Latest news with #Fugate
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Serial killer's horrifying murder spree inspired huge Bruce Springsteen hit
Bruce Springsteen's 1982 album Nebraska is an iconic record - but the source of inspiration for the title track is a real-life horror story that continues to captivate the public Bruce Springsteen, the iconic rock star, drew inspiration for one of his most beloved tracks from a harrowing true crime. The Boss delved into some grim territory for his 1982 album 'Nebraska', spinning yarns about outlaws and the downtrodden, some sprung from his own mind, others ripped from the headlines. The eponymous song recounts the chilling saga of Charles Starkweather, a 19 year old killer. Starkweather's rampage resulted in ten lives snuffed out over just eight days, leading to his eventual capture. He wasn't flying solo; his 14 year old "girlfriend," Caril Ann Fugate, was by his side. The true nature of their bond is still hotly contested. At her trial, Fugate maintained she was Starkweather's captive, taken against her will. Initially, in court, Starkweather corroborated Fugate's story of abduction and claimed she played no part in the killings, but he later flip-flopped on his testimony. He took the stand against her, accusing her of being an active accomplice, reports the Mirror US. The first life Starkweather claimed was over a teddy bear denied to him on credit, likely meant as a gift for Fugate. He revisited the shop that night, shotgun in hand, and a scuffle ensued, culminating in the shopkeeper's demise. Two months on, Starkweather unleashed a murderous spree that left 10 dead, starting with the savage slaying of Fugate's family, her baby sister among them. Publicly, Starkweather and Fugate have clashed over her involvement, with debates on whether she was present at the killings or even knew about them. Despite the uncertainty, the pair stayed in the house for nearly a week after the murders, hiding Fugate's family behind the chicken coop before fleeing. Their escape took them to Wyoming, leaving a trail of death in their wake. A massive manhunt ensued, involving the National Guard and vigilante groups, ending with their capture following a high-speed pursuit in Natrona County, Wyoming. Starkweather was returned to Nebraska, where he faced the electric chair, meeting his end on June 25, 1959. He remained silent at his execution, but had previously written to his parents, "but dad I'm not real sorry for what I did cause for the first time me and Caril have more fun." Those haunting words were later captured by Springsteen in his song 'Nebraska'. Fugate, found guilty as an accomplice, was sentenced to life on November 21, 1958, but was paroled in June 1976 after 17.5 years behind bars. According to Ultimate Guitar in 2023, she is still alive at 80, residing in Hillsdale, Michigan. The infamous case seized the public's imagination, sparking fierce debate over capital punishment. Starkweather's name remains etched in history as Nebraska's last execution until 1994, and his story continues to fascinate those studying the minds of serial killers. Before crafting Nebraska, Springsteen reportedly immersed himself in the Starkweather murders and even had conversations with Ninette Beaver, the writer who had documented the killings. However, Springsteen didn't base the entire track on the real events, the actual motives, or Fugate herself. "I wanted black bedtime stories," he wrote in his 2016 autobiography, Born to Run, looking back on the creative period that produced Nebraska. "I thought of the records of John Lee Hooker and Robert Johnson, music that sounded so good with the lights out. I wanted the listener to hear my characters think, to feel their thoughts, their choices."
Axios
6 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
Scoop: Dem probes Trump's 22-year-old terror prevention official
A House Democrat is digging into the Department of Homeland Security's reported hiring of 22-year-old Thomas Fugate to lead a terrorism prevention task force, Axios has learned. Why it matters: Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) argued in a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem that Fugate's role raises "troubling questions about whether DHS is taking the prevention of domestic terrorism seriously." She wrote that his hiring, along with reported layoffs at his office, come "at a time when threats to public officials and democratic institutions are demonstrably increasing," pointing to the shooting of two Minnesota state legislators and their spouses. A DHS spokesperson pushed back by arguing the department has "a robust counterterrorism program" and that the task force "played an insignificant and ineffective role in broader efforts." State of play: ProPublica reported last month that Fugate, a former Trump campaign worker and Heritage Foundation intern who graduated college last May, was tapped to lead the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships. The office, commonly referred to as CP3, is charged with distributing grants to help prevent targeted violence towards local communities, including hospitals, schools and religious institutions. According to the ProPublica report, the office's staff has been reduced from 80 employees to fewer than 20. Driving the news: In her letter, a copy of which was first obtained by Axios, Stevens asked Noem for an accounting of CP3's funding and staffing levels. She also asked about the "selection process" for Fugate, as well as DHS's broader plans to combat politically motivated violence. "I urge you to take immediate steps to restore CP3's mission and ensure qualified leadership is in place to carry it out effectively," Stevens wrote. The other side: " Unfortunately, under the Biden administration, CP3 was weaponized against political opponents and its main purpose was to funnel money to progressive groups," the DHS spokesperson said.
