Laura Loomer’s Influence in the Trump Administration: A Closer Look
Laura Loomer has gained unexpected traction within the Trump White House, even exceeding her prior infamous stunt where she handcuffed herself to Twitter’s doors. Recently, she leveraged her influence to pressure National Security Adviser Mike Waltz out of the administration and is now targeting Surgeon General Nominee Janette Nesheiwat for not being anti-vaccine enough, as reported by The Daily Beast.
Why Loomer Is Targeting Surgeon General Nominee Janette Nesheiwat
Loomer has set her sights on Nesheiwat due to her support for the COVID-19 vaccine, expressing discontent with her acknowledgment that the vaccine saved an estimated 2.4 million lives and her characterization of vaccine hesitancy as a “global health threat.”
Loomer’s Controversial Claims About the Vaccine
The far-right activist has made unsubstantiated claims, alleging that the COVID-19 vaccine is “now killing millions of people,” without providing any evidence to support her assertions. She criticized Nesheiwat as “not being ideologically aligned” with Trump’s health initiatives and labeled her a “pro-COVID vaccine nepo appointee,” urging Trump to nominate someone who better represents personal liberties.
Analyzing Nesheiwat’s Qualifications
While Loomer may have a point in questioning Nesheiwat’s suitability for the Surgeon General role, it has less to do with her stance on vaccines—considered reasonable compared to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s unfounded claims that the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine contains “fetus debris”. The real concern hinges on Nesheiwat’s questionable credentials.
Recent investigations by independent journalist Anthony Clark revealed that Nesheiwat has long claimed to have received her MD from the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences, despite not attending the institution. While she completed a family medicine residency at a regional campus affiliated with the school, her actual degree is from the American University of the Caribbean, a for-profit institution historically attended by students denied admission to conventional medical schools.
Loomer’s Recent Actions and Public Perception
Loomer continues to be a polarizing figure. Her opposition to Nesheiwat stems from her pro-vaccine stance rather than any concrete evidence regarding her professional background. Additionally, Loomer recently took credit for the dismissal of National Security Adviser Mike Waltz—not due to his controversial decisions regarding media, but because of her belief that his deputy, Alex Wong, prioritized Chinese interests over American ones.
Concerns About Loomer’s Role in the White House
The implications of Loomer’s influence within the Trump administration raise profound concerns. As a 9/11 truther who has openly supported white nationalism and whose views have garnered criticism even from fellow far-right figures like Marjorie Taylor Greene—who described her as “mentally unstable and a documented liar”—it’s troubling to see her hold sway in presidential circles. This raises the likelihood that the current trajectory of far-right extremism will continue unabated.
FAQs
Who is Laura Loomer?
Laura Loomer is a far-right activist known for her controversial views and stunts, including handcuffing herself to Twitter’s doors in protest against the platform’s policies.
What are Janette Nesheiwat’s qualifications for Surgeon General?
Janette Nesheiwat has claimed to have an MD from the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences, though recent investigations revealed she actually obtained her degree from the American University of the Caribbean.
Why is Loomer critical of the COVID-19 vaccine?
Loomer opposes the COVID-19 vaccine, alleging it is harmful and criticizing public health officials like Nesheiwat for their support of vaccination efforts.
How has Loomer’s influence affected Trump’s administration?
Loomer’s activities have led to significant changes in personnel, such as pressuring the ousting of National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and attempting to influence the Surgeon General nominee.