Latest news with #Fugate
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump Appoints 22-Year-Old Ex-Gardener and Grocery Store Assistant to Lead U.S. Terror Prevention
The inexperienced 22-year-old reportedly tasked by Donald Trump with tackling U.S. extremism was working as a neighborhood gardener just five years ago and in a grocery store as recently as August 2023, the Daily Beast can reveal. Thomas Fugate, who graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio just 12 months ago, is currently heading up the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships at the DHS, as first reported by ProPublica Tuesday. The center, also known as CP3, plays a vital role supporting nationwide efforts to combat terrorism and hate-fueled violence. But according to the youngster's LinkedIn page, Fugate has almost no experience in this field—and in 2020 was working as a self-employed 'Landscape Business Owner.' There isn't much else on his resumé to suggest Fugate has the requisite skills to weed out terrorists. Prior to his work as a gardener—while studying for a degree in politics and law—Fugate worked at an H-E-B supermarket in Austin, Texas, as a 'Cross Functional Team Member.' According to his LinkedIn, he would 'perform various activities around every department of the store, fulfilling key duties contributing to store operations.' Since leaving college, Fugate has had a meteoric rise in the political world, having served as an 'advance team member' on President Donald Trump's 2024 campaign, according to his LinkedIn page. An avowed Republican, he also interned at the Heritage Foundation, the think tank behind Project 2025, and for Texas Representatives Terry Wilson and Steve Allison. Fugate was reportedly hired as a 'special assistant' in an immigration office at the DHS in February, according to ProPublica. He then took over CP3 after its previous director quit. Fugate did not immediately respond to The Daily Beast's request for comment. 'Tom Fugate has performed well in his current role as a Confidential Assistant in our Immigration & Border Security suboffice,' a senior DHS official told The Daily Beast. 'Due to his success, he has been temporarily given additional leadership responsibilities in the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships office (CP3). This is a credit to his work ethic and success on the job.' Fugate set up a political Instagram account last year, where his profile contains the motto, 'Men used to do great things. I believe they still can.' He has posted a number of photos from the campaign trail and his time in Washington, D.C. He also posted a video that showed him with a host of lesser lights in the Republican party, including the disgraced former congressman Madison Cawthorn, Kennedy Center President Ric Grenell, and MAGA personality Riley Gaines. He is also pictured with Texas Governor Greg Abbott and former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. An older account in the name of Trey Fugate on X suggests that he was a fan of LEGO and Star Wars. He used the social media account to call on Texas politicians 'to protect the international affairs budget!' and 'Help the global poor, save lives.' That was just two years before he launched his new MAGA personality with the thomas4texas Instagram account, saying: 'Legend has it that Thomas Fugate didn't start the fire 🔥, but that is always been burning since the world's been turning 🤔. Welcome all to my new account for public service, community involvement, and politics 🇺🇸. Recently things have got to the point where I felt like my main account has become too focused on politics, so I wanted to switch things up!' The plethora of selfies and portraits plastered across his social media accounts suggest that the wryly arched eyebrow Fugate chose for his LinkedIn profile—a photograph taken in front of the seal of the Department of Homeland Security—was very much a knowing choice from a young man who seems to think he is destined for the top.
India Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
Trump names 22-year-old to lead major terrorism prevention centre
Thomas Fugatea, a 22-year-old college graduate, with no previous government leadership or security experience, is now heading the Centre for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, commonly referred to as CP3, at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the US. Fugate, a former gardener and grocery store worker who graduated from college last year, was hired by DHS in February, The Daily Mail reported, citing his LinkedIn replaced veteran Bill Braniff, who had more than 20 years of experience in national security. While the Trump administration defends the move, critics call it "reckless".It is DHS's main platform to fight terrorism within the US. CP3 also boasts an $18 million grant program, which Fugate will have responsibility for. The Trump administration fiercely defended the move, praising in particular Fugate's work ethic, according to a report in the Daily Mail. Fugate's LinkedIn profile, which lacks all the details on him, does not list any background in counterterrorism or related security S BACKGROUND INCLUDES WORK IN LANDSCAPING AND RETAILDespite no relevant experience for the job, Fugate does have an impressive internship history, having worked for the conservative Heritage Foundation and in the House of Representatives, The Daily Mail professional page also mentions time spent running a gardening and landscaping business, along with experience as a grocery store news about his appointment caused concerns among counterterrorism experts and nonprofit groups supported by said they turned to LinkedIn for intel on Fugate — an unknown in their field — and were stunned to see a photo of "a college kid" with a flag pin on his lapel posing with a sharply arched eyebrow," ProPublica, a New York-based news portal, reported."Maybe he's a wunderkind. Maybe he's Doogie Howser and has everything at 21-years-old, or whatever he is, to