Int'l Business Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Trump's 22-Year-Old DHS Director Has 'One Foot in the Grave' as Past Trouble Resurfaces
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." 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. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrives to attend G20 foreign ministers' meeting, at the airport in New Delhi, India, February 28, 2023. India's Ministry of External Affairs/Handout via REUTERS Reuters Originally published on Latin Times
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Thomas Fugate: Grocery clerk leading nation's top terror post is US President's most shocking appointment
President Donald Trump appointed a 22-year-old recent college graduate with reportedly no national security expertise to lead the Department of Homeland Security 's main hub for terrorism prevention, sparking criticism from critics. Fugate was appointed to key terrorism-prevention role amid rising threats of retaliation from Iran continue following a US military strike on three Iranian nuclear facilities. Fugate, with limited political experience and who once worked at an Austin-area H-E-B is now sitting at the helm of a key office within the US Department of Homeland Security tasked with helping prevent terrorism. He is leading the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships or CP3 at the DHS, ProPublica reported. ALSO READ: 'God help us all': Trump's appointment of 22-year-old college grad to terrorism unit amid Iran crisis faces backlash by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 10 Books The Wealthiest People in the World Read That Poor People Never Open Blinkist Learn More Who is Thomas Fugate? Americans can't help but question their safety with the former 'gardener' being appointed as the head of the terrorism unit by the President of the United States. A former Trump campaign worker, Thomas Fugate is leading the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships—a division of the DHS that oversees terrorism prevention with his ability and qualifications triggering a barrage of questions from netizens. What is even more surprising about Thomas Fugate's appointment is his lack of experience, who graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio just a year ago. Fugate's LinkedIn profile showed no apparent national security experience. Live Events According to his LinkedIn account, he worked at Austin supermarket H-E-B as recently as August 2023 as a 'cross-functional team member.' ALSO READ: Thomas Fugate's appointment amid Iran tensions triggers controversy: MSNBC's Rachel Maddow brutally trolls Trump's pick 'I perform various activities around every department of the store, fulfilling key duties contributing to store operations,' Fugate wrote. His first job in 2020 was listed as a self-employed 'Landscape Business Owner.' Fugate wrote that his duties included 'mowing the yard, weed-whacking the weeds, edging around the yard, then the cleanup of debris.' In the year 2023, Thomas Fugate did an internship at the conservative think tank the Heritage Foundation. The organization is behind the controversial Project 2025 vision for a complete overhaul of the federal government, according to Express US. A senior official at the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnership told ProPublica that 'due to his success' Fugate was 'temporarily given additional leadership responsibilities' at the agency. 'This is a credit to his work ethic and success on the job,' the official told the outlet. ALSO READ: Thomas Fugate: A novice who replaced an army veteran to lead US terror prevention centre Trump Superfan Thomas Fugate faces criticism Many politicians and others on social media are questioning Fugate's capabilities in protecting America and Americans from the situation. Experts have compared the new hire for the Trump administration as "putting the intern in charge," according to ProPublica. Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy was among the leading Democratic voices who criticized Trump's secret Iran attack for putting a target on the backs of Americans abroad and at home. Murphy wrote, 'As our nation girds for possible Iranian terrorist attacks, this is the person Trump put in charge of terrorism prevention,' sharing a photo of Fugate. ALSO READ: Meet Thomas Fugate: 22-year-old ex-gardener and grocery store assistant to lead $18 million terror prevention team He added, '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 Republicans Against Trump X account added in a post, 'As major U.S. cities brace for possible terror attacks in response to the strikes on Iran, just a reminder of who Trump put in charge of terror prevention. God help us all.' "DOES THIS MAKE YOU FEEL SAFE? U.S. officials say Iran will likely mobilize terrorist cells worldwide, including on U.S. soil. Just a reminder Trump has placed Thomas Fugate, a 22-year-old kid in charge of counterterrorism. He's a former grocery store clerk" wrote a person on X. "He's not had enough life experience to be able to handle this job. Jeez." added many others pointing out Fugate's life history and lack of experience. "Cause experience with shoplifters really prepares you for dealing with suicide bombers!" added another.
