Loomer Criticizes Army for Honoring Medal of Honor Recipient Groberg

Laura Loomer, an unofficial adviser to President Trump, has criticized Army Secretary Dan Driscoll for recognizing Medal of Honor recipient Florent Groberg on social media. Loomer questioned why the Army highlighted Groberg, suggesting he was undeserving of recognition because he spoke at the 2016 Democratic National Convention and was not born in the United States. Groberg, who was born in France and later became a U.S. citizen, received the Medal of Honor for his actions during a 2012 suicide bombing in Afghanistan.

The controversy centers on an Army social media post commemorating the anniversary of the August 8, 2012 attack where Groberg sustained serious injuries while preventing greater casualties by confronting a suicide bomber. Four men died in the incident: Army Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Griffin, Army Maj. Thomas Kennedy, Air Force Maj. Walter Gray, and Foreign Service officer Ragaei Abdelfattah. Groberg responded to Loomer's criticism by noting that the anniversary marks his "Alive Day" and emphasizing that his brief DNC speech focused on service and sacrifice rather than partisan politics.

Several former Trump administration officials have defended Groberg and criticized Loomer's comments. Chris Miller, who served as acting defense secretary during Trump's first term, described Loomer's criticism as "an abomination and disreputable." Robert Wilkie, former Veterans Affairs Secretary, stated that the Medal of Honor "knows no political affiliation." An unnamed Army official called Loomer's attack "despicable" and affirmed that the Army does not consider political affiliation when recognizing service members.

Loomer defended her criticism in an interview, stating that the Army's recognition of Groberg was ideologically inconsistent with the Trump administration. She cited this as the third instance where the Army under Driscoll has highlighted individuals who have opposed Trump, including Rep. Eugene Vindman and former Biden administration official Jennifer Easterly. Driscoll's name has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, should the position become vacant. Groberg has recently met with Hegseth at the Pentagon to discuss defense industrial base issues.