lead the office. But that's not likely the case," ProPublica quoted one counterterrorism researcher who has worked with CP3 officials for years as saying. "It sounds like putting the intern in charge," the researcher the past seven weeks, the US has seen at least five major targeted attacks, including a car bombing in California and the shooting of two Israeli Embassy staff members in this backdrop, current and former national security officials say the Trump administration's decision to shift counterterrorism resources to immigration and leave the violence-prevention portfolio to inexperienced appointees is "reckless," according to ProPublica. "We're entering very dangerous territory," one long-time US counterterrorism official HOUSE SLAMS PROPUBLICA REPORTadvertisementThe White House pushed back on the ProPublica report, saying that CP3 is not responsible for all counterterrorism functions."Combatting terrorism is a government-wide effort under the Trump Administration," White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told The Daily Mail in a statement.'"The notion that this single office is responsible for preventing terrorism is not only incorrect, it's ignorant," Jackson replaced army veteran Bill Braniff, who stepped down in March following a 20% staff cut by the Trump administration. He had over 20 years' experience in national security. "If I cannot advance the prevention mission from inside the government for now, I will do what I can outside of government," he wrote in a LinkedIn post announcing his resignation, according to a report in The Independent."CP3 is the inheritor of the primary and founding mission of DHS, to prevent terrorism," he taking up the new leadership responsibilities, Fugate was hired as a "special assistant" in an immigration office at the DHS, The Independent was involved in the Trump campaign last year and attended the Republican National Convention. He also held the role of secretary general in a Model United Nations senior DHS official, in a statement, told ProPublica that Fugate's CP3 duties were added to his role as an aide in an Immigration & Border Security office."Due to his success, he has been temporarily given additional leadership responsibilities in the Centre for Prevention Programs and Partnerships office," the official told the outlet. "This is a credit to his work ethic and success on the job," he added.
Metro
3 days ago
- Politics
- Metro
Donald Trump's new anti-terror chief is a former gardener born after 9/11
Meet Thomas Fugate, former gardener, supermarket assistant and now, the man reportedly tasked by Donald Trump with tackling US extremism. At the mere age of 22, Fugate was born after the 9/11 Al-Qaeda attacks – but he has just been handed one of the most complex jobs in American national security. It is the kind of a career jump that raises an eyebrow even under the shock-and-awe tactics within the Trump administration. The recent graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio is currently heading up the Centre for Prevention Programmes and Partnerships at the Department for Homeland Security (DHS), as first reported by ProPublica. He landed a position on the president's campaign in 2024, and was later hired by DHS in February. Also known as CP3, the division within DHS plays a vital role supporting nationwide efforts to combat terrorism. After it was established in 2021, it has handed out around $90 million in funding to organisations working to prevent hate-fuelled violence. CP3 saw its staff reduced by approximately three-quarters during the early months of Trump's second term in office. It is one of the reasons why Fugate's appointment as a special assistant in the division is so jaw-dropping. One counterterrorism researcher who has worked with CP3 officials for years said it sounds 'like putting the intern in charge'. They added: 'Maybe he is a wunderkind. Maybe he is Doogie Howser and has everything at 21 years old, or whatever he is, to lead the office. But that's not likely the case.' According to his LinkedIn page – which has been deleted as the story of his promotion gathered heat – he has almost no experience in this field. Before his promotion, he was working as a neighborhood gardener just five years ago and in a supermarket as recently as August 2023. Fugate interned at the Heritage Foundation, the think tank behind Project 2025, and for Texas Representatives Terry Wilson and Steve Allison. His Instagram account, which has also been made private in the last 48 hours, shows his long-term support for Trump. More Trending A caption of a picture of Fugate snapped at a Trump rally read: 'There ain't no party like a Republican Party, and you can quote me on that one. 'You will truly never meet a more unique, interesting, enthusiastic, and patriotic group of people in one place that at the Republican National Convention, I can tell you that.' A statement from DHS said about the promotion: 'Due to his success, he has been temporarily given additional leadership responsibilities in the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships office. 'This is a credit to his work ethic and success on the job.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Donald Trump and Elon Musk might make peace – but it will never last MORE: Ireland has a US border — it could help travellers nervous about Trump's America MORE: Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein's messy history amid fallout with Elon Musk
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
22-year-old to lead DHS office: Trump picks ex-gardener Thomas Fugate to head prevention team; MAGA ties and little experience in security
