Trump Purges National Security Council After Controversial Meeting

President Trump terminates multiple National Security Council (NSC) staffers following a controversial meeting with activist Laura Loomer, raising questions about loyalty tests within the administration.

Quick Takes

Multiple NSC staffers were fired after Laura Loomer presented Trump with research questioning their loyalty to his agenda
Trump denied Loomer’s influence on the firings, describing them as routine personnel changes
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz has already sent approximately 160 nonpolitical experts back to their home agencies
The dismissals include NSA and US Cyber Command head General Timothy Haugh, sparking national security concerns
Democrats and some Republicans have expressed alarm over the removal of experienced security personnel

White House Shakeup Follows Meeting with Right-Wing Activist

President Donald Trump has dismissed several staffers from his National Security Council (NSC) following a meeting with far-right activist Laura Loomer. Reports indicate that at least three officials were fired, including Brian Walsh, Thomas Boodry, and David Feith, with as many as ten people potentially affected by the personnel changes. The dismissals come amid concerns about loyalty within the administration, with Loomer reportedly presenting Trump with research on staffers she deemed insufficiently committed to his “Make America Great Again” agenda.

Trump has publicly downplayed Loomer’s influence on his decisions. “We’re always going to let go of people – people we don’t like or people that take advantage of or people that may have loyalties to someone else,” Trump stated, characterizing the firings as routine personnel changes rather than a targeted purge based on Loomer’s recommendations.

Concerns About Loyalty and Leaks

The meeting that preceded the firings included Vice President JD Vance, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Sergio Gor, Director of the Presidential Personnel Office. According to reports, Loomer expressed concerns about “neocons” bypassing the administration’s vetting process and emphasized the importance of confidentiality in White House operations. She has publicly criticized Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Alex Wong, who has not yet been dismissed but remains under scrutiny.

Loomer, known for promoting conspiracy theories, has been vocal about her distrust of Trump’s national security team. She criticized National Security Adviser Waltz for excluding her from the NSC vetting process and relying on individuals she considers not sufficiently aligned with Trump’s agenda. Despite these criticisms, Trump has publicly supported Waltz, who accompanied him to a dinner event in Florida after the controversial meeting.

Broader Security Leadership Purge

The NSC staffing changes appear to be part of a larger shake-up in national security leadership. The White House has also dismissed General Timothy Haugh, head of the NSA and US Cyber Command, as part of what critics describe as a broader purge of top security officials. While the specific reasons for Haugh’s removal remain unclear, Loomer has claimed on social media that both Haugh and his deputy were fired for disloyalty to the administration.

Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Waltz has been facing controversy of his own. Reports indicate he used the Signal app for planning a sensitive military operation targeting Houthi militants in Yemen. The operation details were inadvertently exposed when journalist Jeffrey Goldberg was mistakenly added to a message chain. This security lapse has prompted the Pentagon’s acting inspector general to review the use of Signal by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials.

Impact on National Security Operations

Beyond the high-profile dismissals, Waltz has sent approximately 160 nonpolitical detailees back to their home agencies, allegedly to ensure commitment to Trump’s agenda. This move has effectively sidelined nonpolitical experts on various critical topics during a period of complex foreign policy challenges. Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) has expressed concern over the firing of respected NSC staff, saying the situation “raises eyebrows” about the administration’s approach to national security expertise.

Democrats have voiced alarm over the potential risks to national security created by these personnel changes. Representative Jim Himes (D-CT) and other key Democratic figures have praised Haugh as an honest leader whose dismissal could undermine critical security operations.