WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal program aimed at preventing targeted violence and terrorism in the United States has seen a loss of 20% of its staff due to layoffs affecting probationary employees. The Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships was established as a revamped version of initiatives formed after the September 11, 2001, attacks to identify individuals who might pose terrorism threats or carry out violence, with the goal of intervening early to prevent tragedies. The center’s mission involves engaging parents, coaches, teachers, and ministers to proactively address potential trouble by training them to recognize warning signs in advance.
The task became significantly more challenging after eight members of the center’s staff were dismissed in early March as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to streamline the government by removing probationary employees. Following two court rulings on March 13 ordering the administration to rehire the terminated probationary staff, the employees were rehired but subsequently placed on administrative leave. The administration has expressed its intention to challenge the rulings. For fear of reprisal, the staffers requested anonymity.
In a statement to The Associated Press, the center’s director confirmed the terminations. William Braniff, nearing the end of his tenure as director, decided to resign alongside the terminated staffers to support them and the center, noting that other agencies and departments had rehired staff in critical roles once they understood the repercussions of the terminations. Braniff highlighted the significant demand for CP3’s services, emphasizing its role in terrorism prevention and its effectiveness in addressing school shootings.
Formerly consisting of over 40 members, many located in Washington, D.C., the center’s staff included social workers, mental health professionals, and state public health officials. The Department of Homeland Security stated that President Trump’s administration is prioritizing cuts and reforms to eliminate waste and inefficiency, focusing on supporting law enforcement and public safety through funding, training, awareness, and partnerships.
Tom Warrick, a former Homeland Security counterterrorism official now with the Atlantic Council, praised the center’s work under the Biden administration for its innovative approach in identifying and assisting individuals before they resort to violence, irrespective of ideology. He emphasized the center’s significant impact in averting shootings and attacks.
Overall, the CP3 program faces challenges following the staff reductions, but remains committed to its critical mission of preventing targeted violence and terrorism in the United States.
“It is essential to expand the program rather than reduce it,” he stated. The grants offer financial support to state, local, tribal, and territorial entities, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions to help them establish or enhance their initiatives aimed at addressing targeted violence and terrorism. This center succeeded the Office for Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention established during the Trump administration, which had replaced the Obama-era program known as Countering Violent Extremism. Previous versions of the program faced criticism for disproportionately targeting Muslim and minority communities, and critics argued that assessing the effectiveness of the program was challenging. While some of these concerns persist, Spencer Reynolds, senior counsel at the Brennan Center’s Liberty and National Security Program, noted that the center has consistently raised issues regarding the program’s protection of civil liberties. Despite efforts to involve public health professionals, there remains a heavy reliance on law enforcement, according to Reynolds. Last year, the center allocated $18 million in grants to 35 recipients. For instance, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in Florida received $700,000 to enhance community awareness of potential signs of violent behavior. Another grant of $344,982 was provided to the Southwest Texas Fusion Center to expand its behavioral threat assessment and management team, extending its coverage to more counties in southwest Texas and assisting schools in violence prevention efforts.
