3 days ago
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