Thomas Fugate (Image credits: X @justicemalala) Thomas Fugate, a 22-year-old with a background in gardening and grocery store work, has been appointed by US President Donald Trump to head the center for prevention programs and partnerships (CP3) at the department of homeland Security (DHS). Just five years ago, Fugate was working as a neighborhood gardener. As recently as August 2023, he held a job at a grocery store. A 2023 graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio, Fugate has experienced a swift rise through Republican political circles. Fugate's LinkedIn page shows limited experience in the national security or policy field. In 2020, he listed himself as a self-employed 'landscape business owner.' He also worked as a 'cross functional team member' at an H-E-B supermarket in Austin, Texas. After completing his degree in politics and law, Fugate joined Trump's 2024 presidential campaign as an 'advance team member.' He has also interned at the conservative Heritage foundation and with Texas state representatives Terry Wilson and Steve Allison. In February, he was reportedly hired as a special assistant in an immigration office at DHS. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em Petrópolis (consulte o preço) Alarmes Undo Following the resignation of the previous CP3 director, Fugate was named as the acting head of the center. 'Tom Fugate has performed well in his current role as a confidential assistant in our immigration & border security suboffice,' a DHS official told The Daily Beast. 'Due to his success, he has been temporarily given additional leadership responsibilities in the center for prevention programs and partnerships office (CP3). This is a credit to his work ethic and success on the job.' Earlier posts from his X account show a different tone, one of interest in global aid, LEGO, Star Wars, and international development. In past tweets, he encouraged Texas lawmakers to support the international affairs budget and aid for the global poor. Fugate later shifted toward a MAGA-aligned political image, rebranding himself with the 'thomas4texas' Instagram handle and announcing his entry into public service. His online profiles reflect a carefully constructed persona, including a LinkedIn photo in front of the DHS seal, hinting at confidence and ambition. His rapid promotion has sparked questions about experience and readiness, but DHS officials have stood by the decision, citing his work ethic and current performance.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump Admin Taps 22-Year-Old Who Is One Year Out of College for Terrorism Prevention Role at Homeland Security
The Trump administration has hired a 22-year-old recent college graduate for an important role at the Department of Homeland Security. Thomas Fugate was recently hired to help oversee the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, known as CP3, which works to combat terrorism and targeted violence. "It sounds like putting the intern in charge," one counterterrorism expert told ProPublica upon hearing the Fugate is the latest political appointee of President Donald Trump's administration to raise some eyebrows. The 22-year-old graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio in May 2024 and quickly found himself in an important national security role after helping with Trump's third presidential campaign and working in a government affairs position for The Heritage Foundation, according to his LinkedIn. He was tapped to be a special assistant at the Department of Homeland Security, who will now be entrusted with preventing terrorism. Fugate's role includes helping to oversee the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, known as CP3, which works to combat terrorism and targeted violence. As of September 2024, CP3 is also in charge of administering 35 grants, totaling $18 million, under the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention program. Fugate's LinkedIn profile, which was taken down as his story went viral, noted that he was a checkout clerk at an H-E-B grocery store as recently as 2022. It also listed experience on multiple political campaigns and in Model U.N., however, there was no evidence of counterterrorism expertise or any national security experience that would immediately qualify him for a DHS role. 'Maybe he's a wunderkind. Maybe he's Doogie Howser and has everything at 21 years old, or whatever he is, to lead the office. But that's not likely the case,' one counterterrorism researcher, who has worked closely with CP3, told ProPublica. 'It sounds like putting the intern in charge.' ProPublica also emailed a senior DHS official to ask about Fugate's position and was told his CP3 duties had been added to his role as an aide in an Immigration & Border Security office. 'Due to his success, he has been temporarily given additional leadership responsibilities in the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships office,' the official wrote. 'This is a credit to his work ethic and success on the job.' However, the counterterrorism official told the outlet that it's 'reckless' to put such an inexperienced civilian in charge of Homeland Security duties — especially at a time when multiple high-profile attacks have made headlines in recent weeks. 'We're entering very dangerous territory,' the expert said. Fugate's hiring follows significant DHS downsizing, part of Trump's promised government reduction. In March, the administration made major cuts at the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman and the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman. 'These offices have obstructed immigration enforcement by adding bureaucratic hurdles and undermining DHS's mission,' agency spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said at the time. 'Rather than supporting law enforcement efforts, they often function as internal adversaries that slow down operations.' In April, DHS attempted to further thin its ranks by offering buyouts and early retirement options to staffers. 'The American people deserve a government that works for them, something President Trump has promised,' McLaughlin said. 'Every dollar spent and position filled at DHS should be focused on our core mission of securing our homeland and keeping the American people safe.' Read the original article on People
