Far-right activist Laura Loomer is asserting her influence within the Trump administration, achieving significant policy changes and personnel shifts. Most recently, the U.S. State Department announced a suspension of visitor visas for individuals from Gaza, a decision that aligns with Loomer’s advocacy efforts.
This latest development follows Loomer’s extensive lobbying against the nonprofit group HEAL Palestine, which facilitates the evacuation of injured children from Gaza for medical care in the United States. Loomer has labelled these evacuation efforts as a “national security threat,” prompting her to call for the Trump administration to expand its travel ban to include Gaza.
According to reports, Loomer communicated directly with Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding her concerns. “There is evidence that’s been presented to us… that some of the organizations involved in acquiring these visas have strong links to terrorist groups like Hamas,” Rubio stated on the program “Face The Nation,” defending the decision to halt the visas.
Despite Loomer’s lack of an official government role, she has gained access to both President Trump and Vice President Vance. Trump has acknowledged that he “sometimes” considers Loomer’s recommendations, describing her as “a great patriot” during a press briefing in April.
Loomer has faced opposition from some Trump allies, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Sen. Lindsey Graham, who have expressed reservations about her presence in the political sphere. Reports suggest that there have been attempts to limit her influence, particularly during the 2024 campaign when Trump contemplated offering her a position within his administration.
Frustrated by her exclusion from the White House press briefings, Loomer took to social media to voice her grievances. “I was supposed to work for Trump, but we all know that’s not happening despite his orders to staff to onboard me 4 times,” she posted on the platform X. She criticized the administration’s lack of response regarding her press pass, revealing her ongoing struggle to gain recognition within the White House.
Loomer’s influence extends beyond the visa situation. In recent months, she has actively worked to identify officials within the Trump administration whom she deems insufficiently loyal to his agenda. Following a meeting with Trump in the Oval Office in April, Loomer succeeded in having several officials from the National Security Council removed from their positions.
Her advocacy has also targeted the Health and Human Services Department, where she has sought the dismissal of key personnel, including the original nominee for surgeon general and his replacement. Loomer’s push for the ousting of Vinay Prasad, the FDA’s top vaccine regulator, was initially successful until intervention from officials, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., reinstated him.
Kennedy has also found himself in Loomer’s crosshairs recently. She accused one of his aides of laying the groundwork for his potential presidential run in 2028, prompting Kennedy to publicly refute the claims. “Let me be clear: I am not running for president in 2028,” he stated on X, reiterating his commitment to Trump and the administration’s goals.
Despite mixed reactions from within the administration, Loomer shows no signs of retreating. “I’m not stopping,” she affirmed in a recent social media post. “I’m only going to intensify.” Her persistence underscores a complex relationship with the current administration, wherein her advocacy continues to yield tangible results in shaping policy and personnel decisions.
As Loomer navigates her influence in the political arena, the implications of her actions will likely resonate within the broader context of U.S. foreign policy and domestic governance as the 2024 election approaches.