Trump orders investigations into 2 DHS officials from his first term
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President Donald Trump displays a signed executive order in the Oval Office of the White House on Wednesday. Photo: Chris Kleponis/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images.
President Trump has revoked the security clearances belonging to former CISA leader Chris Krebs and ex-DHS official Miles Taylor and ordered investigations into the work they did while in public service.
Why it matters: The move is the latest in Trump's full-throttle attack on his perceived political enemies.
Zoom in: The order calls for the Department of Justice to investigate both officials' activities as government employees and also temporarily revokes the clearances held by any of their known associates.
- For Taylor, the order specifically calls out any security clearance for individuals at the University of Pennsylvania, where Taylor is a lecturer, "pending a review of whether such clearances are consistent with the national interest," according to the White House.
- For Krebs, the security clearances include any given to staff at cybersecurity company SentinelOne, where Krebs currently works.
- Krebs' DOJ investigation will include "a comprehensive evaluation of all of CISA's activities over the last 6 years and will identify any instances where Krebs' or CISA's conduct appears to be contrary to the administration's commitment to free speech and ending federal censorship," according to the order.
Catch up quick: Taylor served as the chief of staff to Homeland Security Secretary during the first Trump administration and later detailed his concerns in a damning New York Times' op-ed and book under the pen name "Anonymous."
- "I think he's guilty of treason if you want to know the truth," Trump said while signing Taylor's order.
Meanwhile, Trump fired Krebs by tweet after he factchecked the president and publicly said that the 2020 election was the "most secure in American history."
- Trump called Krebs a "wise guy," as well as a "fraud" and "a disgrace" during Wednesday's signing.
What they're saying: "I said this would happen," Taylor wrote in an X post after the signing. "Dissent isn't unlawful."
- "It certainly isn't treasonous," he added. "America is headed down a dark path. Never has a man so inelegantly proved another man's point."
- SentinelOne said in a statement Wednesday evening that it will "actively cooperate in any review of security clearances," but noted that fewer than 10 employees have them.
- "We view the White House as a crucial collaborator," the company added, "and we will continue to support a strong America at a time of heightened geopolitical threats."
- CISA referred all questions to the White House.
The big picture: In the first months of his second term, Trump has taken unprecedented actions against his perceived political enemies, including law firms, politicians, former intelligence officers and more.
- The latest moves are sure to spur outrage across the cybersecurity and national security communities, in which both Krebs and Taylor are highly respected.
Go deeper: Trump's overflowing grudge list
Editor's note: This story has been updated with a statement from SentinelOne.
