President Donald Trump has intensified his campaign against critics by signing memorandums ordering investigations into two former homeland security officials who served in his first administration. The directives, signed on Wednesday, target Miles Taylor and Christopher Krebs, both of whom publicly challenged Trump’s actions and claims during and after their government service.
Sitting in the Oval Office flanked by cabinet members including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Trump signed the orders while accusing both men of misconduct warranting investigation.
Anonymous Author Faces Accusations
Miles Taylor, who served as chief of staff to former Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, gained notoriety in 2018 when he anonymously published a column in The New York Times titled “I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration.” He later published a book under the pseudonym “Anonymous” before revealing his identity in October 2020.
Trump’s memorandum accuses Taylor of leaking classified information and orders the Department of Justice to investigate his activities while stripping him of any active security clearances.
During the signing, Trump claimed he could barely remember Taylor, saying: “I said, who the hell is Miles Taylor? And he made a living on going on CNN talking about the president. And I think what he did – he wrote a book, Anonymous, said all sorts of lies and bad things. I think it’s like a traitor. It’s like spying.”
The president went further, suggesting: “I think he’s guilty of treason, if you want to know the truth, but we’ll find out.”
Taylor Responds to Presidential Action
Taylor responded swiftly on social media, writing on X (formerly Twitter): “I said this would happen. Dissent isn’t unlawful. It certainly isn’t treasonous. America is headed down a dark path. Never has a man so inelegantly proved another man’s point.”
When asked about potential concerns regarding his civil liberties should officials pursue prosecution, Taylor told the press via text message: “Well, if they do that, all Americans should be worried about their own.”
Cybersecurity Chief Also Targeted
Christopher Krebs, who served as director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), also faces investigation under a separate memorandum. Krebs was responsible for coordinating efforts to secure the 2020 presidential election and publicly countered Trump’s claims of voter fraud, stating it was “the most secure in American history.” Trump fired him in November 2020 via Twitter, just days after CISA issued this assessment.
The new memorandum accuses Krebs of weaponising his position against free speech in the context of both the election and the Covid pandemic. It orders the revocation of any security clearances and directs the Justice Department to investigate his activities.
Trump described Krebs as a “wise guy” and “a disgrace,” adding: “So we’ll find out whether or not it was a safe election and, if it wasn’t, he’s got a big price to pay.”
Potential Business Impact
Since leaving government service, Krebs has worked in the private sector, co-founding the cybersecurity consultancy Krebs Stamos Group with former Facebook Chief Security Officer Alex Stamos. The firm was acquired by cybersecurity company SentinelOne in November 2023, where Krebs now serves as chief intelligence and public policy officer.
Trump’s order also mentions revoking security clearances for individuals at SentinelOne pending review. The company responded with a statement indicating they would cooperate with any review of security clearances, which affects fewer than 10 employees, while emphasising they do not expect a material impact on their business.
Part of Broader Executive Actions
The actions against Taylor and Krebs came amid a flurry of executive orders and memoranda signed by Trump during the same Oval Office session. These included initiatives aimed at reviving US shipbuilding, reducing China’s influence in the global shipping industry, and modernising procurement programmes at the Pentagon.
Another order focused on deregulating water pressure from shower heads and household appliances, ending what Trump characterised as the Biden administration’s “war on showers.”
Concerns About Political Retribution
Critics view these actions as fulfilling Trump’s campaign promise of “retribution” against those who opposed him. The use of presidential power to investigate former officials who exercised their right to dissent has raised concerns about potential abuse of the justice system for political purposes.
The memorandums represent a significant escalation in Trump’s approach to dealing with internal critics, moving beyond rhetorical attacks to formal government action. Legal experts will be watching closely to see how the Department of Justice responds to these presidential directives and whether investigations will actually materialise.