Donald Trump quietly dismantled a federal DHS Program that helped local communities prevent extremist violence. As attacks rise, experts warn: we may not be ready for what comes next.
How Trump Wiped Out a DHS Program Fighting Extremist Violence
| Takeaway | Stat |
|---|---|
| DHS program staff cut drastically | Down from ~45 to a “handful” |
| Domestic extremist violence surged | +25% in early 2025 |
| Over 1,100 interventions enabled before cuts | Funded via DHS CVE grants |
Trump’s dismantling of CP3 didn’t just shrink a federal office—it erased a critical part of America’s strategy to stop mass violence before it begins. With extremist attacks rising, what’s left now is a patchwork of local efforts trying to plug a federal hole.
What the DHS Program Did
The Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) was created to stop extremist violence before it started. It was the federal hub for preventing attacks like mass shootings or politically motivated killings by supporting local communities with grants, training, and data.
From 2020 to 2024, CP3 gave out $90 million in grants, helping schools, nonprofits, and local law enforcement identify and disrupt threats. Its work included training hospital staff to spot early signs of radicalization and funding counseling for young people pulled toward extremist ideologies. “It wasn’t flashy work,” one former DHS contractor told me. “But it saved lives.”
The Trump Administration Pulled the Plug
When Trump returned to power in 2025, CP3 quickly became a target. Staff were cut from roughly 45 to what one internal source called “a skeleton crew.” Contractors were laid off, and full-time employees placed on administrative leave after a court battle over their dismissals.
William Braniff, CP3’s director and a respected counterterrorism expert, resigned in March 2025, citing “irreconcilable shifts in mission focus.”
In June, a 22-year-old college senior, Thomas Fugate, was named CP3’s acting director—despite having no counterterrorism or policy experience. The move sparked internal pushback and drew public criticism.
Programs and Data Now Frozen
The administration didn’t just gut staffing. It also stopped funding key research and intervention programs.
That includes the University of Maryland’s National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), which ran a vital national database on hate crimes, domestic terror incidents, and school shootings.
The database, widely used by law enforcement and researchers, documented a 25% increase in extremist attacks in early 2025—just before funding was cut.
Other programs that lost funding include:
- Trauma counseling services for former hate group members
- School-based intervention teams in Michigan and Arizona
- Hospital protocols for reporting radicalized patients
Why This Matters Now
The loss of CP3 has left a gap in America’s homeland defense. While the FBI and DHS still track known terror threats, there’s no longer a central federal effort focused on prevention of violence inspired by ideology.
“We’re flying blind,” said one former senior DHS official. “Threats are growing, and we’ve thrown out our early-warning system.”
Already, the cracks are showing. This spring, a Minnesota lawmaker was assassinated by a man tied to anti-government militia groups. In California, police disrupted a planned bombing by a neo-Nazi cell operating without federal detection.
What Can Be Done?
A few states are stepping up:
- Michigan is rebuilding its state-level counter-extremism office.
- California is launching a hotline for ideological violence threats.
Meanwhile, the University of Maryland is seeking independent funding to restore its extremism tracking program.
Congressional Democrats have introduced a bill to restore CP3 funding and mandate bipartisan oversight. But it’s unlikely to pass the current Republican-led House without cross-aisle support.
FAQs
What was CP3’s mission?
To prevent violence driven by extremist beliefs by funding local interventions and research.
Is CP3 still active?
Only in name. With most staff gone and programs frozen, it’s effectively defunct.
Can Congress reinstate the program?
Yes, but it requires new legislation and funding.
