Why is there outrage over Donald Trump’s DHS counterterrorism appointment after the Minneapolis school shooting?
In the aftermath of the heartbreaking shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis—where two children were killed and 17 others injured—new scrutiny is falling on the Trump administration’s handling of national security.
At the center of the scandal is Thomas Fugate III, a 22-year-old former intern who now heads the Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3). This office is supposed to be the nation’s primary hub for preventing terrorism, school shootings, and hate-fueled extremism.
But a ProPublica investigation revealed earlier this year that Fugate has no professional experience in counterterrorism or national security. His résumé includes time at the conservative Heritage Foundation and social media posts praising Trump since he was a teenager—hardly the qualifications needed to oversee an $18 million grant program aimed at keeping communities safe.
Workforce gutted: After taking charge, Fugate reportedly fired about 75% of CP3’s staff, slashing its capacity from 80 employees to fewer than 20.
Mission redirected: Instead of focusing on domestic extremism—the very threat linked to most U.S. mass shootings—Fugate shifted the office toward issues like drug cartels and border security.
Red flags ignored: Reports suggest the Minneapolis shooter had posted disturbing YouTube videos in advance, flashing white supremacist symbols and voicing hate speech. Critics argue that a functioning prevention hub should have been able to catch these warning signs.
One former Homeland Security official told ProPublica:
“The big story here is the undermining of democratic institutions. Who’s going to volunteer to be the next civil servant if they think their supervisor is an apparatchik?”
Another expert compared the hire to “putting the intern in charge.”
Bigger picture
This scandal highlights two interconnected problems:
Institutional negligence: Key counterterrorism offices are being hollowed out or politicized by unqualified loyalists.
Gun policy gridlock: Despite repeated tragedies, Republican leaders continue blocking basic gun safety reforms while deflecting blame onto mental health, media, or anything but firearms.
The tragic reality is that America’s children remain vulnerable because political leaders are prioritizing ideology and special interests over evidence-based safety measures. Until we see real accountability and meaningful reforms, these preventable tragedies will continue.
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