By Steve Neavling
Miles Taylor, a former Homeland Security chief of staff and vocal Trump critic, is calling on federal watchdogs to investigate an order by Donald Trump directing an inquiry into Taylor’s past government service, the Associated Press reports.
The April 9 memo, titled “Addressing Risks Associated with an Egregious Leaker and Disseminator of Falsehoods,” accused Taylor of spreading lies to promote his books and instructed federal agencies to investigate him and revoke his security clearances. Taylor, who anonymously penned a 2018 New York Times op-ed as part of a self-described internal “resistance” to Trump, later revealed his identity and wrote two books warning about Trump’s return to power.
“This sets a really scary precedent,” Taylor told the AP. “The president can now order an investigation into any private citizen or critic.”
Taylor’s attorney, Abbe Lowell, said the order violates Taylor’s First and Fifth Amendment rights and called it “political retribution.” In a letter to inspectors general, Lowell argued the memo targets Taylor not for any crime, but for speaking out. He warned the investigation has led to harassment and harmed former colleagues.
The White House dismissed Taylor’s complaint, calling him a “bad-faith actor” who sought fame and profit by disclosing sensitive information.
