Ranking Members Thompson & Magaziner Statement on Trump Admin Putting 22-Year-Old with Zero Experience in Charge of DHS Counterterrorism Office

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Ranking Member of the subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, released the following statement on President Trump putting a 22-year-old college graduate and MAGA campaign worker with zero experience in charge of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3):

“There is no valid reason to install a recent college graduate and Trump campaign worker with zero relevant experience to lead a DHS office dedicated to stopping terrorism and violent extremism, unless the intent is to diminish the office’s work. This is not about efficiency or improving programs – the Trump administration wants to undermine CP3 without regard for Americans’ safety.

“DHS defending Fugate’s qualifications when none exist is laughable and only further underlines the Trump administration’s efforts to chip away at the federal government’s domestic terrorism prevention efforts. With domestic terrorism incidents and threats of attacks on the rise, it is unconscionable that Trump and his allies are diminishing an office that helps protect communities. None of this will make America safer.

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