• Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Friday that Qatar will build an air force facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho
• The agreement sparked immediate backlash from prominent MAGA figures who called it a betrayal of “America First” principles
• Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson praised the development while critics questioned allowing a foreign military presence on U.S. soil

MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho (TDR) — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ignited a firestorm Friday when he announced that the United States has approved construction of a Qatari Emiri Air Force facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base, drawing sharp criticism from prominent voices within President Donald Trump‘s own support base who view the move as contradicting the administration’s nationalist agenda.

The announcement, made during a Pentagon ceremony alongside Qatari Defense Minister Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, revealed that Qatar will construct a facility to house F-15 fighter jets and pilots for joint training operations with American forces. Hegseth praised Qatar’s role in securing the recent Gaza peace deal, calling it a “historic moment” that showcased the partnership between the two nations.

“Never felt more betrayed”

The decision sparked immediate fury among the Make America Great Again movement’s most vocal supporters. Laura Loomer, a prominent far-right activist with 1.8 million followers, declared on social media that she had “never felt more betrayed by the GOP.” She wrote that Republicans were giving “terror financing Muslims from Qatar a military base on U.S. soil” and stated she would not vote in the 2026 midterm elections over the issue.

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Steve Bannon, former White House chief strategist and architect of the MAGA movement, told Newsweek in a text message that “there should never be a military base of a foreign power on the sacred soil of America.”

Conservative commentator Amy Malek claimed on social media that Qatar has spent $100 billion buying influence in the United States and described the base approval as evidence that investment was paying off.

Local support amid controversy

In sharp contrast to the national backlash, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson praised the development. “Fantastic news for Mountain Home Air Force Base,” Simpson posted on X, adding that the agreement “is beneficial for training, enhances our partnership with America’s allies, and strengthens national security.”

Mountain Home Air Force Base already hosts Singapore’s air force F-15SG fighter jets as part of a 25-year training program that began in 2009, making the Qatari facility the second foreign air force presence at the Idaho installation.

Deepening ties with Qatar

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The facility agreement represents the latest development in the Trump administration’s increasingly close relationship with Qatar. Last month, Trump signed an executive order committing the U.S. to defend Qatar against any armed attack, treating such aggression as “a threat to the peace and security of the United States.” Earlier this year, Trump accepted a $400 million Boeing 747 jet from the Qatari government for use as Air Force One, a move that drew criticism from both Democrats and some conservative commentators.

Pentagon officials said the facility will be executed through foreign military sales and will enable advanced training opportunities while fostering combined operational readiness between American and Qatari forces.

Does hosting foreign military facilities on U.S. soil strengthen national security or compromise America First values?

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