Senator Mark Warner announced on Wednesday that his scheduled visit to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in Virginia, which he said was part of his duty to monitor and support the American intelligence community, was called off following an online assault by far-right activist and conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer.
The cancellation came after Loomer launched a “campaign of baseless attacks” against Warner and the agency’s director, according to the senator. In a fundraising email, Warner labeled this situation as “unprecedented and dangerous” and criticized the administration for listening to Loomer, who he described as a conspiracy theorist with a history of fanciful extreme views, including denying the 9/11 attacks and anti-Muslim harassment campaigns, and having associations with white supremacists.
Loomer, known for her recent social media posts criticizing the director of the intelligence agency for hosting a “rabid ANTI-TRUMP DEMOCRAT SENATOR,” celebrated the cancellation, claiming Warner threatened national security and should be removed from the Senate committee. She has also been aggressive in accusing Warner of weaponizing intelligence agencies to advance the debunked “Russia Collusion Hoax” and wants him “removed from office and tried for treason.”
Warner informed reporters that the decision to cancel the meeting was made by the defense secretary’s office. The incident demonstrates Loomer’s influence within Donald Trump’s administration, as she has served as a national security and foreign policy adviser to the president and played a role in the dismissal of six staff members in April. Additionally, the administration is considering halting visas for children from Gaza seeking medical care after Loomer voiced complaints.
Warner argues that Loomer’s “basically a cabinet member” status at this point and that Trump and his administration are acquiescing to her demands. In a statement, Warner contended that this political decision undermines the integrity of the nonpartisan staff at NGA and endangers the principle of civilian oversight, which is essential for national security.
He also expressed concern that the disruption of routine meetings and on-site interactions between Congress members and federal employees in their states and districts sets a perilous precedent. This puts into question whether oversight is now only permitted when it suits the far-right fringe.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/03/mark-warner-democrat-laura-loomer
