Activist Laura Loomer Questions Pentagon over Qatar-Funded Training Facility in Idaho

Conservative activist Laura Loomer sharply criticized the Pentagon’s plan to allow Qatar to fund a military training facility at an Idaho air base, accusing the Trump administration of eroding U.S. sovereignty.

Loomer’s Alarm and Claims

In online remarks, Loomer claimed Republicans were handing over a “military base on U.S. soil” to Qatar. She framed the move as “terror financing” and asserted it put Americans at risk. On the social media platform X, she wrote:

“Never thought I’d see Republicans give terror financing Muslims from Qatar a MILITARY BASE on US soil so they can murder Americans.

Loomer’s provocative rhetoric drew attention partly because she is a polarizing figure known for outspoken commentary and activism.

Pentagon Clarifies: It’s Not a Qatari Base

Following Loomer’s allegations, the Pentagon and Qatari officials pushed back on the suggestion that Qatar would own or fully control the facility. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized that:

• The base would remain under U.S. control.
• Qatar would not “have their own base in the United States.”
• The arrangement is similar to other defense partnerships with allied nations.

Qatar’s embassy also denied the claim that the facility would constitute a Qatari air base on U.S. soil.

What the Project Entails

According to U.S. officials, the proposed facility, located at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, would support Qatar’s training of pilots who will fly 12 F-15 jets.

Key details include:

• Funding: Qatar will finance construction.
• Construction oversight: Local contractors will build the facility under . military supervision.
• Facilities: Planned structures include aircraft hangars and an operations building for pilot training.
• Use: The base is intended solely as a training site—not for full stationing of Qatari forces.

Interestingly, U.S. forces already allow pilots from Singapore to train at the base, which suggests precedent for such cooperative arrangements.

Context on Qatar’s Defense Role

Qatar is a longstanding U.S. security partner in the Middle East. It hosts Al-Udeid Air Base, which is among the largest U.S. military installations in the region. Qatar also plays diplomatic roles, such as mediating between Israel and Hamas in the region.