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Drudge Retort: The Other Side of the News
Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Rachel Maddow on Trump's appointment of Thomas Fugate, a 22-year-old college graduate with no previous experience, to a major terrorism-prevention post in the DHS: "One year out of college with no evident national security experience whatsoever," she said. "Before volunteering for the Trump campaign, his LinkedIn page reportedly explains that his work experience includes 'lawn care work around my neighborhood.' Also, working part time as a clerk at an H-E-B supermarket. ... "

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Maddow called out the employment history of 22-year-old Fugate, including mowing lawns, grocery clerk in a supermarket, and his internship at the Heritage Foundation, the think tank behind the controversial Project 2025.

[image or embed]

-- The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast.bsky.social) Jun 24, 2025 at 3:30 AM

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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 | Reply

"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 | Reply

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 | Reply

22 years old. What could go wrong???

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

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 | Reply | Funny: 1

@#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 | Reply

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 | Reply

@#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 | Reply

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

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

@#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 | Reply

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 | Reply

Fugate is a fugazi.

#12 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2025-06-25 11:39 AM | Reply

nypost.com

After this appointment of a Corky look alike the left should just STFU.

#13 | Posted by fishpaw at 2025-06-25 01:12 PM | Reply

Remember when the orange pedo chose another------------ to be his spiritual adviser?

www.texastribune.org

#14 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2025-06-25 01:17 PM | Reply

nypost.com

After this appointment of a Corky look alike the left should just STFU.

#13 | Posted by fishpaw

No one is surprised you are okay with this pick lead our anti-terrorism teams.

Are you actually hoping for an attack on America? I wouldn't be surprised if you were.

#15 | Posted by Sycophant at 2025-06-25 01:38 PM | Reply

#13 | Posted by fishpaw

Trump appoints people like this, in part, to symbolize his contempt for America but especially Americans like you.

#16 | Posted by Zed at 2025-06-25 01:50 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

Trump appoints people like this, in part, to symbolize his contempt for America but especially Americans like you.

#16 | Posted by Zed at 2025-06-25 01:50 PM | Reply | Flag

And that's exactly the democrats don't have to worry about willing anytime soon.

#17 | Posted by lfthndthrds at 2025-06-25 03:38 PM | Reply

that's exactly the democrats don't have to worry about willing anytime soon.
#17 | POSTED BY LFTHNDTURDS

Pretty sure Americans have gotten tired of republicans wonting everything we want to do.

#18 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-06-25 03:45 PM | Reply

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

#11 | Posted by lfthndthrds

Remember that time you pathetically tried to come up with a false equivalency to avoid addressing your cult leader's massive incompetence and disregard for american lives?

Sorry I mean remember those 10 million times?

Why couldn't trump find anyone more qualified to lead counter terrorism? Does he think it doesn't matter or does he actually want us to get attacked?

#19 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2025-06-25 03:47 PM | Reply

#13 | POSTED BY FISHPAWN

Transphobia all you got?

How are republicans so terrified of 1% of the population?

I'd put money on it none of you have ever met a transgender person in real life.

#20 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-06-25 03:48 PM | Reply

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

#5 | Posted by gracieamazed

So you've had 48 hours to come up with a justification for trump hiring a 22 year old intern to keep the nation safe from terrorism. What have you got so far?

#21 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2025-06-25 03:48 PM | Reply

#13 | POSTED BY FISHPAWN

Transphobia all you got?

How are republicans so terrified of 1% of the population?

I'd put money on it none of you have ever met a transgender person in real life.

#20 | Posted by ClownShack

He's seen them on the internet though. Trans porn is most popular in the deep red south.

#22 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2025-06-25 03:49 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Why couldn't trump find anyone more qualified to lead counter terrorism?

His only goal is to weaken America.

It's Putin's vengeance against America.

Does he think it doesn't matter or does he actually want us to get attacked?
#19 | POSTED BY SPEAKSOFTLY

He's already attacking America.

I'm sure he'd welcome any other nation that wishes to join.

#23 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-06-25 03:50 PM | Reply

He's seen them on the internet though. Trans porn is most popular in the deep red south.
#22 | POSTED BY SPEAKSOFTLY

I don't doubt it.

#24 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-06-25 03:50 PM | Reply

How are republicans so terrified of 1% of the population?

Hate isn't rational.

#25 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2025-06-25 03:56 PM | Reply

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

#5 | POSTED BY GRACIEAMAZED

Right. That's a much bigger issue than the clown show piles of s%^* administration you voted for.

Idiot.

#26 | Posted by jpw at 2025-06-25 04:47 PM | Reply

And, of course, dumbf^%#s like lfthndcuck and fistedp^$$ have no choice what to whatabout.

What stupid piles of s%^*.

#27 | Posted by jpw at 2025-06-25 04:50 PM | Reply

of course, dumbf^%#s like lfthndcuck and fistedp^$$ have no choice what to whatabout.

Resorting to transphobia is easier than defending Trump

#28 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-06-25 04:52 PM | Reply

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