s orbit as a self-styled MAGA enforcer.
According to the Daily Beast, Loomer’s targeted campaigns have already contributed to the ouster of at least 16 officials deemed insufficiently loyal to Trump’s agenda. Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell confirmed to the outlet that Hegseth has communicated with Loomer and values her involvement.
“Personnel is policy, and Laura has taken that motto to heart,” Parnell said. “At the Department of Defense, we will never stop working to deliver on the President’s America First agenda. Qualified individuals who love our country and support the Administration’s priorities will continue to be integral to our efforts.”
Hegseth’s tenure as defense secretary has been marked by controversy, including his recent decision to fire three Pentagon aides he accused of leaking information. Loomer’s involvement represents a new level of outside influence on the internal workings of the department.
In her CNN interview, Loomer boasted about launching an anonymous tip line to identify federal officials who fail her MAGA loyalty test. She said she has been “inundated with tips,” including some from within the Trump administration, and predicted she could help purge “hundreds” more officials.
“I’m not blaming Trump, but people will probably start to blame him if he doesn’t use these opportunities to fire some Cabinet members,” Loomer said, suggesting that even high-ranking officials could be targeted for removal.
Her growing influence was on display earlier this year with the removal of Dr. Vinay Prasad as the FDA’s top vaccine official, just three months into his tenure. Loomer accused Prasad of being a progressive and circulated a 2021 audio clip of him joking that he used a voodoo doll to “curse” Trump. Despite objections from Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, Prasad was ultimately removed reportedly with Trump’s approval.
Trump himself praised Loomer publicly on Sunday when asked about her role in shaping personnel decisions. “I know she’s known as ‘radical right,’ but I think Laura Loomer is a very nice person,” he said. “She’s a patriot… and she doesn’t like things going on that she thinks are bad for the country. I like her.”
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