Hegseth faces conservative criticism over announcement of Qatari base in Idaho

 October 11, 2025

Hold onto your hats, folks -- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth just dropped a bombshell that has the MAGA crowd fuming over a new Qatari air force facility in Idaho, as The Hill reports.

On Friday, Hegseth unveiled a plan to allow Qatar to establish a military training hub at Mountain Home Air Force Base in southwestern Idaho.

This decision has sparked sharp backlash from some of President Donald Trump’s staunchest allies.

Strong partnership or risky move?

The agreement, signed with Qatar’s defense minister, Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, at the Pentagon, permits Qatari pilots to train on F-15 fighter jets right on American soil.

Hegseth framed this as a shining example of the deepening U.S.-Qatar partnership.

He even credited Qatar’s role in brokering peace in Gaza, though not everyone’s sold on the optics.

Loomer leads critiques

Laura Loomer, a fierce Trump supporter, took to social media within hours of the announcement to blast the decision as nothing short of betrayal.

She declared, “There isn’t a single Trump supporter who supports allowing Qatar to have a military base on US soil.”

Her critique stings, raising valid concerns about why any foreign nation should set up shop on American ground.

Concerns over Qatar's influence grow

Loomer’s not alone; Steve Bannon echoed the sentiment, arguing there “should never be a military base of a foreign power on the sacred soil of America.”

Bannon’s stance reflects a broader conservative worry that this move surrenders too much to foreign interests.

Conservative commentator Amy Malek also slammed the deal, pointing to Qatar’s alleged financial ties to groups many on the right view with deep suspicion.

Trump’s Qatar ties under scrutiny

Malek’s sharp take begs the question: Are we strengthening an ally, or opening the door to undue influence?

The Trump administration’s warming ties with Qatar aren’t new—an executive order earlier this month boosted U.S. protection for Qatar after an Israeli strike in Doha claimed six lives, including a Qatari security officer.

Yet, moves like accepting a high-value Boeing jet from Qatar, which Loomer previously criticized, and now this base agreement, are testing the patience of supporters who prioritize America-first policies over foreign partnerships.

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