
Source: Twitter
Miles Taylor, a former official at the Department of Homeland Security, revealed himself to be the author of a scathing op-ed piece blasting President Donald Trump. Taylor suggested that he and others under Trump’s administration are beginning and will continue to speak out against the former business mogul as a means of a “resistance” from within the White House.
Back in September 2018, Taylor, who wrote under the pen name Anonymous, issued the op-ed piece “I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration” ahead of publishing the book A Warning in November 2019. Now that Taylor’s identity has been revealed, he recently self-published a piece on the Medium platform that further explains the revelation.
From Medium:
History will also record the names of those souls who had everything to lose but stood up anyway, including Trump officials Fiona Hill, Michael McKinley, John Mitnick, Elizabeth Neumann, Bob Shanks, Olivia Troye, Josh Venable, Alexander Vindman, and many more. I applaud their courage. These are not “Deep Staters” who conspired to thwart their boss. Many of them were Trump supporters, and all of them are patriots who accepted great personal risks to speak candidly about a man they’ve seen retaliate and even incite violence against his opponents. (I’ve likewise experienced the cost of condemning the President, as doing so has taken a considerable toll on my job, daily life, marriage, finances, and personal safety.)
These public servants were not intimidated. And you shouldn’t be either. As descendants of revolutionaries, honest dissent is part of our American character, and we must reject the culture of political intimidation that’s been cultivated by this President. That’s why I’m writing this note — to urge you to speak out if you haven’t. While I hope a few more Trump officials will quickly find their consciences, your words are now more important than theirs. It’s time to come forward and shine a light on the discord that’s infected our public discourse. You can speak loudest with your vote and persuade others with your voice. Don’t be afraid of open debate. As I’ve said before, there is no better screen test for truth than to see it audition next to delusion.
The entire piece is worthy of a read and largely explains Taylor’s intentions, and he still declares himself as a member of the Republican Party so this rebuke isn’t fueled by partisan division or differing ideologies.
There was some measurable reaction on social media, namely Twitter, and we’ve got those comments from all sides below. Most especially, a grilling from CNN’s Chris Cuomo, which you’ll see first in the playlist below.
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Photo: Twitter
1.
—@ChrisCuomo to @MilesTaylorUSA: "You lied to us....Why should CNN keep you on the payroll after lying like that?" pic.twitter.com/T4kzZ8zKJM
— Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) October 29, 2020
2.
You have got to be kidding me. Miles Taylor? That’s who the New York Times granted an anonymous editorial article? I’ve seen more exciting reveals in Scooby-Doo episodes.
— Mark Meadows (@MarkMeadows) October 28, 2020
What a monumental embarrassment.
3.
.@PressSec slamming @MilesTaylorUSA: "This low-level, disgruntled former staffer is a liar and a coward who chose anonymity over action and leaking over leading."@MilesTaylorUSA: "Donald Trump is a man without character." https://t.co/q76zd7nxXk pic.twitter.com/c1ooJ0fVWX
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) October 28, 2020
4.
Taylor was chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security. He went public with his Trump criticism in August when he endorsed Joe Biden -- but he is only now revealing that he is "Anonymous" https://t.co/Q8Of5RuqSD
— Jeremy Diamond (@JDiamond1) October 28, 2020
5.
I continue to think both use of and overuse of anonymous sources is something journalists should be reflecting on..now this: The New York Times called ‘Anonymous’ op-ed author Miles Taylor a Trump ‘senior official.’ Was that accurate? https://t.co/6Pd7OwF13V
— Greta Van Susteren (@greta) October 29, 2020
6.
Sweetie, if Miles Taylor is swampy, then your boss is oceanic.https://t.co/W5ogs9PLtG pic.twitter.com/fJa4S7qo8Z
— Tammy WitchyAF (@BluZar) October 29, 2020
7.
Miles Taylor - hardly knew him pic.twitter.com/XFPIfOv3Wv
— David Du Kakas (@goldencell) October 29, 2020
8.
.@MilesTaylorUSA on @CuomoPrimeTime says "The president at one point wanted us to gas, electrify, and shoot migrants at the border...when there was clear shock on the faces of the people in the room, the president said just shoot them in the legs to slow them down"
— Catherine Rampell (@crampell) October 29, 2020
9.
I was never voting for you but after listening to Miles Taylor I cant believe that anyone would want you back in office. You are a truly vile person. https://t.co/wa3p4azGGo
— riadg (@riadg5) October 29, 2020
10.
“...I don’t know him - never even heard of him”. Then you confirmed what we already know - you have mental health issues. And for someone you ‘don’t know’ you sure tweet a lot about him. By the way, there’s more like him all over the WH. #MilesTaylor #TrumpIsDesperate pic.twitter.com/C2TerL3blE
— 𝗠𝘀 𝗗 #Resister🔥 ⛔️NoDM’s (@LuluDowney2) October 29, 2020