Laura Loomer’s Tweet Bragging About Joining Pentagon Press Corps Likely Violates One of Hegseth’s New Rules

AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey.

Laura Loomer celebrated this week when she joined the Pentagon Press Corps, but it appears her tweet announcing the news violated one of the new rules the Department of Defense has imposed on reporters.

The 32-year-old far-right activist, conspiracy theorist, and self-proclaimed “proud Islamaphobe” has been a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, at times clashing vociferously with others in the president’s inner circle.

Loomer made multiple attempts to obtain a White House press pass, but was unable to do so despite her loyalty to Trump. She was not shy about voicing her frustration about the situation, especially when other MAGA influencers with fewer followers were credentialed.

This week, however, Loomer secured a spot among the Pentagon Press Corps, a group that has undergone seismic upheaval in recent weeks.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has frequently attacked the journalists who cover his agency, including making accusations that they are illegally acquiring classified information or other unethical activities. A newly-enacted DOD policy restricts reporters’ access, demands they get approval from DOD officials before publication, and threatens criminal prosecution for noncompliance.

The reaction from the Pentagon Press Corps was vociferous opposition — even from conservative outlets, and the majority of the members turned in their badges rather than comply. The few that remained are MAGA-allied media outlets, supplemented with new reporters from several foreign outlets.

In her tweet boasting how “excited” she was to join the Pentagon Press Corps, Loomer also invited her followers to contact the “Loomered Tip Line” and send her tips.

As Reuters national security reporter Phil Stewart and others pointed out, Loomer’s tweet clashes with the language in the new Pentagon press policies, which she would have had to sign in order to join.

Loomer “is appealing for tips, as she announces that she’s signing onto a Pentagon policy prohibiting that basic aspect of journalism,” wrote Stewart. “The policy states, and I quote: ‘An advertisement or social media post by an individual journalist or media outlet that directly targets DoW personnel to disclose non-public information without proper authorization would constitute a solicitation that could lead to revocation’ of press credentials.”