US President Donald Trump has launched unprecedented Justice Department investigations into two former senior officials from his own previous administration, including one he accused of committing “treason.”
The officials in question are Miles Taylor, a former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) staffer, and Christopher Krebs, who previously led the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Both men have also been stripped of their security clearances.
Taylor made headlines in 2018 when he authored an anonymous opinion piece in The New York Times criticising Trump’s leadership. In the article, published under the pseudonym “Anonymous,” Taylor wrote, “The root of the problem is the president’s amorality,” and accused Trump of making “half-baked, ill-informed and occasionally reckless decisions.”
Taylor later revealed himself as the author after leaving the administration and went on to publish a book entitled A Warning.
During a White House ceremony on Wednesday, Staff Secretary Will Scharf accused Taylor of leaking classified information during his time at DHS and of making “outrageous claims” about the Trump administration.
Scharf said the presidential memorandum signed by Trump would direct the Justice Department to investigate Taylor’s actions, stating: “We’ll see what else might come up in that context.”
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump went further in his condemnation of Taylor, accusing him of dishonesty and likening his actions to espionage.
“I think it’s like a traitor, it’s like spying,” said Trump. “We’re going to find out whether or not somebody is allowed to do that. I think it’s a very important case and I think he’s guilty of treason, if you want to know the truth. But we’ll find out.”
Taylor responded to the announcement on social media platform X, writing: “Dissent isn’t unlawful. It certainly isn’t treasonous. America is headed down a dark path.”
Trump also took aim at Christopher Krebs, whom he sacked in November 2020 after Krebs publicly declared the US election that year was the “most secure in American history” and found no credible evidence of fraud.
Scharf said the new presidential directive concerning Krebs calls on the Justice Department and other agencies to investigate his alleged “malign acts.”
Trump sharply criticised Krebs, referencing his past statements about the integrity of the election.
“This guy, Krebs, was saying, ‘Oh, the election was great. It was great,’” Trump said. “Well, it’s been proven that it was not only not great — it was a very corrupt election.
“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, and he’s a bad guy.”
Since returning to the presidency in January, Trump has systematically gone after several former officials he considers political enemies. This includes revoking their security clearances or removing personal security protection.
However, this appears to be the first occasion on which Trump has directed the Justice Department—traditionally an independent institution—to initiate formal investigations against his political opponents, a move that marks a striking departure from convention.
Trump, now the first convicted felon to serve as US president, has also reportedly sought to settle scores with major law firms involved in prosecuting or representing those who brought civil or criminal actions against him in recent years.
