Latest news with #CP3
The Independent
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Eyebrow-raising 22-year-old named leader of anti-terrorism unit says he is just a low-level staffer and denies having any power
A 22-year-old Trump administration appointee with no national security experience whose leadership role at a Department of Homeland Security anti-terror unit prompted criticism now denies he had any real power to begin with. "All decisions came down from policy leadership, [the] undersecretary, deputy secretary, and chief of staff," Thomas Fugate, who was appointed in February, told Fox News of his role at the agency's Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, known as CP3. "It's only when you take it out of context and blow it out of proportion that it then becomes a massive problem where people think I'm practically running the FBI," he added. In the same article, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called Fugate the victim of a media 'smear campaign,' and said, 'Fugate never held the director role at CP3, and to imply that he had operational control or exercised leadership over CP3 is simply untrue, as we have consistently told them." In June, ProPublica reported that Fugate, a recent college graduate and Trump campaign worker, had been tapped for a major role at CP3 after the center's previous director, national security veteran Bill Braniff, resigned in March in the face of Trump administration funding cuts. 'Due to his success, he has been temporarily given additional leadership responsibilities in the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships office,' an administration official told the outlet. 'This is a credit to his work ethic and success on the job.' National security professionals were alarmed by Fugate's rise, comparing it to putting 'the intern in charge' of an outfit dedicated to funding programs aimed at preventing domestic shootings and terror attacks. Democratic critics of the president also hammered the move, including Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut. 'Never worked a day in counter-terrorism,' Murphy wrote on X. 'But he's a BIG Trump fan. So he got the job.' Prior to serving in the Trump administration, Fugate interned with Texas lawmakers and at the conservative Heritage Foundation, as well as worked in landscaping and at a grocery store. Braniff, the former head of CP3, has criticized the cuts to the office, including an $18.5 million funding cut last week that Homeland Security said was targeting 'wasteful and ideologically driven' programs tied to diversity and LGBT+ work. 'When people say, 'You can't prove prevention doesn't work,' I ask them, 'Do you go to the doctor? Do you have a smoke detector in your home?' Then you believe in prevention,' Braniff, now the head of the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab at American University, told NBC News. 'Do I know for certain that we helped to avert school shootings and mass casualty attacks? I am 99% sure that we helped to avert a number of them,' he added. As part of its push to increase border security and rapidly deport millions, the Trump administration has shifted resources and agents away from areas like counterterrorism, though by June the FBI was reportedly considering shifting thousands of agents back to threats from foreign adversaries. Acts of violence and extremism have taken place during the Trump administration, including a fire attack on marchers in Colorado raising awareness of Israeli hostages, the arson of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's residence, and the shooting of two Israeli Embassy workers in Washington.
Fox News
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Thomas Fugate, 22-year-old Trump DHS appointee, addresses backlash over age, inexperience
FIRST ON FOX: Thomas Fugate, a 22-year-old Trump appointee, spoke with Fox News Digital after being cast into the spotlight and criticized over his young age, inexperience and role in President Donald Trump's administration. Fugate's official title at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is Special Assistant. However, several outlets reported that Fugate was the head of DHS's Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3). CP3 is DHS' lead office for terrorism and targeted violence prevention. The young appointee and DHS denied those claims to Fox News Digital. "All decisions came down from policy leadership, [the] undersecretary, deputy secretary, and chief of staff," Fugate emphasized. Fugate went on to say that CP3, a program which was gutted by an $18.5 million cut last week, has a heavily reduced role compared to previous administrations as Trump's DHS has downsized the division. "Before I got there, [CP3] was already flagged for waste, fraud, and abuse," Fugate explained. "We're not talking about a massive office of 80 people with a wide range of functions. We're talking about a very niche and small, specialized office." Fugate said the office is mainly focused on administering a grant program. "It's only when you take it out of context and blow it out of proportion that it then becomes a massive problem where people think I'm practically running the FBI," Fugate continued. DHS also told Fox News Digital that Fugate was never in a position of leadership within the program, and even referred to him as a "low-level" staffer. "This entire smear campaign around Thomas Fugate is a smokescreen to bury the rampant grift and waste festering in the CP3 program under the Biden Administration's watch," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox. "Fugate never held the director role at CP3, and to imply that he had operational control or exercised leadership over CP3 is simply untrue, as we have consistently told them." "The fact a low-level 22-year-old staffer was able to identify the misappropriated spending and the subsequent violent reaction to defend this woke, partisan spending by those on the left tells you exactly what this program was really being used for," McLaughlin said. As for his young age and experience, Fugate noted that he started out with DHS at Border and Immigration when the Undersecretary of Policy asked him to temporarily assist at CP3. Prior to that, he interned at the Heritage Foundation before graduating from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a degree in Politics and Law last May. Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News Digital covering breaking news. Story tips can be sent to and on X @MizellPreston
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Chris Paul returns to Los Angeles Clippers on 1-year, $3.6M deal in what may be his farewell NBA season
