Thomas Fugate, a 22-year-old newly minted college graduate, is now at the center of a growing political fury after being chosen by former President Donald Trump to run a major terrorism prevention project.
Fugate is now the acting director of the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) — as part of the Department of Homeland Security — to help to prevent domestic radicalization and terrorism.
His appointment has sparked national alarm because he is young, has no professional experience, and is assuming a highly sensitive responsibility. Fugate received his Politics and Law degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2024.
He came to DHS after working as a special assistant (for a few months) and briefly worked as a grocery store clerk and doing landscaping work in his own neighborhood prior to that.
Just a few months after entering DHS Fugate was promoted to this role in April 2025, after William Braniff resigned as the director of CP3. Braniff was seen as a leading counterterrorism expert and educator.
As our nation girds for possible Iranian terrorist attacks, this is the person Trump put in charge of terrorism prevention.
— Chris Murphy 🟧 (@ChrisMurphyCT) June 22, 2025
22 years old. Recent work experience: landscaping/grocery clerk.
Never worked a day in counter-terrorism. But he’s a BIG Trump fan. So he got the job. pic.twitter.com/FIlMWFoudZ
According to reports, Braniff resigned in protest of extreme staffing cuts, significant cuts in funding, and what he considered to be a dwindling focus from the administration about what real prevention is.
Detractors of the decision have cited Fugate's limited experience and have implicitly questioned whether Fugate is even qualified to run a national program on violent extremism. One of the most serious public responses came from Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, who posted on social media:
"22 years old. Recent job experience: landscaping/grocery clerk. Never had a job in counter-terrorism. But he's a BIG Trump fan. So that was good enough."
Internal reports suggest that CP3 has already had a decrease in staff size; reports indicate staff size has decreased from about 80 employees to these days less than 20. Current and former staff have also said they are frustrated because the department is being hollowed out when the mission is more vital than ever.
Good job that US Terrorism Prevention is currently being led by this guy.https://t.co/CUttmLfskI pic.twitter.com/8XaXrAWxob
— Otto English (@Otto_English) June 22, 2025
Timing Complicated by Tensions with Iran
Fugate is appointed at an exceedingly worried time for national security. The United States has just conducted airstrikes on various Iranian nuclear facilities which triggered retaliation threats from Iran. Intelligence agents and foreign policy experts have cautioned of the potential for asymmetrical responses – including cyberattacks on our networks, stalking and targeted violence or terrorism, particularly against American persons or interests abroad.
Because of these escalating concerns, many are considering Fugate's leadership to be risky. The CP3's job is to help communities, schools, and local governments identify early signs and intervene before it becomes violent. The CP3 plays a vital role in keeping our country safe by preventing violence, not only by responding to it.
Don’t worry, 22 year old Thomas Fugate, has been tapped to lead the Department of Homeland Security's terror prevention office. He was previously an H.E.B team member and gardener. I know I’ll sleep so much better knowing we’re in good hands. pic.twitter.com/lluLBQC2rr
— PatriotDaughter (@Cubfan13241) June 22, 2025
Many security experts argue that a position of this sensitivity and importance needs not only personal knowledge of policies, but practical skill sets in dealing with extremist threats, coordinating with law enforcement efforts, and risk management - usually cultivated over years, not months. Additionally, critics are concerned that a person that is new to this space, as Fugate is (and again, he was working in the community as a school counselor less than a year ago), is leading this office, sending a message to many home and abroad.
Simultaneously, supporters of the Trump administration are saying that the former president has the right appoint who he thinks is loyal and who will devote themselves to his vision. They argue that political loyalty and loyalty to Trump’s policies may be just as valuable to him as actual experience.
Nevertheless, with Iran pledging retribution against the U.S. airstrikes, and increased global tensions likely leading to more conflicts, many people don't believe this is the time to throw everything up in the air with who could potentially lead a department that is supposed to keep Americans safe from terror threats.
As major U.S. cities brace for possible terror attacks in response to the strikes on Iran, just a reminder of who Trump put in charge of terror prevention
— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) June 22, 2025
God help us all pic.twitter.com/0UgrP6jHNQ
The discussion about Fugate's qualifications continues to grow in scale - and not just simply as a matter of politics but also a matter of public safety.
Source(Image / Thumbnail): economictimes
