US President Donald Trump has reportedly picked 22-year-old ex-gardener Thomas Fugate to lead the Centre for Prevention Programs and Partnerships at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Fugate was working as a neighbourhood gardener just five years ago and in a grocery store as recently as August 2023, Daily Beast reported.
Fugate, who graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio just 12 months ago, is currently heading up the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships at the DHS.
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Before becoming a gardener, Fugate worked at an H-E-B supermarket in Austin, Texas, as a "Cross Functional Team Member" while pursuing a degree in politics and law. Since leaving college, he has experienced a rapid ascent in conservative political circles. According to his LinkedIn profile, he served as an “advance team member” for Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
A committed Republican, Fugate also interned at the Heritage Foundation—the organization behind Project 2025—and with Texas Representatives Terry Wilson and Steve Allison.
Fugate was reportedly hired as a “special assistant” in an immigration office at the DHS in February, according to ProPublica. He then took over CP3 after its previous director quit.
“Tom Fugate has performed well in his current role as a Confidential Assistant in our Immigration & Border Security suboffice,” a senior DHS official told The Daily Beast. “Due to his success, he has been temporarily given additional leadership responsibilities in the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships office (CP3). This is a credit to his work ethic and success on the job.”
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Last year, Fugate launched a political-themed Instagram account featuring the motto: “Men used to do great things. I believe they still can.”
His posts include numerous photos from the campaign trail and his time in Washington, D.C. In one video, he appears alongside a range of lesser-known Republican figures, such as disgraced former Congressman Madison Cawthorn, Kennedy Center President Ric Grenell, and MAGA influencer Riley Gaines. He is also seen with Texas Governor Greg Abbott and former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
An older X (formerly Twitter) account under the name Trey Fugate reveals a different side—one that showed an interest in LEGO, Star Wars, and global humanitarian efforts. On that platform, he once urged Texas politicians to “protect the international affairs budget!” and “help the global poor, save lives.”
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That was just two years before he rebranded himself as a MAGA-aligned figure through his thomas4texas Instagram account, announcing: “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!”
Across his social media presence, a steady stream of selfies and posed portraits suggest a carefully curated image. His LinkedIn profile—featuring a photo taken in front of the Department of Homeland Security seal and marked by a wryly arched eyebrow—seems to reflect the self-awareness of a young man who believes he’s bound for the top.
Fugate, who graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio just 12 months ago, is currently heading up the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships at the DHS.
Who is Thomas Fugate?
Acccording to the youngster’s LinkedIn page, Fugate has almost no experience in this field—and in 2020 was working as a self-employed ‘Landscape Business Owner.’ According to his LinkedIn, he would “perform various activities around every department of the store, fulfilling key duties contributing to store operations.”ALSO READ: ESPN anchor Jay Harris reveals he has prostate cancer in somber reveal, shares surgery update
Before becoming a gardener, Fugate worked at an H-E-B supermarket in Austin, Texas, as a "Cross Functional Team Member" while pursuing a degree in politics and law. Since leaving college, he has experienced a rapid ascent in conservative political circles. According to his LinkedIn profile, he served as an “advance team member” for Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign.
A committed Republican, Fugate also interned at the Heritage Foundation—the organization behind Project 2025—and with Texas Representatives Terry Wilson and Steve Allison.
Fugate was reportedly hired as a “special assistant” in an immigration office at the DHS in February, according to ProPublica. He then took over CP3 after its previous director quit.
“Tom Fugate has performed well in his current role as a Confidential Assistant in our Immigration & Border Security suboffice,” a senior DHS official told The Daily Beast. “Due to his success, he has been temporarily given additional leadership responsibilities in the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships office (CP3). This is a credit to his work ethic and success on the job.”
ALSO READ: Will Trump get to pick US Supreme Court justices in his second term?
Last year, Fugate launched a political-themed Instagram account featuring the motto: “Men used to do great things. I believe they still can.”
His posts include numerous photos from the campaign trail and his time in Washington, D.C. In one video, he appears alongside a range of lesser-known Republican figures, such as disgraced former Congressman Madison Cawthorn, Kennedy Center President Ric Grenell, and MAGA influencer Riley Gaines. He is also seen with Texas Governor Greg Abbott and former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
An older X (formerly Twitter) account under the name Trey Fugate reveals a different side—one that showed an interest in LEGO, Star Wars, and global humanitarian efforts. On that platform, he once urged Texas politicians to “protect the international affairs budget!” and “help the global poor, save lives.”
ALSO READ: Health experts sound alarm over terrifying new Covid variant found in US. It's more dangerous than ever
That was just two years before he rebranded himself as a MAGA-aligned figure through his thomas4texas Instagram account, announcing: “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!”
Across his social media presence, a steady stream of selfies and posed portraits suggest a carefully curated image. His LinkedIn profile—featuring a photo taken in front of the Department of Homeland Security seal and marked by a wryly arched eyebrow—seems to reflect the self-awareness of a young man who believes he’s bound for the top.
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