As relations between the United States and Pakistan appear to be improving, far-right political activist and prominent supporter of US President Donald Trump, Laura Loomer, issued a strong warning against Washington deepening its engagement with Islamabad. She sharply criticized Pakistan, labeling it the world’s “largest exporter” of Islamic terrorism and urging American policymakers to avoid strengthening diplomatic ties with the Pakistani leadership.
Loomer, who is widely known for her unwavering loyalty to Trump and her controversial far-right political views, argued that Pakistan has long been associated with the spread of extremist ideologies and militant activities. During her remarks at the India Today Conclave 2026, she openly criticized the government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and cautioned that closer cooperation between the United States and Pakistan could be problematic. Loomer, who has frequently attracted criticism for her anti-Muslim statements, accused Pakistan of openly promoting jihadist ideology and fostering an environment that supports radical extremism.
While discussing the broader issue of global terrorism linked to Islamist extremist groups, Loomer alleged that a number of terrorist incidents around the world have direct or indirect connections to Pakistan. She maintained that militant networks operating in different regions often trace their roots back to the country. Loomer, who remained a visible and vocal supporter of Trump throughout his presidential campaign and political activities, further claimed that several recent terror attacks—including incidents reported in India and the United Kingdom—had links to extremist groups based in Pakistan.
Reiterating her criticism, Loomer stated emphatically that Pakistan’s most prominent export to the global community has been Islamic terrorism. She asserted that, given this perception, the United States should refrain from developing closer diplomatic relations with the Pakistani government. According to her, Pakistan functions in many ways as a state that supports jihadist ideology and advocates for the implementation of strict Sharia-based governance. Loomer suggested that when analysts examine many Islamist terror incidents around the world, they often find some connection—direct or indirect—leading back to Pakistan.
Expanding on her argument, Loomer cited a recent legal development involving a Pakistani national named Asif Merchant. Merchant was convicted the previous week for allegedly plotting to assassinate Donald Trump and several senior American political figures. Loomer used this case as an example to support her claims about Pakistan’s alleged links to global extremist activities.
Authorities have accused Merchant of attempting to recruit individuals within the United States to carry out an assassination attempt against Trump. Investigators believe the alleged plot was orchestrated at the request of Iran and was intended as retaliation for the 2020 killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Suleimani during Trump’s first presidential term. Suleimani’s death, carried out in a US drone strike in Iraq, significantly escalated tensions between Washington and Tehran at the time.
Referring to the case, Loomer emphasized that the incident highlights what she described as a broader pattern in which many terrorism-related activities can be traced back to Pakistan. She argued that the majority of such threats, in her view, originate from networks linked to the country.
Loomer’s remarks come at a time when diplomatic relations between the United States and Pakistan have experienced a noticeable shift in recent months. Observers note that Pakistan has made a series of efforts aimed at strengthening its ties with Washington, particularly during Trump’s leadership.
Pakistan has taken several steps that analysts believe are intended to improve relations with the United States. These include entering into cryptocurrency-related agreements, publicly acknowledging Trump’s role in de-escalating last year’s tensions with India, and even proposing his name for the Nobel Peace Prize. Additionally, the two countries have recently signed a significant agreement worth approximately $500 million focused on cooperation in the extraction and development of critical minerals and rare earth resources.
During her address, Loomer also revealed that she had personally discussed the issue of Islamic terrorism with Trump. Despite her own strong opposition to engaging with certain international leaders, she acknowledged the practical realities of diplomacy. Loomer said that, from her personal standpoint, she would prefer not to see Islamic leaders welcomed into the Oval Office.
However, she also recognized that the responsibilities of the US presidency require engagement with leaders from across the world. Regardless of personal views or political differences, she acknowledged that the president must conduct diplomacy and maintain dialogue with foreign governments in order to manage international relations and address global challenges.
