Former ‘Anonymous’ Author Launches Legal Challenge Against Trump Over Memo Targeting Him

Miles Taylor, a former Department of Homeland Security official who was accused of “treasonous” behavior by President Donald Trump, has filed an Inspectors General complaint challenging Trump’s use of federal power to investigate him. Taylor claims the order is an “unconstitutional” attack on a citizen for expressing dissent, not for committing a crime.

Taylor, who served as chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security during Trump’s first term, is requesting that federal watchdogs at the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice investigate whether their departments are being used to punish dissent through Trump’s April 9 memo, which initiated an investigation into Taylor.

Taylor stated that “the real harm” will occur if Trump’s aides are allowed to continue these revenge investigations without being stopped. He believes that this would set a precedent for the current or any future president to investigate anyone they choose.

Taylor anonymously authored a widely read titled “I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration,” which led to a leak investigation at the White House. Soon after, Taylor left the Administration and published a 2019 book anonymously, detailing his observations during Trump’s first term. He later revealed himself as the author and publicly campaigned against Trump’s reelection.

Taylor’s recent complaint focuses on presidential memorandums Trump signed in April, singling out Taylor and Chris Krebs, another former official from Trump’s first term who publicly disputed Trump’s false claims of widespread voter fraud after the 2020 election. Both Taylor and Krebs had their security clearances revoked.

The memos represent a significant escalation in Trump’s post-reelection efforts to use his office’s power to punish those he perceived as enemies. Trump suggested that Taylor may have violated the Espionage Act and committed treason, a crime that carries the death penalty. Trump stated in the Oval Office when signing the memo that he believed Taylor was “guilty of treason.”

When questioned about whether his memos calling for investigations into his critics were an appropriate use of presidential power and whether they contradicted his claims that former President Joe Biden had weaponized the government against him, Trump avoided the question. He stated that he often had people from agencies or offices standing behind those he was speaking to, and he felt that they acted like they were experts on him. He also said he knew very little about Chris Krebs but thought he was “very deficient.”

Taylor mentioned in his TIME op-ed that Trump is following through on his previous promises to punish him for speaking out. Taylor wrote that this is bigger than him and is about whether the public will allow any president, regardless of political party, to criminalize criticism and that is why the Inspector General complaint matters.

Inspectors General are independent watchdogs within federal departments responsible for uncovering waste, fraud, abuse, and violations of the law. By filing a complaint with the oversight bodies responsible for policing misconduct within the government, Taylor aims to initiate a formal investigation into whether federal agencies are being used to serve the President’s personal political agenda.

Although Inspectors General lack enforcement power, their findings can lead to internal discipline, referrals to the Justice Department, or congressional review. Trump fired over a dozen Inspectors General shortly into his second term.

Taylor’s complaint asks the Inspectors General at the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice to determine if Trump’s memo is being used to initiate a politically motivated investigation into him as retaliation for public dissent. He urged them to act now and stated that DHS and DOJ watchdogs have a responsibility to investigate whether their departments are being misused to punish dissent, whether federal employees are violating constitutional rights, and whether this abuse of power is the start of something much worse.

Taylor and his legal team argue that Trump’s memo is “unconstitutional” and that the President’s directive is an “unprecedented” use of the executive branch to target a private citizen for exercising free speech.

Taylor wrote that Trump’s memo has disrupted his personal and professional life, forcing him to leave his job because the “blacklisting” prevents him from doing his work and exposing his family to harassment and doxxing by Trump supporters. He added that a top Homeland Security official was even fired for attending his wedding.

Taylor concluded that the current moment will test democracy for ages.

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