Trump Targets Miles Taylor With Security Clearance Order \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday revoking security clearances from ex-DHS official Miles Taylor and directing the DOJ to investigate him. Taylor, who authored a critical op-ed and book about Trump’s presidency, is accused by Trump of “treason.” Taylor called the move proof of Trump’s intent to punish dissent.
Quick Looks
- Trump signed an executive order revoking Miles Taylor’s security clearances.
- Taylor, former DHS chief of staff, authored an anonymous op-ed and book criticizing Trump.
- DOJ has been ordered to investigate Taylor’s actions during his government service.
- Trump called Taylor’s book “a work of fiction” and labeled him “guilty of treason.”
- The move breaks longstanding norms separating presidential power from criminal probes.
- Taylor responded, calling the action “proof” of Trump’s vengeful use of power.
- White House staff confirmed the order is based on unspecified “past activities.”
- Critics warn of the precedent this action sets for presidential authority.
Deep Look
In a move that breaks with decades of established presidential norms, President Donald Trump signed a sweeping executive order on Wednesday, targeting a former official from his own first-term administration. The order strips ex-Homeland Security chief of staff Miles Taylor of any remaining security clearances and directs the Department of Justice to investigate his actions during the Trump administration—despite no formal accusations of criminal wrongdoing.
The executive order, signed during a brief Oval Office ceremony, marks an unprecedented use of executive power to direct criminal investigatory resources toward a former government official who has publicly criticized the president. It raises concerns among legal experts about the erosion of the traditional wall separating the presidency from the Department of Justice’s prosecutorial independence.
Taylor, a Republican who served in senior positions under both the Trump and George W. Bush administrations, first gained notoriety in 2018 when he authored a now-infamous anonymous New York Times op-ed. In the piece, he described a coordinated effort by officials within the Trump administration to contain what he called the president’s most dangerous impulses. He later revealed himself to be the author and published a best-selling book, A Warning, under the same anonymous moniker, deepening his public criticism of Trump.
Trump lashed out at Taylor during the signing, calling A Warning “a work of fiction” and blasting CNN for hiring Taylor as a contributor after he revealed his identity. Speaking alongside Trump, White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf justified the executive action by accusing Taylor of “past activities involving classified information”—although he conceded that none of Taylor’s public writings have been found to include classified content.
“This order strips Taylor of any active clearance he may still hold,” Scharf said. “It also orders the DOJ to investigate his activities, to see what else might come up in that context, given his egregious behavior during your previous administration.”
Trump went further in his own comments, suggesting that Taylor may be guilty of “treason,” a charge without legal grounding but carrying significant rhetorical weight.
“I think it’s a very important case,” Trump said. “And I think he’s guilty of treason, if you want to know the truth—but we’ll find out.”
Critics argue the move is a clear example of Trump using presidential powers to pursue personal grievances, particularly against individuals who have spoken out against him. The targeting of Taylor—whose writings emphasized Trump’s willingness to sideline democratic norms—has been described by some as chillingly ironic.
Taylor responded swiftly, telling The Independent in a text message that Trump’s actions only confirm his prior warnings.
“Dissent isn’t unlawful. It certainly isn’t treasonous. America is headed down a dark path,” Taylor wrote.
“Never has a man so inelegantly proved another man’s point.”
Taylor had long warned that Trump, if returned to power, would weaponize the federal government against his critics. His second book, published in 2023, detailed concerns about Trump’s potential use of the Justice Department to exact political revenge—a prophecy that appears to be playing out in real time.
The executive order also raises new alarm bells among national security and legal experts, who note that security clearances are typically revoked through an administrative process, not political decree. Presidents have traditionally avoided direct involvement in revocation or enforcement decisions tied to past officials to preserve the integrity of intelligence protocols and prevent politicization.
That firewall now appears weakened. The order’s directive for a DOJ investigation further blurs the line between presidential authority and the impartial administration of justice, creating a potential constitutional flashpoint.
It is unclear how the Department of Justice will respond. The agency, which under prior administrations has worked to maintain independence from White House pressure, has not publicly commented on the directive. Legal analysts expect the investigation, if initiated, to be closely scrutinized by Congress and civil liberties groups.
For now, Trump’s order sends a clear message: those who cross him—especially from within his own ranks—can expect repercussions. Whether this is the beginning of a broader campaign against dissenting former officials or a singular act of reprisal remains to be seen. Either way, it is already being viewed as a sharp departure from historical precedent—and a potential warning of things to come.
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