WASHINGTON (AP) — After layoffs affected probationary staffers, a federal program in the United States aimed at preventing targeted violence and terrorism has seen a 20% reduction in its workforce. The Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships was established as a revised version of initiatives created post the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks to identify individuals who may present new threats of terrorism or violence, and intervene to prevent tragedies by providing them with assistance. The program’s mission involves engaging parents, coaches, teachers, and ministers to proactively address potential issues by training them to recognize warning signs in advance.
The task has become more challenging following the dismissal of eight staff members in early March as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to streamline the government by eliminating probationary employees. Despite being rehired later, they were subsequently placed on administrative leave in response to court decisions on March 13 instructing the administration to reinstate the terminated probationary staffers. The administration has indicated its intention to challenge these rulings. For fear of retribution, the staffers shared this information anonymously.
The director of the center, William Braniff, acknowledged the terminations and expressed his decision to resign alongside the affected staffers, noting the critical role of the center in preventing terrorism and targeted violence. The center, commonly referred to as CP3, has witnessed a surge in demand for its services, with an increasing number of states collaborating to develop strategies to address violence and prevent terrorism.
Former social workers, mental health professionals, and state public health officials were among the terminated employees. Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin stated that the Trump administration is leading an initiative to make substantial cuts and reforms to eliminate waste and inefficiency in the federal government. She emphasized the department’s commitment to supporting law enforcement and public safety through various means.
Tom Warrick, a former Homeland Security counterterrorism official, highlighted the center’s efforts to proactively identify individuals at risk of violence and guide them towards help through community health programs, irrespective of their ideology or motivation. The center, established in 2021 under the Biden administration, has been commended for its innovative work in preventing violent incidents and attacks.
“He emphasized the need to expand the program rather than reduce it,” he mentioned. The grants offer financial support to various entities such as state, local, tribal, and territorial governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions. Their goal is to help establish or enhance their own initiatives to combat targeted violence and terrorism. This center was established in place of the Office for Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention established during the Trump administration, itself a replacement for the Obama-era program known as Countering Violent Extremism. Previous versions of the program faced criticism for unfairly singling out Muslim and minority communities, with concerns raised about the difficulty of measuring its effectiveness. Spencer Reynolds, senior counsel at the Brennan Center’s Liberty and National Security Program, noted that some of these concerns persist. The Brennan Center has long expressed reservations about the program’s protection of civil liberties. Despite efforts to involve public health providers, Reynolds believes there is still an excessive focus on law enforcement. Last year, the center granted $18 million to 35 recipients, including $700,000 to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in Florida to enhance community awareness of behaviors indicating potential violence. Additionally, $344,982 was allocated to the Southwest Texas Fusion Center to expand its behavioral threat assessment and management team in southwest Texas counties, aiding schools in reducing violence.
