Inside the Shocking Pick to Lead US Terrorism Prevention

At just 22 years old, Thomas Fugate is now running a key division in the Department of Homeland Security. His job? Overseeing the federal government’s primary hub for preventing terrorism and violent extremism. The decision to elevate a political science graduate fresh out of college into such a high-stakes role has stunned many in the national security world - and sparked fears about what this means for America’s ability to fight domestic threats.

From Grad to Government Gatekeeper

Fugate graduated magna cum laude from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2024 with a degree in politics and law. His resume includes a stint as a campaign volunteer for President Donald Trump, and an internship with the conservative Heritage Foundation. He also launched a campaign to become a delegate to the Republican National Convention.

Barely a year later, Fugate was appointed to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), where he began as a special assistant within the Office of Immigration and Border Security. By spring 2025, he was given temporary leadership of the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) - the agency’s primary counterterrorism prevention unit.

CP3 is responsible for disbursing $18 million in grants and coordinating efforts to stop radicalization and targeted violence. It’s a high-profile role, previously led by seasoned experts like Bill Braniff, an Army veteran with over 20 years in national security.

Praise From DHS, Alarm From Experts

DHS has defended Fugate’s appointment, calling it “a credit to his work ethic and success on the job,” according to a statement shared with ProPublica. But many in the counterterrorism field see it differently.

Several nonprofit leaders and former CP3 grantees expressed disbelief upon discovering Fugate’s background. Some reportedly turned to LinkedIn to verify who he was - and were shocked to find a young political science graduate with no listed threat prevention experience.

As one anonymous counterterrorism researcher told ProPublica, “It sounds like putting the intern in charge.”

Shrinking the Office, Shifting the Mission

The change in leadership is part of a broader shift within DHS under Trump’s renewed administration. Once home to 80 staffers, CP3 now reportedly has fewer than 20. Staffers have been reassigned or let go, and the agency’s mission has been redefined. Rather than focusing on domestic extremism, the definition of terrorism has expanded to include drug cartels, aligning more closely with Trump’s border-focused policy agenda.

Grant recipients say funding has become inconsistent. Some are still unsure whether another grant cycle will occur, despite the CP3 website continuing to promote its community-based prevention programs.

The proposed DHS budget for the upcoming fiscal year recommends eliminating CP3’s grant program entirely, stating it “does not align with DHS priorities,” according to ProPublica.

Social Media Star and MAGA Devotee

Fugate’s social media tells the story of a devoted Trump supporter whose political enthusiasm began at 13. Instagram posts show him celebrating Trump’s birthday in Florida, attending the Republican convention, and campaigning in a cowboy hat with MAGA luminaries like Matt Gaetz and Ben Carson.

When Trump won re-election, Fugate shared an emotional post, crediting the win to the “dedicated, driven group” he worked alongside and reaffirming his long-standing belief in Trump’s leadership, according to ProPublica.

His rise seems to reflect the White House’s preference for ideological loyalty over subject matter expertise. As one former DHS official said according to ProPublica, “The big story here is the undermining of democratic institutions.”

A Climate of Violence, A Vacuum of Leadership

Fugate’s appointment coincides with a troubling uptick in violent extremism. Over just seven weeks in spring 2025, the U.S. experienced multiple high-profile attacks - including a firebombing in Colorado, a deadly car bombing in California, and the shooting of two Israeli Embassy aides in Washington.

With national security agencies understaffed and redirection of resources away from prevention, some experts worry the country is vulnerable. “If you cut the staff and there are major attacks that lead to a reconsideration, you can’t scale up staff once they’re fired,” a veteran U.S. counterterrorism official told ProPublica.

Others echo this concern, saying CP3 had been making strides in funding community-based, evidence-driven approaches to violence prevention - efforts that now appear to be at risk.

An Uncertain Future for CP3

According to ProPublica, the prevailing theories among DHS insiders are stark. Either the Trump administration appointed Fugate as a placeholder while they dismantle CP3, or he has been tasked with diverting resources to politically aligned law enforcement partners.

Regardless of the reasoning, CP3’s fate appears uncertain. As of now, its leader is a 22-year-old with no national security credentials. In an era of rising domestic threats, that has critics deeply worried.

References: “The Intern in Charge”: Meet the 22-Year-Old Trump’s Team Picked to Lead Terrorism Prevention | 2024 UTSA grad tapped to oversee DHS terrorism prevention office