Laura Loomer, the fiery right-wing activist and Trump confidante, has just tossed a grenade into the heart of military honor with her latest social media outburst.
According to Daily Mail, Loomer’s sharp critique of the U.S. Army for honoring Medal of Honor recipient Florent Groberg, a French-born veteran, on the anniversary of his heroic act in Afghanistan, has unleashed a storm of backlash from military brass and even former Trump officials.
Let’s rewind to August 8, 2012, when Groberg, serving in Afghanistan, made a split-second decision that defined valor. He tackled a suicide bomber, saving countless fellow soldiers but suffering devastating injuries—losing half his lower calf, hearing in one ear, and enduring a severe brain injury. The Army later stated that without his sacrifice, the carnage would have been far worse.
Tragically, the attack still claimed four lives, including three military leaders and a Foreign Service officer. Groberg’s actions, though, stood as a beacon of courage, earning him the Medal of Honor from President Barack Obama on November 12, 2015.
Fast forward to 2016, when Groberg spoke briefly at the Democratic National Convention, not to push a partisan agenda, but to share his story as a veteran and immigrant. He later clarified in an interview with The Washington Post that he’s a registered Republican, aiming to keep politics out of his service. Yet, this appearance became Loomer’s Exhibit A in her recent attack.
Just last week, on the 13th anniversary of that fateful day in Afghanistan, the Army posted a tribute to Groberg on social media. That’s when Loomer struck, questioning why the Army didn’t spotlight a U.S.-born, Republican soldier instead. Her timing couldn’t be worse—honoring a hero shouldn’t come with a political litmus test.
“Are we supposed to believe the Army couldn't find a Republican and US born soldier?” Loomer posted, doubling down by painting Groberg as a Democratic pawn. Sorry, Laura, but bravery doesn’t check voter registration cards before saving lives. Her words feel like a cheap shot at a man who nearly gave everything for this country.
Loomer didn’t stop there, taking aim at Army Secretary Dan Driscoll for allegedly pushing an anti-Trump agenda on official channels. She pointed to unrelated incidents, like Driscoll thanking a Democratic congressman for attending an Army event and a withdrawn appointment of a Biden official to West Point. These gripes, while worth a conservative eyebrow raise, seem like a distraction from Groberg’s undeniable heroism.
An anonymous Army official didn’t mince words, calling Loomer’s attack “despicable.” They emphasized that Groberg is a national treasure, one of many heroes the Army plans to celebrate as it approaches its 250th anniversary. Finally, someone gets it—service transcends party lines.
“The Army is not going to check the political affiliation of our soldiers before we recognize them,” the same official added. That’s a principle as old as the Constitution itself, and it’s disheartening to see it questioned by someone claiming to champion American values.
Even former Trump administration heavyweights stepped up to defend Groberg. Chris Miller, once acting defense secretary, reminded us that soldiers “bleed Army green,” not red or blue, while calling Loomer’s tactics an “abomination.” Robert Wilkie, ex-Veterans Affairs secretary, echoed that the Medal of Honor is sacred, no matter the recipient’s background or beliefs.
Groberg himself weighed in with quiet dignity, noting, “Thirteen years ago today is my Alive Day.” He honored the four who didn’t come home and reiterated that his brief DNC moment was about sacrifice, not politics. His words cut through the noise—here’s a man who’s earned the right to be heard without partisan spin.
“I wasn't speaking as Republican or Democrat but as a proud immigrant,” Groberg said during his DNC speech, focusing on his American identity. That’s the kind of unity we need, not the divisive mudslinging Loomer’s peddling.
Look, Loomer has every right to question military leadership on policy or perceived bias—conservatives should always hold power to account. But dragging a decorated hero into the culture war meat grinder is a bridge too far. It risks alienating the very patriots who defend our freedoms, regardless of where they were born or how they vote.
At the end of the day, this controversy isn’t about Groberg—it’s about whether we can still honor sacrifice without turning it into a political football. The Army, and Americans of all stripes, owe heroes like Groberg respect, not suspicion. Let’s hope this dust-up reminds us that some things—valor, duty, and gratitude—should remain above the fray.
