Copyright Newsweek
Far-right activist Laura Loomer has been credentialed to cover the Department of Defense (DOD), according to The Washington Post, marking her entry into a reconstituted Pentagon press corps composed largely of right-wing media outlets. Loomer, 32, a former congressional candidate from Florida and close ally of President Donald Trump, joins an ultra- conservative cohort announced last month that includes Gateway Pundit, The National Pulse, Human Events, podcaster Tim Pool, Just the News, Frontlines by Turning Point USA, One America News and LindellTV—Mike Lindell's streaming service. Newsweek reached out to the DOD via email after regular business hours on Monday for comment. Why It Matters Loomer's accreditation signals a significant shift in Pentagon media relations and raises questions about press freedom and government transparency. The move follows the DOD's controversial policy change that prohibits journalists from soliciting information not officially provided by the government—a restriction that prompted dozens of major news organizations, including the Post, New York Times, CNN and Fox News, to refuse participation. Loomer, who lost two Florida campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2020 and 2022, has cultivated a prominent presence in Trump's orbit during his second term, routinely meeting with the president in the Oval Office. Her social media posts have preceded the departure of several Trump administration officials, including National Security Agency Director Timothy Haugh and national security adviser Michael Waltz. She has publicly claimed credit for these departures, using her self-coined term "Loomered" to describe such outcomes. However, some administration officials have suggested she overstates her influence by highlighting actions already under consideration. What To Know The Pentagon's media policy overhaul erupted into public conflict last month when traditional journalists walked out en masse in protest of the new restrictions. According to the Associated Press (AP), reporters from the Times, AP, CNN and the Post turned in their access badges rather than accept the policy. Notably, Fox News Channel—by far the most popular news source among Trump supporters—was among the organizations that walked out, as was Newsmax, indicating divisions even within conservative-leaning media. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell announced the "next generation" of the Pentagon press corps in early October, saying that more than 60 journalists had agreed to the new policy. He indicated that 26 journalists who had previously been part of the established press corps were among the signees, though the department declined to identify them. Parnell denounced the departing journalists as "self-righteous media who chose to self-deport from the Pentagon," adding that "Americans have largely abandoned digesting their news through the lens of activists who masquerade as journalists in the mainstream media." The new press corps consists largely of far-right media publications and independent journalists and influencers who have not previously covered the Pentagon on a regular, in-person basis. Several outlets accepting the new restrictions have begun recruiting staff to fulfill their new roles. Loomer told the Post that she originally applied for a press pass to cover the White House and even considered moving from Florida to Washington if granted access. However, she says her application for the credentials had been stalled, despite her repeated requests and other right-wing influencers with smaller audiences already getting approved. The Pentagon credentials come at a unique time, as Loomer previously targeted defense and national security officials publicly, criticizing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's general counsel nominee Earl G. Matthews and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. Following Loomer's criticism of Driscoll's praise for Medal of Honor recipient Florent Groberg—who spoke at the 2016 Democratic National Convention—Driscoll subsequently revoked Groberg supporter Jen Easterly's appointment to the faculty of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. What People Are Saying Trump, about Loomer to reporters in August: "I know she's known as a 'radical right,' but I think Laura Loomer is a very nice person. I think she's a patriot, and she gets excited because of the fact she's a patriot, and she doesn't like things going on that she thinks are bad for the country. I like her." Parnell, announcing the "next generation" of the Pentagon press corps in October, on X: "We are excited to announce over 60 journalists, representing a broad spectrum of new media outlets and independent journalists, have signed the Pentagon’s media access policy and will be joining the new Pentagon press corps. Twenty-six journalists across 18 outlets were among the former Pentagon press corps who chose to sign the DOW [acronym for the DOD's preferred Department of War title] media access policy. "New media outlets and independent journalists have created the formula to circumvent the lies of the mainstream media and get real news directly to the American people. Their reach and impact collectively are far more effective and balanced than the self-righteous media who chose to self-deport from the Pentagon. Americans have largely abandoned digesting their news through the lens of activists who masquerade as journalists in the mainstream media. We look forward to beginning a fresh relationship with members of the new Pentagon press corps." What Happens Next? Loomer's accreditation sets the stage for expanded influence over defense and national security policy, given her demonstrated track record of influencing personnel decisions. With Pentagon press credentials now in hand, she will gain direct access to DOD building, briefings, and officials—privileges previously restricted to established news organizations.
