The Daily Populous Saturday July 12nd, 2025 morning edition
Authored by latintimes.com and submitted by PostHeraldTimes

A 22-year-old loyalist to President Donald Trump with no counterterrorism experience is now leading the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) top terrorism prevention office, drawing scrutiny over his past conduct and the administration's alleged sidelining of national security.

Thomas Fugate, a recent college graduate and former Trump campaign volunteer, was appointed earlier this year to run the DHS Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3), which oversees an $18 million grant program meant to combat extremist violence, ProPublica reported in June.

Fugate's rapid rise, from grocery store worker to overseeing national security strategy, has alarmed many in the intelligence and counterterrorism world. CP3, once led by seasoned law enforcement and terrorism experts, has been gutted under Trump's second term, current and former DHS officials say.

Scrutiny around Fugate intensified this week after The Daily Beast revealed he was investigated in 2020 for reportedly sending threatening messages to someone he was competing with for the affections of a girl.

At the time, Fugate, then 18, dated a 16-year-old and allegedly lashed out in a series of hostile Snapchats, prompting a police complaint. DHS has denied there was a formal investigation, but a letter from the Cedar Park city attorney cited an inquiry into "injury to a child."

One senior department source told the outlet bluntly, "He's got one foot in the grave. [There is] no real desire from leadership to protect him."

While the department insists the matter was resolved privately between families, insiders say the resurfaced incident highlights concerns about Fugate's judgment and fitness for the role. Internally, his leadership has been met with unease, described by staff as disorganized and superficial, with some comparing meetings to "career counseling" rather than counterterrorism strategy.

DHS has yet to clarify his long-term role, calling his CP3 appointment "temporary," though multiple insiders say there's little appetite to defend the decision.

Ok-Ruin5223 on July 11st, 2025 at 15:30 UTC »

He’s 22 and has a past to resurface!

P_a_s_g_i_t_24 on July 11st, 2025 at 15:27 UTC »

That eyebrow should be enough to disqualify him.

ConnectedVeil on July 11st, 2025 at 15:27 UTC »

He seems like the amalgamation of every 4chan incel, Tate bro loser, and X sexist/racist/homophobe of the last 8 years assembled into a human.