In Washington, a former official from the Department of Homeland Security, who previously served under President Donald Trump’s initial administration and penned a critical anonymous op-ed, is urging independent government watch entities to initiate an investigation after President Trump mandated an inquiry into his government service.
Miles Taylor, who was the chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security, shared his concerns during an interview about the significant implications of Trump’s April 9 memorandum, entitled “Addressing Risks Associated with an Egregious Leaker and Disseminator of Falsehoods.” The document accuses Taylor of fabricating tales to promote his book and instructs several governmental bodies to scrutinize his past services and revoke any security accesses.
Taylor reached out by email to the inspectors general of the Justice and Homeland Security departments, seeking intervention. However, his complaint was swiftly disregarded by the White House, dismissing him as a “bad-faith actor.”
This memorandum follows another command by Trump on April 9 to investigate Chris Krebs, a previous senior cybersecurity official, demonstrating Trump’s strategy of utilizing presidential power to challenge his adversaries. Taylor remarked on the concerning nature of such measures and hence involved the inspectors general to probe the situation.
“I have not committed any crime, which makes this scenario extraordinary. Normally, individuals are aware of the charges against them, but in my case, there’s no known crime since I didn’t commit one,” Taylor stated, emphasizing the alarming precedent wherein the president could unjustly target any private citizen or critic.
Since retaking office, Trump has been known to revoke security clearances from several foes. The investigations into Taylor and Krebs signify a heightened level of retaliatory actions during his second term. Krebs was removed from his position leading the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency for contesting Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud in 2020, a race won by Democrat Joe Biden.
Taylor departed from the Trump administration in 2019. In 2018, he penned an anonymous op-ed in the New York Times, unveiling himself as part of a “resistance” endeavoring to counter Trump’s “misguided impulses.” This revelation prompted a leak investigation within Trump’s earlier administration.
Following the op-ed, Taylor released a book under the same title and later published another work, “Blowback,” under his name, warning of Trump’s potential return to power. After the issuance of the April 9 memorandum, Trump accused Taylor of “treason.”
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson accused Taylor on Tuesday, saying that he inappropriately exposed sensitive details and did not merit holding a security clearance. Jackson described Taylor as a manipulator who exploited his position for personal ambition and gain, forsaking his constitutional duties.
Taylor’s attorney, in his communication to the inspectors general, labeled Trump’s actions as unmatched in American history. He asserted that the memorandum failed to pinpoint any misconduct and instead solely targeted Taylor for criticizing the President.
Attorney Abbe Lowell explained that their aim was to compel the administration to act justly. Depending on the response to their grievances, they might consider further measures, including a possible lawsuit. Lowell has recently established his legal practice to represent individuals affected by Trump’s retaliatory actions.
The letter addressed to the inspectors general alleges First Amendment rights violations, arguing that the memo penalizes Taylor for his candid critique of the President, illustrating it as malicious prosecution. Moreover, it contends that the memorandum infringes upon Taylor’s due process rights under the Fifth Amendment.
Emphasizing Taylor’s honorable service, the letter recounts his receipt of the Distinguished Service Medal and outlines the repercussions following the April 9 memorandum on Taylor’s personal and professional life, including threats and harassment. His involvement with former colleagues led to job losses for them due to their association with him.
Taylor shared in the interview that the orders have caused chaos in their lives. From establishing a defense fund for legal expenses to having his wife return to work, the memo has severely impacted their daily lives. Moreover, their residence was disclosed online, leading to further distress.
By presenting these complaints, Taylor anticipates heightened scrutiny and pressure on his family. Reflecting on their choices since April 9, they concluded that remaining passive was not an option.
“The alternative is silence, succumbing, and effectively conveying that there are no repercussions for the administration’s misuse of power, which many legal scholars and my team perceive as unconstitutional and unlawful,” Taylor stated.