Trump moves to fire several national security officials over concerns they’re not loyal
- Share via
WASHINGTON — President Trump has moved to fire several senior White House National Security Council officials, taking action soon after he was urged by far-right activist Laura Loomer to purge staffers she deemed insufficiently committed to his “Make America Great Again” agenda, several people familiar with the matter said Thursday.
Loomer presented her research to Trump in an Oval Office meeting on Wednesday, making her case for the firings, the people said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive personnel matters. Vice President JD Vance, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, national security advisor Mike Waltz and Sergio Gor, the director of the Presidential Personnel Office, took part in the meeting, the people said.
National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes declined to comment on the meeting or the firings, insisting that the White House does not discuss personnel matters.
Loomer, who has promoted Sept. 11 conspiracy theories, was a frequent presence on the campaign trail during Trump’s 2024 successful White House run. More recently, she’s been speaking out on social media about some members of Trump’s national security team who she insists can’t be trusted.
“It was an honor to meet with President Trump and present him with my research findings,” Loomer said in a posting on X. “I will continue working hard to support his agenda,” the post continued, “and I will continue reiterating the importance of, and the necessity of STRONG VETTING, for the sake of protecting the President of the United States of America, and our national security.”
The move by Trump to push out staff comes at a moment when Waltz is fighting back criticism over using the publicly available encrypted Signal app to discuss planning for the sensitive March 15 military operation targeting Houthi militants in Yemen.
Jeffrey Goldberg, the Atlantic magazine’s editor in chief, was mistakenly added to the text chain and revealed that Trump’s team used it to discuss the precise timing of the operation, aircraft used to carry out the strikes and more.
Waltz has taken responsibility for building the text chain but has said he does not know how Goldberg ended up being included.
Lee, Madhani and Miller write for the Associated Press. Lee reported from Brussels.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
