Trump puts 'intern in charge' as 22-year-old former gardener takes top anti-terrorism job amid Iran bombing
Thomas Fugate, a former gardener and Trump campaign staffer who graduated college last year, is reportedly overseeing a main U.S. counterterrorism hub.
He now holds the title of special assistant, effectively running the Department of Homeland Security's Center for Prevention Programs Partnerships, commonly referred to as CP3, ProPublica reported earlier this month.
'It sounds like putting the intern in charge,' a counterterrorism researcher with years of experience at CP3 told the outlet of the 22-year-old's growing influence.
He was hired by DHS in February, according to his LinkedIn page.
And as federal officials warn about the increased likelihood of a terror attack on the U.S. homeland after American strikes in Iran, Fugate's role is coming under scrutiny.
Democratic Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy raised the Trump official's sparse resume in terrorism prevention.
'22 years old. Recent work experience: landscaping/grocery clerk. Never worked a day in counter-terrorism. But he's a BIG Trump fan. So he got the job,' the senator noted.
Steven Hassan, CEO of Freedom of Mind Resource Center Inc., similarly posted: 'Trump didn't appoint Thomas Fugate to protect Americans from terrorism. He appointed him to ensure loyalty to him.'
'This 22-year-old has no qualifications. No expertise. But he does have one thing Trump prizes above all else: obedience.'
A spokesperson for DHS dodged the Daily Mail's questions about Fugate and declined to make him available for an interview, arguing that his hiring is part of broader personnel reforms within the department's counterterrorism program.
'Unfortunately, under the Biden administration, CP3 was weaponized against political opponents and its main purpose was to funnel money to progressive groups,' the spokesperson said.
DHS has put out warnings that the U.S. homeland could be targeted in return for the American stealth bomber strike on Iran.
Although there are 'no specific credible threats,' the department warned that low-level cyber attacks against U.S. networks are likely, as well as the possibility of 'sleeper cell' attacks.
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