Americans shocked after realising who is in charge of counterterrorism for Homeland Security

In light of the US' new terror alert following Donald Trump's 'total obliteration' of three Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend, many Americans are only just learning who their 'head of counterterrorism' is. And by the sound of things, many have given up hope already.

For those out of the loop with this weekend's alarming attack, on Sunday (22 Jun), 79-year-old Trump 'totally obliterated' nuclear bases in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan in Iran. The week prior, the country had also been subjected to mass missile attacks from Israel.

Though the President initially set a two-week window to make a decision regarding potential political intervention in the Middle East, it has since emerged that he acted in response to a sleeper-cell terror threat made by Iran.

Naturally, being that Iran had already warned the Republican that America's involvement 'would be a recipe for an all-out war in the region', the terror threat level in America has been ramped up in response.

Trump bombed three different areas of Iran over the weekend (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

And as such, many US citizens have been left in fear of an attack at any moment.

That said, however, the Department of Homeland Security has since come under fire from a group of online critics, who have since discovered the identity of the man in charge of counterterrorism - 22-year-old Thomas C. Fugate.

Despite only having graduated from university last year - after which he worked as an intern at the Heritage Foundation - he was appointed to the director of the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships position earlier this year by Trump.

Fugate had previously worked as a special assistant' at the Department of Homeland Security, during which he also worked on the Donald Trump 2024 presidential campaign and attended the 2024 Republican National Convention.

Taking aim at the youngster's lack of experience in the vital terror-related position this week, one concerned US citizen hit out on social media: "Just a reminder this 22-year old kid is in charge of counterterrorism at the Department of Homeland Security.

"He's a former grocery store clerk and gardener."

Fugate is just 22 (US Homeland Security)

After one Republican wrote back, recommending America judges Fugate 'on his results', a third clapped back: "Are you out of your mind?

"If you were having open heart surgery and the guy with the scalpel said 'look, I've never done surgery before, but I worked at a grocery store a year ago and did a great job there' - would you still be ok judging him on his results?"

"What do they see in these people? Is it unquestionable loyalty? Or something else?" another asked, to which the original poster replied: "I'm guessing a combination of donor money, favors and loyalty."

"How does he find his people? Craig's list?" joked a fifth.

This isn't the first time that Fugate has faced criticism over his high-rank position.

After ProPublica discovered that the Republican's LinkedIn profile admits that the vast majority of his 'experience' is from a model United Nations club, the Department of Homeland Security defended his appointment, citing his impressive work ethic.