Member drive deadline: tomorrow<a href="[link removed]><img src="[link removed]" alt="" border="0" /></a>

Donate <[link removed]>

Hi Reader,

Last week, our reporters introduced you <[link removed]> to a new Department of Homeland Security official and recent college graduate, Thomas Fugate.

The 22-year-old has no apparent national security expertise. Now, he is overseeing the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, known as CP3, the government’s main hub for domestic terrorism prevention.

Fugate is a former Trump campaign worker who interned at the conservative Heritage Foundation, and the bulk of his leadership experience came from serving as secretary general of a Model United Nations club in college, according to LinkedIn. An $18 million grant program intended to help communities combat violent extremism is now under his remit.

Fugate’s appointment is the latest shock for CP3, an office that has been decimated since President Donald Trump returned to the White House. Previously, the office was responsible for leading nationwide efforts to prevent hate-fueled attacks, school shootings and other forms of targeted violence. Under the current administration’s policy priorities and deep budget cuts, CP3’s mission has changed overnight. There has been a pivot away from focusing on domestic extremism, especially far-right movements. The once-bustling office of around 80 employees now has fewer than 20. Grant work stops, then restarts. And the Trump administration has largely left terrorism prevention to the states <[link removed]>.

Meanwhile, in the past seven weeks, at least five high-profile targeted attacks have unfolded across the U.S., including a car bombing in California and the gunning down of two Israeli Embassy aides in Washington. Against this backdrop, current and former national security officials say, the Trump administration’s decision to shift counterterrorism resources to immigration and leave the violence-prevention portfolio to inexperienced appointees is “reckless.”

“We’re entering very dangerous territory,” one longtime U.S. counterterrorism official said.

ProPublica sought an interview with Fugate through DHS and the White House, but there was no response. The Trump administration rejects claims of a retreat from terrorism prevention, noting partnerships with law enforcement agencies and swift investigations of recent attacks. Through intermediaries, ProPublica sought to speak with CP3 employees but received no reply. Talking is risky; tales abound of Homeland Security personnel undergoing lie-detector tests in leak investigations, as Secretary Kristi Noem pledged in March.

Critics of Fugate’s appointment stress that their anger isn’t motivated by Fugate’s youth or inexperience in Washington. The problem, they say, is the administration’s seemingly cavalier treatment of an office that was funding work on urgent national security concerns.

“The big story here is the undermining of democratic institutions,” a former Homeland Security official said.

As a nonprofit, nonpartisan investigative newsroom, we are committed to ensuring transparency across all branches of government. And we hold leaders accountable. The power of journalism to activate change in this world is made greater by the number of folks standing beside us. Join us today, with your gift of any amount <[link removed]>, and help us continue this critical mission of investigative journalism that spurs impact.

Thanks so much,

Megan Martenyi <[link removed]>

Proud ProPublican <[link removed]>

Donate to ProPublica <[link removed]>

 

 
Become a ProPublican
Join over 80,000 smart, generous, discerning readers who believe that fact-based journalism matters, and donate money to make sure that ProPublica remains financially healthy. It doesn’t take much to become a ProPublican — even a $1 donation will make you one <[link removed]>. Interested in donating through your IRA, donor advised fund, or with stocks? Email us <mailto:[email protected]> or click here for more info <[link removed]>.

ProPublica is a 501(c)3 and our EIN is 14-2007220.

 

VenmoApple PayGoogle PayPayPal
This email was sent to [email protected]. View it in your browser <[link removed]>. Update your email preferences <[link removed]>.

ProPublica • 155 Ave of the Americas, 13th Floor • New York, NY 10013

 

  
 

Stop fundraising emails <[link removed][]=Do+Not+Solicit> Unsubscribe from all emails <[link removed]>  
ProPublica is a nonprofit, and we get the bulk of our funding from individuals like you. Hence, these requests for donations. Prefer not to get these emails? No problem, unsubscribe from only solicitation emails above. ☝