Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced on Friday that the United States has greenlit the establishment of a Qatari Emiri Air Force facility in Idaho, a move that has drawn backlash from some of the administration’s closest Make America Great Again (MAGA) allies, with Laura Loomer writing on X, "I have never felt more betrayed by the GOP," over the matter.
By Mandy Taheri
Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist during President Donald Trump's first term and architect of the MAGA movement, told Newsweek in a text message, "There should never be a military base of a foreign power on the sacred soil of America.”
Why It Matters
The administration's announcement shocked the MAGA core base, who have applauded the president on his "America First" agenda. The agreement states an Idaho air base will "host a contingent of Qatari F-15s and pilots."
The move comes months after Trump accepted a luxury Boeing 747 from the Qatari government, which drew criticism from Democrats and Republicans, including from Loomer. It also comes as the U.S. is working with mediators in the region to put an end to the Israel-Hamas war that began two years ago.
Qatar has been a longtime ally of the U.S. and hosts key CENTCOM military operations at Al-Udeid Air Base near Doha. In late September, Trump issued an executive order "assuring the security of the state of Qatar" after Israel carried out a strike in Doha.
What To Know
During a joint press conference addressing the finalization of a peace deal between Israel and Hamas, Hegseth thanked Qatari officials for their involvement in the process and announced that the U.S. is "signing a letter of acceptance to build" a Qatari Emiri Air Force facility. The facility will be hosted at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, Hegseth said.
Loomer took issue with the administration's move in a series of X posts, writing "no foreign country should have a military base on US soil. Especially Islamic countries."
She added in another post that Hegseth, who she calls her friend, "should know how bad of an idea it is to allow Terror financing Qataris who fund HAMAS and the Muslim Brotherhood to have an AIR FORCE BASE ON US SOIL."
Loomer added, "I don’t think I’ll be voting in 2026," over the issue.
The Republic of Singapore also has a presence at the Idaho base, according to the base's website.
Some conservative commentators have drawn lines between Qatar, the airbase, and unfounded claims of future use not related to military training. There is no indication that Qatar will be using the base for anything other than training and cooperating with the U.S., with Hegseth stating, the partnership will "enhance our combined training, increase lethality, interoperability."
Democrats have also called out the move, pointing to some of Trump's recent foreign policy and how they fit in with promoting "America First," particularly during a government shutdown.
What People Are Saying
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Friday at the press conference: "No one other than President Trump could have achieved the peace, which we believe will be a lasting peace, in Gaza, and Qatar played a substantial role from the beginning, working with our folks to make sure that came about, so I want to thank you for that historic peace."
A U.S. official told Newsweek: “Facilities Construction and Operational Support for Qatari F-15 Aircraft at Mountain Home Air Force Base was executed via foreign military sales, will enable the construction and operational integration of an enduring location for Qatari F-15 aircraft at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. The establishment of this facility will provide advanced training opportunities and foster combined operational readiness. The establishment of an enduring location for Qatari F-15 aircraft at Mountain Home Air Force Base provides Qatar with strategic flexibility to operate and sustain their advanced fighter aircraft. It will enable combined training opportunities between Qatar and the United States, fostering stronger defense partnerships and enhancing joint operational capabilities. This effort will increase the lethality of our warfighters and improve interoperability among allied and partner nations.”
Conservative commentator Amy Malek wrote in an X post on Friday: "Qatar has spent $100 billion buying influence in the U.S., and it’s paying off. I am in shock that Washington would approve a deal letting Qatar, Hamas’s #1 financier, open a Qatari Air Force facility on U.S. soil at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. Qatar bankrolls Hamas, ISIS, the Taliban, al-Nusra, and the Muslim Brotherhood. It plays both sides - the arsonist and the firefighter - funding jihad, then posing as a 'mediator.' This isn’t 'shared defense goals.' It’s a shared delusion. We’re not building peace. We’re building a launchpad for the Islamic disaster."
Conservative radio show host Mark Levin wrote in a Friday X post: "I never dreamed of anything like this. We’ve not only agreed to go to war for Qatar but they’re now building an air force facility in our country. Shocking."
Pennsylvania state Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, a Democrat, wrote Friday in an X post: "A new base for Qatar ON AMERICAN SOIL. A 20 billion dollar bail out for Argentina. A government that’s shut down. Is this really America first?"
Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee, said in an X post: "An economic bailout for Argentina. An air force base for Qatar. This guy is doing everything but putting America first."
Tommy Vietor, former Obama and National Security Council spokesperson and Pod Save America host, on X on Friday: "In 2017, Trump accused Qatar of being 'funders of terrorism' and now the US is going to host a Qatari military base on US soil???"
