Trump Fires National Security Officials Over Loyalty Concerns/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump is removing several top National Security Council officials following claims of disloyalty raised by far-right activist Laura Loomer. The firings, which came after a private Oval Office meeting, have stirred new concerns about politicization within the White House’s national security apparatus.
Trump Loyalty Purge – Quick Looks
- Oval Office Meeting: Trump met with activist Laura Loomer Wednesday.
- NSC Officials Fired: Firings target officials deemed disloyal to MAGA.
- Key Attendees: VP JD Vance and Chief of Staff Susie Wiles were present.
- Encrypted App Controversy: NSC head Mike Waltz under fire for Signal use.
- Personnel Fallout: Journalist was mistakenly added to military planning chat.
- NSC Spokesman: Refused to comment on internal personnel decisions.
- Loomer’s Influence: Pushes conspiracy theories, wields growing Trump influence.
- Broader Impact: Raises new concerns over national security politicization.
Trump Fires National Security Officials Over Loyalty Concerns
Deep Look
Trump Removes NSC Officials Over Alleged Disloyalty
President Donald Trump has begun ousting multiple National Security Council (NSC) staffers following a private meeting with far-right political figure Laura Loomer, several White House sources confirmed Thursday. The firings underscore a growing loyalty-first approach in the Trump administration’s second term, especially within critical national security roles.
The Oval Office meeting, held Wednesday, included Loomer presenting a dossier of staffers she claimed were not fully aligned with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” agenda. Sources familiar with the meeting said Vice President JD Vance, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Presidential Personnel Director Serio Gor were also present.
White House spokesman Brian Hughes declined to confirm or deny the dismissals, stating, “We do not comment on personnel matters.”
Loomer’s Rising Influence
Loomer, a controversial figure known for promoting 9/11 conspiracy theories and for her aggressive social media tactics, has become an increasingly vocal force within Trump’s orbit. During and after the 2024 campaign, she positioned herself as an unofficial enforcer of ideological purity within Trump’s ranks.
In recent weeks, Loomer took to social platforms to call out specific national security officials she believes are insufficiently loyal. Her influence appeared to directly shape Wednesday’s White House meeting, now resulting in the termination of NSC staffers whose identities have not yet been publicly disclosed.
Encrypted App Use Sparks Controversy
The firings also come amid scrutiny of Trump’s national security team, particularly adviser Mike Waltz, for using the encrypted messaging app Signal to coordinate a highly sensitive military strike in Yemen on March 15.
The operation targeted Houthi militants, but its planning was compromised when journalist Jeffrey Rosenberg of The Atlantic was accidentally added to a Signal group chat involving key White House and military officials. Rosenberg later reported on detailed elements of the operation, including mission timing and aircraft deployment.
Waltz has acknowledged creating the chat thread but says he doesn’t know how Rosenberg was added. While the app is widely used for secure communication, its use in planning active military operations has raised alarm in Washington.
“This isn’t just an issue of technology; it’s about control, discipline, and safeguarding classified operations,” one senior defense official, speaking anonymously, told AP.
Politicization Concerns Grow
The combination of Loomer’s influence over staffing and the Signal leak has reignited bipartisan concerns over how Trump’s administration is handling national security protocols. Critics warn that loyalty tests could undermine institutional expertise and morale within the intelligence and defense communities.
“Trump is treating national security like a loyalty club,” said a former NSC official. “That’s dangerous.”
At a time when global tensions — including in the Middle East, Taiwan, and Eastern Europe — are escalating, the internal shakeups and communication breakdowns raise the stakes for the White House’s crisis response capabilities.
What’s Next?
It remains unclear how many officials have been removed or who might replace them. But observers expect more personnel changes in the coming weeks, as Trump attempts to reassert tight control over the national security establishment and prepare for new foreign policy challenges.
The broader question remains: can loyalty-driven staffing decisions coexist with the professionalism and discretion needed to manage global threats?
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