US President Donald Trump Appoints 22-Year-Old Former Gardener Thomas Fugate to Lead DHS Prevention Unit
Former gardener Thomas Fugate, just 22 years old, has been selected by U.S. President Donald Trump to head the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). According to a report from The Daily Beast, Fugate was working in neighborhood landscaping only five years ago and held a job in a grocery store as recently as August 2023.
Having graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio a year ago, Fugate now leads CP3, a key division within DHS responsible for counter-extremism and prevention initiatives.
Who is Thomas Fugate?
Fugate’s LinkedIn profile outlines a non-traditional path to federal leadership. In 2020, he identified as a self-employed “Landscape Business Owner” with limited exposure to national security or counterterrorism. Prior to that, he worked at H-E-B, a Texas grocery chain, as a “Cross Functional Team Member,” while completing his political science and legal studies.
Since his graduation, Fugate’s trajectory into conservative political circles has been rapid. His résumé includes time as a staffer on Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign, where he served on the advance team.
In addition, Fugate held internships with the Heritage Foundation—a conservative think tank behind Project 2025—and also worked under Texas lawmakers Terry Wilson and Steve Allison.
According to ProPublica, Fugate joined the Department of Homeland Security in February as a “special assistant” within its immigration sector. He was elevated to oversee CP3 following the departure of its previous director.
“Tom Fugate has been performing strongly in his capacity as a Confidential Assistant in the Immigration & Border Security suboffice,” a DHS official reportedly stated.
In 2023, Fugate launched a political-themed Instagram account with the slogan: “Men used to do great things. I believe they still can.” The account features campaign trail snapshots, images from Washington, D.C., and videos with lesser-known conservative figures like Madison Cawthorn and Ric Grenell, as well as with Texas Governor Greg Abbott and former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Interestingly, an older Twitter account under the name “Trey Fugate” paints a very different picture. It showed interests in LEGO sets, Star Wars, and humanitarian causes. At one point, he even encouraged Texas leaders to support international aid efforts and global poverty relief.
That softer tone gave way to a more politically charged persona when he introduced his @thomas4texas Instagram account, writing: “Legend has it that Thomas Fugate didn’t start the fire 🔥, but that it has always been burning since the world’s been turning 🤔. Welcome all to my new account for public service, community involvement, and politics 🇺🇸. Recently, things got to the point where I felt like my main account had become too focused on politics, so I wanted to switch things up!”
His online profiles, filled with deliberate selfies and stylized portraits—including one in front of the DHS seal with a knowingly raised eyebrow—suggest a young man consciously crafting a public identity with serious political ambition.
Last Thought
Thomas Fugate’s rise from supermarket shifts and gardening gigs to a federal leadership post is both unconventional and attention-grabbing. Whether viewed as a bold shake-up or a controversial leap, his story reflects the unpredictable dynamics of modern political appointments. As Fugate steps into the spotlight at DHS, his future will likely continue to spark debate—about youth in politics, qualifications, and what it means to lead at the highest levels.