Trump's Government: When Landscapers Run Terror Prevention and Putin's Allies Control Anti-Russia Operations

Three appointments reveal the administration's blueprint: incompetence by design, infiltration by invitation, and revenge as policy

Three key appointments this week expose Trump's governing strategy while revelations about DOGE show how deeply Russian networks have penetrated his administration. A 22-year-old former gardener now runs terrorism prevention. Putin's family network controls anti-Russia operations at the state department. The man who once illegally froze Ukraine aid oversees all Pentagon weapons purchases, and Russian intelligence assets operate inside DOGE with direct access to taxpayer data.

Can He Stop The Next 9/11?

Thomas Fugate

Thomas Fugate may look like his vamping for his high school year book, but this is the official Department of Homeland Security for the new leader of DHS's Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships—the unit responsible for combating terrorism and hate-fueled violence. The kid graduated college twelve months ago. His previous job? Grocery store clerk at H-E-B in Austin.

Michael Duffey

Over at the Pentagon, Michael Duffey just won Senate confirmation as undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment. Duffey's qualification? He's the same official who infamously ordered the illegal freeze on Ukraine military aid during Trump's first term. Now Trump rewards that loyalty by putting Duffey in charge of the very weapons systems Ukraine desperately needs.

Darren Beattie (left)

At State, Darren Beattie controls State Department public diplomacy after systematically dismantling America's $50 million counter-disinformation unit. The reason became clear this week: Beattie married into Putin's inner circle. His wife is the niece of Sergei Chernikov, who built a $150 million fortune in Putin's network and received a personal thank-you letter from Putin for helping bring him to power.