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Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & NatSec newsletter

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Defense &
National Security

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The Big Story

National Security Council staff ousted at White House

Multiple staff members on the White House National Security Council were fired Thursday following a meeting President Trump had this week with far-right activist Laura Loomer.

A source familiar with the firing told Kellie Meyer of NewsNation, The Hill’s sister network, that three senior officials and at least two junior officials were let go after Loomer raised questions about their loyalty.

The three senior officials were Brian Walsh, senior director of intelligence; Thomas Boodry, senior director of legislative affairs; and David Geuth, senior director of technology and national security.

Trump met with Loomer in the Oval Office on Wednesday, where she made the case that several staffers in the building were not sufficiently committed to his agenda, sources confirmed to The Hill.

Other senior staff were in the room, including chief of staff Susie Wiles and national security adviser Mike Waltz.

Boodry worked as a staffer for Waltz in Congress. Feith served in the State Department during Trump’s first term.

“NSC doesn’t comment on personnel matters,” spokesperson Brian Hughes said in a statement.

Loomer confirmed the meeting with Trump in a post on the social platform X but said she would not share any details about it “out of respect for [President Trump] and the privacy of the Oval Office.”

“It was an honor to meet with President Trump and present him with my research findings,” Loomer posted. “I will continue working hard to support his agenda, and I will continue reiterating the importance of, and the necessity of STRONG VETTING, for the sake of protecting the President of the United States of America, and our national security.”

Loomer also raised concerns on social media about Ivan Kanapathy, who serves as senior director for Asia at the National Security Council. Kanapathy worked at the NSC during Trump’s first term, but Loomer cited his ties to a firm that also employed former Defense Secretary Leon Pannetta and former CIA Director Michael Morell.

Some Trump allies have also targeted deputy national security adviser Alex Wong.

Read the full report at TheHill.com.

Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I’m Ellen Mitchell — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond.

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Essential Reads

How policy will affect defense and national security now and in
the future:

Trump says he ‘sometimes’ takes Laura Loomer’s advice, downplays her role in NSC firings

President Trump on Thursday said he “sometimes” listens to the recommendations of far-right activist Laura Loomer, even as he denied she was responsible for the ouster of multiple national security aides. Trump spoke to reporters aboard Air Force One, where he was asked about Loomer one day after meeting …

Full Story

Pentagon watchdog investigating Hegseth’s use of Signal

The Defense Department’s (DOD) internal watchdog is investigating Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s use of the messaging app Signal to discuss highly sensitive military information, according to a newly released memo. The probe, launched by acting inspector general Steven Stebbins, will look at whether Hegseth “complied with DOD policies” when he used a group chat to discuss details of a strike against Houthi militants …

Full Story

Boasberg floats contempt hearings on deportation flights, suspects ‘bad faith’ actions from Trump admin

U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg hinted at possible contempt proceedings as he grilled a government lawyer Thursday about whether the Trump administration violated his court order by failing to turn around planes carrying migrants to a Salvadoran prison. Boasberg made no decisions following …

Full Story

On Our Radar

Upcoming things we’re watching on our beat:

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte will hold a press conference at the conclusion of the meeting of NATO Defense Ministers tomorrow 6:30 a.m. in Brussels, Belgium.

On Tap Tomorrow

Events in and around the defense world:

National Defense Industrial Association President and CEO David Norquist will speak at the American Bar Association 2025 Federal Procurement Institute at 8:15 a.m.

What We’re Reading

News we’ve flagged from other outlets:

Top US general argues against giving up command of NATO at Senate hearing (Military.com)
Defense officials considering cuts to military treatment facilities (Military Times)

Trending Today

Two key stories on The Hill right now:

White House defends not including Russia, North Korea on tariffs

The White House on Thursday defended its decision to not include Russia, North Korea, Cuba or Belarus in the latest round of tariffs, which targeted … Read more

Trump approval slips to lowest point in second term: Survey

President Trump’s approval rating slipped to its lowest point during his second White House term amid his handling of the economy and the recent Houthi … Read more