- Trump orders DOJ investigations into ex-DHS official Miles Taylor and cybersecurity chief Chris Krebs
- Security clearance revocations follow 2020 election security disputes and critical tell-all book
- Presidential memoranda target law firm Susman Godfrey for defending Dominion Voting Systems
- Experts warn of chilling effect on federal whistleblowers and election administration
The White House escalated its crackdown on political adversaries Wednesday through unprecedented use of executive authority. President Trump signed memoranda authorizing Justice Department investigations into two former administration officials while revoking their access to classified information. This move marks the administration's most aggressive action against internal critics since Trump's return to office.
Miles Taylor, former Department of Homeland Security chief of staff, drew Trump's ire after revealing himself as the anonymous author of a 2018 New York Times op-ed criticizing the president. The administration claims Taylor's disclosures about White House discussions violated confidentiality agreements. Legal analysts note no existing statutes prevent former officials from publishing unclassified memoirs after leaving government service.
Cybersecurity infrastructure director Chris Krebs faces retaliation for his November 2020 statement declaring the presidential election the most secure in American history.Krebs' CISA team identified just 23 potentially fraudulent ballots out of 14.6 million votes cast in Georgia - a 0.00015% irregularity rate. Despite this evidence, Trump continues alleging widespread fraud while punishing officials who contradicted his claims.
The administration's targeting of law firm Susman Godfrey reveals expanding retaliation tactics. The Texas-based firm represented Dominion Voting Systems in its $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News, which settled for $787 million. Trump's order blocks Susman attorneys from federal buildings - an unprecedented restriction on private legal practitioners.
Presidential historian Douglas Brinkley compares these actions to Nixon's 1971 enemies list, telling AP: We're witnessing weaponization of security protocols against political critics. The executive branch wasn't designed for personal vendettas.Federal employment data shows security clearance revocations increased 412% since 2022, disproportionately affecting officials involved in election oversight.
Regional impacts emerged in Colorado where Dominion Voting Systems maintains its US headquarters. The company's $1.6 billion lawsuit against Newsmax over election fraud claims continues in Denver federal court. Legal experts cite this case as critical for establishing boundaries between free speech and defamation in election reporting.
Former Justice Department attorney David Becker warns the administration's actions threaten election security infrastructure: Krebs built CISA to protect voting systems from foreign interference. Undermining nonpartisan experts risks leaving vulnerabilities unaddressed before November.CISA's budget allocations show 38% funding reductions for state election security grants since 2022.
The White House maintains these measures protect classified information integrity. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated: Individuals violating confidentiality agreements must face consequences.However, government transparency advocates note no current litigation exists against Taylor or Krebs for alleged information breaches.
As legal challenges mount, constitutional scholars emphasize separation of powers concerns. Yale Law professor Bruce Ackerman notes: Congress never authorized presidents to unilaterally strip security clearances as punishment. This creates dangerous precedent for executive overreach.House Oversight Committee leaders announced plans to review the memoranda's legality next week.