Economic Times
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Economic Times
Thomas Fugate's appointment amid Iran tensions triggers controversy: MSNBC's Rachel Maddow brutally trolls Trump's pick
Political commentator Rachel Maddow has taken an aim Donald Trump's 22-year-old gardener-turned-counterterrorism pick Thomas Fugate Synopsis Donald Trump has picked 22-year-old former 'gardener' to lead the head of terrorism unit, a decision that has sparked massive controversy. Fugate got the job in May after William Braniff — an Army veteran with over two decades of national security experience — resigned. Now, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow has trolled Trump's pick. Thomas Fugate, a recent graduate of the University of Texas at San Antonio, has been tagged as the leader of the Department of Homeland Security's Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3). Fugate, a former gardener and Trump campaign staffer who graduated college last year, is reportedly overseeing a main US counterterrorism hub. His ability to help defend the US amid heightened tensions with Iran has sparked new worries about the Trump administration's personnel decisions. ADVERTISEMENT Amid the threats of retribution from Iran following the U.S. military strike on three Iranian nuclear sites, critics have ramped up their scrutiny of the 22-year-old who was assigned to a major terrorism-prevention post by President Donald Trump. Fugate, a Trump superfan since his teens, is now leading the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (known as CP3), which is a division of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that oversees terrorism prevention. ALSO READ: 'God help us all': Trump's appointment of 22-year-old college grad to terrorism unit amid Iran crisis faces backlash Political commentator Rachel Maddow has taken an aim Donald Trump's 22-year-old gardener-turned-counterterrorism pick Thomas Fugate. Maddow called out the employment history of the Fugate at her MSNBC show. Thomas Fugate's history include mowing lawns, grocery clerk in a supermarket and his internship at the Heritage Foundation, the think tank behind the controversial Project 2025.'Donald Trump in his infinite wisdom has put this man in charge of (roles at) Homeland Security,' Maddow said. 'Feast your eyes. He's 22-years-old, one year out of college, with no evident national security experience whatsoever.'After posting a White House photo of Fugate with his signature arched eyebrow, Maddow noted, 'I feel duty bound to inform you that the left eyebrow is itself registered as a lethal weapon. So underestimate him at your peril, ladies.' ADVERTISEMENT ALSO READ: 'Why no regime change in Iran?': Trump's big hint as he contradicts Vance, Hegseth amid mid-east crisisThis week, Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy questioned Fugate's anti-terrorism credentials as the threat of war loomed and a spate of attacks have taken . ADVERTISEMENT On Sunday, Murphy shared a photo of Fugate and posted on X, 'As our nation girds for possible Iranian terrorist attacks, this is the person Trump put in charge of terrorism prevention.' He added, '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.'Thomas was hired by DHS in February, according to his LinkedIn page. 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." ADVERTISEMENT "This 22-year-old has no qualifications. No expertise. But he does have one thing Trump prizes above all else: obedience." ALSO READ: France's disturbing syringe incident: Teen girls among 145 attacked. Were those laced with date-rape drugs? Fugate took over from CP3 Director Bill Braniff when he resigned in March, after staff cuts in his counterterrorism hubs authorized by the Trump administration. Braniff had over two decades of national security experience. ADVERTISEMENT Despite media and online blowback against Fugate's experience, a DHS spokesperson downplayed CP3's role in the larger department.'The Department of Homeland Security has a robust counterterrorism program, and the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) office plays an insignificant and ineffective role in the broader efforts,' a DHS spokesperson told the Daily Beast. ALSO READ: Amazon, Microsoft use AI to generate 25% of their code: Will it take away jobs of software engineers in 2025? 'Unfortunately, under the Biden administration, CP3 was weaponized against political opponents and its main purpose was to funnel money to progressive groups. It should be no surprise to anyone, that the Trump Administration is making a diligent effort to end waste, fraud, and abuse— this office is just another example,' they wrote.'The Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Undersecretary has directly overseen efforts to reform this office and has tasked several staffers to assist with this.'A senior DHS official also spoke up for the 22-year-old, telling the Daily Beast he had 'performed well' in his role. 'Due to his success, he has been temporarily given additional leadership responsibilities in the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships office (CP3). This is a credit to his work ethic and success on the job.' (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel) (Catch all the US News, UK News, Canada News, International Breaking News Events, and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.) Download The Economic Times News App to get Daily International News Updates. NEXT STORY
