Laura Loomer’s Campaign Against Muslims in U.S. Government Sparks Condemnation and Policy Shifts
Far-Right Activist Targets Federal Employees Amid Administration Changes
Far-right commentator Laura Loomer was sharply criticized Tuesday after she called for the dismissal of yet another Muslim State Department employee, Wardah Khalid, whom she accused of holding views incompatible with President Donald Trump’s “America First” agenda. Khalid—a foreign affairs officer—is the latest in a series of career government workers Loomer has accused, without evidence, of being Islamic extremists. Her demands were amplified by tagging Secretary of State Marco Rubio on social media, according to The National.
Veteran journalist Mehdi Hasan, chief executive of Zeteo, condemned Loomer’s tactics, writing on X that “watching Loomer harass and demonise individual Muslim government employees simply for being Muslims while the Democrats and ‘liberal media’ say nothing is a reminder of how mainstreamed and normalised anti-Muslim bigotry is in the US, across the political spectrum.” Hasan labelled Loomer’s campaign as “shameful”.
New Targets and “Islamification” Claims
Just a day earlier, Loomer called for the ousting of Mariya Ilyas, a career foreign service officer and past leader of American Muslims and Friends at State (AMFS). In a 2024 article, Ilyas had described Amfas as supporting professional development for Muslims and those interested in Muslim cultures. Loomer, however, accused the group of trying to “Islamify” the State Department, deriding initiatives like installing ablution stations for prayer in bathrooms.
Despite Loomer’s repeated claims, her posts contain no evidence of wrongdoing by the employees she targets—merely advocacy for inclusion or a nuanced approach toward Middle East policy, or prior criticism of Trump. The National contacted the State Department for comment.
The Loomer Effect
Loomer’s efforts appear to be influencing real policy outcomes. Last week, she spotlighted Shahed Ghoreishi, the department’s senior press officer for Palestinian-Israeli affairs, as pushing “pro-Iranian regime propaganda” and having “anti-Israel” views due to a past internship with the National Iranian American Council. Ghoreishi was dismissed this month following internal disputes over messaging on the White House's policy towards Gaza. Speaking to Democracy Now, Ghoreishi voiced his concerns about “how radical our policy is becoming—not just on policy, but language as well.” At the same time, the State Department emphasized a zero-tolerance stance on leaks or misconduct.
Loomer credits herself with persuading the Trump administration to halt visas for injured Gazans seeking medical care, calling such admissions “visa fraud.” After her posts, the administration not only suspended the visa program but also announced a full review. President Trump openly acknowledged her influence, saying, “Laura Loomer is a great patriot. She’s a powerful person.” Loomer has appeared in conservative media and at the White House, pushing for a purge of officials she claims are ideological holdovers from previous Democratic administrations.
Wider Impact and Reactions
According to the Bridge Initiative, a Georgetown University research project, Loomer “has built her career on promoting hate against Muslims.” The Bridge Initiative noted, “Loomer has repeatedly promoted violent and Islamophobic rhetoric. She celebrated the deaths of migrants and likened Muslim refugees to a disease.” Despite not holding an official government role, Loomer has exerted visible influence on Trump’s orbit, from national security firings to major policy reversals.
Hasan and other critics warn that Loomer’s reach—backed by 1.7 million followers and frequent appearances in conservative outlets—has helped normalize anti-Muslim rhetoric in the American mainstream, leading to targeted firings and broader shifts in federal policy.
"Watching Loomer harass and demonise individual Muslim government employees simply for being Muslims…is a reminder of how mainstreamed and normalised anti-Muslim bigotry is in the US, across the political spectrum."
—Mehdi Hasan, Zeteo
"The Department has zero tolerance for employees who commit misconduct by leaking or otherwise disclosing confidential deliberative emails or information."
—Tommy Pigott, State Department spokesperson
"Despite having no official role in government, Loomer has influenced Trump’s orbit, from the firing of national security officials to major policy shifts."
—Bridge Initiative, Georgetown University
Ethics and Accountability
The string of firings and policy changes attributed to Loomer’s interventions raises questions about ethics, professional standards, and the normalizing of fringe activism within the federal government. As critics highlight the dangers of politicized purges and bigoted rhetoric, the story underscores ongoing debates about inclusion, civil rights, and the responsibility of public officials—and the media—to stand against hate.