Tuesday, June 24, 2025

'God help us all': appointment of 22yo to terrorism unit

Thomas Fugate, a 22-year-old college graduate with no previous experience, has been appointed by US President Donald Trump to to a major terrorism-prevention post in the DHS.

Comments

More from the article ...

... US President Donald Trump's move to pick a 22-year-old college graduate with no previous government leadership or security experience for a critical terrorism-prevention role has drawn criticism amid rising tensions with Iran.

The backlash from Democrats came in the wake of military strikes against Iran and warnings from officials about the heightened risk of terror attacks at home. ...

The department told The Independent that Fugate was "temporarily given additional leadership responsibilities" in CP3 "due to his success." Staffers he works with, however, have likened meeting with him to "career counseling" while expressing shock at how little he appears to know about the role, the outlet reported. ...



#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-06-24 07:28 PM

"The Intern in Charge": Meet the 22-Year-Old Trump's Team Picked to Lead Terrorism Prevention
www.propublica.org

... One year out of college and with no apparent national security expertise, Thomas Fugate is the Department of Homeland Security official tasked with overseeing the government's main hub for combating violent extremism. ...

Fugate's appointment is the latest shock for an office that has been decimated since President Donald Trump returned to the White House and began remaking national security to give it a laser focus on immigration.

News of the appointment has trickled out in recent weeks, raising alarm among counterterrorism researchers and nonprofit groups funded by CP3. Several said they turned to LinkedIn for intel on Fugate -- an unknown in their field -- and were stunned to see a photo of "a college kid" with a flag pin on his lapel posing with a sharply arched eyebrow.

No threat prevention experience is listed in his employment history. ...


But, there's the image ...
img.assets-d.propublica.org

That eyebrow must have pushed Pres trump to support him ....


#2 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-06-24 07:38 PM

FBI plans to shift agents from immigration enforcement to counterterrorism: Sources
abc7ny.com

... The FBI is planning to reallocate potentially thousands of agents away from immigration enforcement to focus on cyber threats and counterterrorism efforts, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News Tuesday.

The shift in resources was prompted in part by the U.S. strikes in Iran over the weekend, the sources said.

The FBI has discussed shifting at least a couple thousand agents away from immigration work to help protect against threats from foreign adversaries, especially Iran, said the sources.

"The FBI does not comment on specific operational adjustments or personnel decisions," an FBI official told ABC News. "However, we continuously assess and realign our resources to respond to the most pressing threats to our national security and to ensure the safety of the American people." ...


#3 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-06-24 07:53 PM

22 years old. What could go wrong???

#4 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2025-06-24 07:58 PM

Second time this story has been recycled on the DR in 48 hours. God help us all.

#5 | Posted by gracieamazed at 2025-06-24 08:01 PM

@#5 ... Second time this story has been recycled on the DR in 48 hours. God help us all. ...

In actuality, I posted this a week or two or three ago when Mr Fugate was appointed.

But I do have to ask, is a repetitious posting something that brings you to a "God help us all" moment, as your post states?

I mean, really.

Do try to get your priorities straight.


#6 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-06-24 08:30 PM

Fugate's appointment drew criticism in the media due to his very limited experience in national security. ProPublica observed that his LinkedIn showed the bulk of his leadership experience coming from a Model United Nations club.[1] Former Homeland Security officials and counterterrorism experts voiced concern that the decision reflected an effort by the Trump administration to sideline CP3's original mission and shift its focus toward immigration and partisan priorities.[1][5] The Department of Homeland Security defended Fugate's appointment, citing his work ethic and performance.[2]

wikipedia

#7 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-06-24 08:32 PM

@#7

Also from the Wikipedia article ...
en.wikipedia.org

There's that eyebrow.

upload.wikimedia.org

Pres Trump, in his appointments, seems to be focused more (mostly?) upon two things...

1) allegiance and and servitude.

2) a good media look (hence the Sec Hegseth make-up room in the Pentagon)

More from the article ...

... In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Senator Chris Murphy called out Trump for appointing Thomas Fugate.

"As our nation girds for possible Iranian terrorist attacks, this is the person Trump put in charge of terrorism prevention," Murphy wrote -- referring to Fugate.

"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," his post read on X. ...

[emphasis mine]


Mr Fugate seems to possess both of those qualifications.

But, what are his qualifications for the position he has been appointed to?

#8 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-06-24 08:46 PM

This guy looks like he's seen some ---- for 22.

#9 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-06-24 08:51 PM

@#9 ... looks like he's seen some ---- for 22 ...

But did he?

And "looks like" may be a reason why Pres Trump was attracted to him for the position.

Will he require a make-up room?


#10 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-06-24 09:29 PM

Remember that time Biden appointed the mentally ill, cross dressing, kleptomaniac to head the nuclear waste division of his administration?

#11 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-06-24 11:13 PM

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