By Isabella Torregiani
3:10pm PDT, Jun 8, 2025
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Just one year after graduating college, 22-year-old
Thomas Fugate has landed a prominent role in
Donald Trump's Department of Homeland Security — despite seemingly having no national security experience.
Fugate is now overseeing the government's central hub for terrorism prevention, which includes efforts to combat hate-fueled attacks and school shootings.
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Thomas Fugate, who previously worked for Donald Trump's presidential campaign, has been appointed to a key position within DHS — one that was recently expanded to include the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3).
CP3 is the office responsible for nationwide efforts to prevent targeted violence including school shootings and hate-driven attacks.
In his new role, Fugate helps oversee terrorism prevention strategy and management, including an $18 million grant program that supports community-based initiatives to fight extremism.
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News of Thomas Fugate's hire quickly drew criticism from some counterterrorism experts.
According to reports, before his LinkedIn profile was taken down, it listed prior jobs on political campaigns, involvement in Model UN and work as a checkout clerk at an H-E-B grocery store in 2022 — however, no experience in counterterrorism.
"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 told
ProPublica, adding that "it sounds like putting the intern in charge."
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The news source reached out to DHS for more information on Thomas Fugate's position, his lack of background in national security and what this means for the department's prevention strategy.
A senior DHS official responded, saying, "Due to his success, he has been temporarily given additional leadership responsibilities in the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships office."
"This is a credit to his work ethic and success on the job," the official added.
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Thomas Fugate's recent hire comes during a reshaping of the DHS under President Donald Trump's administration.
In March 2025, the DHS underwent downsizing, cutting staff 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," she added.
