• Source:JND
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In a move that has sparked widespread debate, US President Donald Trump has named 22-year-old Thomas Fugate, a recent college graduate and former gardener, as acting director of the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Fugate's rapid rise from laboring in a grocery store in 2023 to now leading a significant counter-extremism program has been of surprise to everyone in political and security circles.

Who Is Thomas Fugate?

On his LinkedIn page, Fugate states that he was a self-employed "landscape business owner" only five years ago. Most recently, he was a "Cross Functional Team Member" at H-E-B supermarket in Austin, Texas, doing simple store work. Fugate graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a degree in Politics and Law in 2023. Shortly thereafter, he became a member of the Donald Trump 2024 Presidential Campaign as an "advance team member" and interned for the conservative Heritage Foundation, along with Texas Representatives Terry Wilson and Steve Allison.

In February of 2025, Fugate became a Special Assistant within the Immigration & Border Security suboffice at DHS. Following the resignation of the previous CP3 director, he was temporarily promoted to lead the department’s counter-extremism wing.“Tom Fugate has performed well in his current role,” a senior DHS official told The Daily Beast. “Due to his success, he has been given additional leadership responsibilities. This is a credit to his work ethic and on-the-job performance.”

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CP3's Critical Role In Countering Extremism

The Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) is integral in identifying and interrupting domestic threats such as violent extremism and terror recruitment. Fugate's political development has been very public on the internet. An older X (formerly Twitter) handle shows a previous interest in foreign aid, LEGO, and Star Wars. When he had it, he called on lawmakers to fund global development initiatives and foreign aid.

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But on his newer Instagram account, @thomas4texas, Fugate has adopted a MAGA-associated political identity, sharing campaign trail images and quoting mantras such as, "Men used to do great things. I believe they still can." He has also been photographed with Texas Governor Greg Abbott, former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, and right-wing politicians such as Madison Cawthorn and Ric Grenell. The contentious hiring has prompted criticism from congressional opposition and national security experts, who claim that a position such as CP3 Director requires years of policy and intelligence experience. But DHS officials believe that Fugate's performance and dedication merit his hiring, at least on an acting capacity.