Chris Paul was in San Antonio Spurs (Image via Getty Images) Chris Paul , a free agent point guard, just signed a contract with the Los Angeles Clippers for what is likely to be his final NBA season. The information was initially shared with ESPN by Jessica Holtz, Ty Sullivan, and Steven Heumann of CAA. Later, ESPN's Shams Charania posted it to X. The L.A. Clippers and the 12-time All-Star have reached an agreement for a one-year, $3.6 million contract. From 2011 to 2017, he spent six seasons playing for L.A. Chris Paul returns to Los Angeles Clippers in move that could define a historic offseason triumph No NBA team has enjoyed a more successful offseason than the Los Angeles Clippers. However, building around star forward like Kawhi Leonard hasn't worked out thus far. Nevertheless, the team is now hoping to change that next season. In addition to including John Collins, Brook Lopez, and Bradley Beal, the team made a significant move on Monday to add a potential Hall of Famer. Chris Paul, a 12-time NBA All-Star, has joined the L.A. Clippers. The All-Star player chose the contending team because of their shared history in Los Angeles. He joins the L.A. Clippers as their newest seasoned addition. Additionally, they have also established salary cap flexibility so that they might potentially pursue stars in the upcoming two summers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo CP3 is probably starting his last NBA season, so it seems like the proper decision for the seasoned point guard to return home with the Los Angeles Clippers . According to NBA source Chris Haynes, he is preparing for a probable farewell tour by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $3.6 million. Chris Paul is an amazing player (Image Source: Getty Images) Paul, who played for the L.A. Clippers for six seasons, has also led the team in assists with 4,023, the highest in the team's history. This past season, he signed a one-year, $10.9 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs . CP3, one of the top point guards available, was an unrestricted free agent going into the offseason for the second consecutive summer. At 40, he is still a productive floor general and distributor even though he isn't a top scorer anymore. Hence, the fans are looking forward to seeing him play for his new team. Also read: Chris Paul could take on key bench role if Milwaukee Bucks sign future Hall of Famer Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Fox News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
DHS cancels $18.5 million in Biden-era grants designated to fund LGBTQ and DEI programs
FIRST ON FOX: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Secretary Kristi Noem announced Thursday the cancellation of $18.5 million in taxpayer-funded grants for the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3). The grants were designated by the Biden administration to provide taxpayer funds to various organizations that DHS says are "ideologically driven programs" promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and LGBTQ agendas. "These cancellations reflect DHS's commitment to fiscal responsibility and national security," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital. "By eliminating wasteful and ideologically driven programs, we are redirecting resources to initiatives that uphold American values, respect the rule of law and effectively combat terrorism and violence." Some of the cuts include $851,836 to the Eradicate Hate Global Summit, which DHS refers to as a DEI organization, and $209,407 to the Supporting and Mentoring Youth Advocates and Leaders group, which DHS says promotes radical gender ideology learning to K-12 students while targeting kids as young as kindergarten. CP3, which replaced the Office of Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention in 2021, was originally designed to be a division within DHS with a mission of strengthening the nation's ability to prevent targeted violence and terrorism through being guided by public health principles. However, the Biden administration, which once touted its commitment to DEI principles, directed the grants toward the controversial organizations. This is not the first time DHS has made major spending cuts to radical programs. Last month, Fox News Digital reported the agency uncovered and killed $1.5 million in additional Biden-era taxpayer-funded grants that went toward similar organizations. The DOGE-like approach will allow DHS to divert taxpayer funds within the agency, and a spokesperson said the money "will be redirected to efforts that actually protect the American people." Preston Mizell is a writer with Fox News Digital covering breaking news. Story tips can be sent to and on X @MizellPreston
Axios
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Scoop: Dem probes Trump's 22-year-old terror prevention official
A House Democrat is digging into the Department of Homeland Security's reported hiring of 22-year-old Thomas Fugate to lead a terrorism prevention task force, Axios has learned. Why it matters: Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) argued in a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem that Fugate's role raises "troubling questions about whether DHS is taking the prevention of domestic terrorism seriously." She wrote that his hiring, along with reported layoffs at his office, come "at a time when threats to public officials and democratic institutions are demonstrably increasing," pointing to the shooting of two Minnesota state legislators and their spouses. A DHS spokesperson pushed back by arguing the department has "a robust counterterrorism program" and that the task force "played an insignificant and ineffective role in broader efforts." State of play: ProPublica reported last month that Fugate, a former Trump campaign worker and Heritage Foundation intern who graduated college last May, was tapped to lead the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships. The office, commonly referred to as CP3, is charged with distributing grants to help prevent targeted violence towards local communities, including hospitals, schools and religious institutions. According to the ProPublica report, the office's staff has been reduced from 80 employees to fewer than 20. Driving the news: In her letter, a copy of which was first obtained by Axios, Stevens asked Noem for an accounting of CP3's funding and staffing levels. She also asked about the "selection process" for Fugate, as well as DHS's broader plans to combat politically motivated violence. "I urge you to take immediate steps to restore CP3's mission and ensure qualified leadership is in place to carry it out effectively," Stevens wrote. The other side: " Unfortunately, under the Biden administration, CP3 was weaponized against political opponents and its main purpose was to funnel money to progressive groups," the DHS spokesperson said.
