On Friday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the establishment of a new Qatar Air Force facility in Idaho, a move that has sparked outrage among some key allies of the Trump administration, including Laura Loomer, who voiced feelings of “betrayal.”
Loomer took to social media to challenge the administration’s decision, which involved a letter of intent for a Qatar Emiri Air Force detachment at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. This facility will allow Qatar’s pilots to receive F-15 flight training in the U.S.
“Not a single Trump supporter supports Qatar putting military bases on U.S. soil,” she stated on X. “I don’t know who advised President Trump on this, but it’s making people rethink their votes.”
She added that “no foreign country, especially Islamic nations, should have military installations on U.S. soil.” Additionally, she criticized Hegseth directly, suggesting he should recognize the dangers of allowing Qatar — a country that funds Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood — to establish air bases in America.
“I don’t think I will vote in 2026,” she remarked regarding her discontent with the deal.
Loomer, a staunch Trump supporter, has openly shared her negative views on Qatar and other predominantly Muslim countries. Earlier this year, she publicly criticized Trump for accepting a luxury jet from the Qatari government.
“I love President Trump. I would take a bullet for him,” she emphasized at the time, but added, “We cannot accept a $400 million ‘gift’ from jihadists in suits.”
Despite Loomer’s disapproval, the relationship between the Trump administration and Qatar appears to be strengthening. Recently, following an Israeli attack on Hamas leaders in Doha that resulted in six deaths, including a Qatari security official, Trump issued an executive order aimed at enhancing U.S. support for Qatar.
During Friday’s announcement, Hegseth was accompanied by Qatari Defense Minister Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at the Pentagon. He highlighted that this agreement showcases the strong partnership between the U.S. and Qatar, mentioning Qatar’s role in facilitating a peace agreement in Gaza.
Mountain Home Air Force Base is located in Elmore County and currently hosts Singapore Air Force F-15SG fighter jets.
Loomer isn’t the only MAGA Republican voicing concerns about this decision. Steve Bannon, a former White House chief strategist, remarked to Barron’s, “There should be no military bases of foreign powers on sacred American soil.”
Likewise, conservative commentator Amy Malek expressed her shock on X, stating, “Qatar spent $100 billion buying influence in the U.S., and it’s paying off.” She criticized the agreement, labeling Qatar — the largest financier of Hamas — as dangerously involved in U.S. affairs. “This is not ‘sharing a defensive goal.’ We’re not building peace; we’re setting up a launching pad for Islamic disaster,” she concluded.
