A 22-year-old Trump campaign worker with no national security background has been appointed to lead the Department of Homeland Security’s terrorism prevention hub, the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3), according to ProPublica. Thomas Fugate, a recent college graduate and former intern at the Heritage Foundation, now oversees an $18 million grant program once tasked with countering hate-fueled attacks and extremism.
Fugate’s appointment follows deep staffing cuts under Donald Trump‘s administration, which has shifted DHS priorities from domestic extremism to immigration and drug cartels. Former CP3 director Bill Braniff, a national security veteran, resigned in March amid these changes.
Critics say the move undermines evidence-based terrorism prevention just as targeted violence is on the rise. Recent attacks in the U.S. have included a firebombing, embassy shootings, and mass violence tied to white supremacy and antisemitism.
A DHS spokesperson defended Fugate’s new responsibilities, calling them a reward for his “work ethic and success.” But national security experts say the move signals political loyalty now outweighs professional qualifications in the agency’s most critical roles.
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