President Trump appoints 22-year-old campaign worker with no security background to lead America’s primary terrorism prevention office, raising serious concerns about national security priorities.
Key Takeaways
- Thomas Fugate, a 22-year-old recent college graduate with no counterterrorism experience, now leads DHS’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3)
- Fugate’s background includes working on the Trump campaign and interning at the Heritage Foundation, not counterterrorism
- The terrorism prevention office has been significantly reduced under President Trump as the administration shifts focus from domestic extremism to immigration
- The administration has proposed eliminating CP3’s grant program that supports local communities in combating terrorism
- Counterterrorism researchers and nonprofit groups have expressed alarm about this appointment and its potential impact on national security
Trump Administration Prioritizes Loyalty Over Expertise in Critical Security Appointment
In a move that has shocked counterterrorism experts, President Trump’s administration has appointed Thomas Fugate, a 22-year-old recent college graduate with no national security experience, to lead the Department of Homeland Security’s main terrorism prevention office. Fugate, whose primary qualifications appear to be his work on the Trump campaign and an internship at the Heritage Foundation, now oversees the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3), which is responsible for developing strategies to prevent terrorism across the United States. His politics degree and campaign experience stand in stark contrast to the specialized expertise typically required for such a critical national security position.
New: One year out of college and with no apparent national security expertise, Thomas Fugate is the Department of Homeland Security official tasked with overseeing the government's main hub for combating violent extremism. https://t.co/N4ewx5VDsK
— ProPublica (@propublica) June 4, 2025
The appointment reflects a broader pattern within the administration of prioritizing political loyalty over subject matter expertise in key government positions. Since President Trump returned to the White House, CP3 has been drastically reduced in size and scope, with most of its staff reassigned to other areas within DHS. This reduction comes at a time when extremist threats continue to challenge American security, raising legitimate questions about the administration’s commitment to preventing domestic terrorism through proven, expert-led programs.
One year out of college and with no apparent national security expertise, a 22-year-old is the Dept. of Homeland Security official tasked with overseeing the government’s main hub for combating violent extremism https://t.co/q1udBNvMeQ
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) June 4, 2025
Shifting Security Priorities Raise National Concerns
The Trump administration has made no secret of its intention to refocus DHS priorities away from domestic extremism and toward immigration enforcement. This strategic shift has effectively delegated terrorism prevention responsibilities primarily to state governments, despite the national and often cross-state nature of extremist threats. The appointment of such a young, inexperienced leader to CP3 appears to be part of this broader policy shift, with the administration proposing to eliminate the office’s grant program from the budget entirely. These grants have historically supported local communities in developing and implementing their own terrorism prevention initiatives.
Security experts from across the political spectrum have questioned the wisdom of downsizing federal terrorism prevention efforts at a time when extremist ideologies continue to inspire violence across America. The propublica investigation revealed that Fugate’s appointment was finalized shortly after a series of extremist attacks in various parts of the country, timing that critics argue demonstrates a dangerous disconnect between the administration’s priorities and the reality of security threats facing American communities.
Supporters Defend Administration’s Security Approach
Supporters of the administration’s security strategy argue that the shift in focus represents a necessary course correction after what they view as an overemphasis on domestic threats during previous administrations. They contend that the most immediate security concerns facing America stem from external threats and border security issues, which require the reallocation of resources from programs like CP3. The appointment of younger, politically aligned officials is portrayed as bringing fresh perspectives to security challenges rather than simply continuing established approaches that some conservatives believe have been ineffective.
— Josh Meyer (@JoshMeyerDC) June 4, 2025
While the administration has not publicly addressed concerns about Fugate’s qualifications specifically, officials have emphasized the President’s commitment to rebuilding America’s security infrastructure with loyal personnel who share his vision. The dramatic restructuring of DHS priorities reflects President Trump’s campaign promises to focus on external threats and border enforcement rather than domestic surveillance programs that some supporters view as potential infringements on civil liberties. However, this explanation has done little to reassure counterterrorism experts concerned about the potential security gaps that may result from such significant policy changes.
