Progressives are in full-scale meltdown over the recent appointment of 22-year-old Thomas Fugate to temporarily lead a key office at the Department of Homeland Security. Once a college student juggling classes and a grocery store job, Fugate now finds himself at the helm of DHS’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3)—and the Left simply can’t stand it.
But behind the outrage lies a deeper truth: the progressive establishment resents anyone who doesn’t climb the ladder through their elite-approved channels.
A Meteoric Rise That Challenges the Establishment Mold
Thomas Fugate’s résumé includes experience as:
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A Trump 2024 advance team member
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An intern at the Heritage Foundation
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A former legislative intern for Texas Reps. Terry Wilson and Steve Allison
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A Confidential Assistant at DHS working in Immigration & Border Security
He also graduated magna cum laude in politics and law from the University of Texas at San Antonio, proving both academic strength and a clear commitment to public service.
His work history—lawn care, grocery retail, and student leadership—tells a different story than the Ivy League-to-Think Tank conveyor belt. And that’s precisely why the Washington elite are fuming.
Why the Left Is Melting Down
The outrage isn’t about national security. It’s about control.
To the D.C. bureaucracy and its media allies, no one should be allowed to lead unless they’ve been groomed through a progressive policy pipeline, passed through the revolving door of nonprofit influence, or absorbed the ideology of legacy institutions. Fugate bypassed all of that—and rose fast—because he aligned with America First values, worked hard, and proved himself in a fast-moving, high-stakes environment.
The media sneering at his time as a grocery store clerk or landscaper says more about their elitism than his competence. Millions of Americans have worked those jobs, and many of them know more about keeping communities safe than any over-credentialed NGO bureaucrat.
A DHS Official Pushes Back
In response to the backlash, a senior DHS official defended Fugate, noting:
“Tom Fugate has performed well in his current role… Due to his success, he has been temporarily given additional leadership responsibilities… This is a credit to his work ethic and success on the job.”
The temporary nature of his role hasn’t stopped the media frenzy. ProPublica and The Daily Beast launched personal attacks, mocking his LinkedIn and using anonymous “experts” to question his ability—while ignoring the office’s ongoing failures under their own preferred leadership.
Trump’s Broader Message
The appointment of Thomas Fugate is part of a larger strategy: replace stagnant careerists with committed, loyal public servants who understand the values of ordinary Americans.
While the Left pushes soft-on-crime policies and redefines “extremism” to mean anyone to the right of MSNBC, the Trump administration is prioritizing leadership that aligns with secure borders, national integrity, and real-world problem solving—not performative résumé building.
Conclusion: Merit, Not Elitism
Thomas Fugate’s story isn’t a scandal. It’s a warning shot across the bow of America’s permanent political class. He may be young. He may not have polished credentials. But he has what matters more: loyalty, work ethic, and real-life perspective.
That’s what the Left fears most.
