Executive Summary
The Story So Far
Why This Matters
Who Thinks What?
Miles Taylor, who served as deputy chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security during the first Trump administration, claimed in a recent interview that President Trump privately admired foreign dictators’ capacity for “total control” and suggested Trump’s current rhetoric indicates an interest in authoritarian leadership. Speaking on CNN’s John Berman on Tuesday, Taylor elaborated on his concerns regarding Trump’s past and present statements.
Allegations of Authoritarian Admiration
Taylor asserted that during his time in the administration, Trump would “wax poetic” about foreign dictators, expressing jealousy over their ability to “exert total control over their populations.” He contended that Trump’s recent pronouncements, such as promising “retribution” and threatening to “lock people up” or “send in the troops,” are not jokes and reflect a serious intent.
Trump’s Response to “Dictator” Claims
These comments from Taylor followed a clip of Trump addressing criticism from Democrats who have opposed reports of him considering deploying National Guard troops to Democratic-led cities to address crime. Trump purported to quote his critics saying, “He’s a dictator,” before adding, “A lot of people are saying, ‘Maybe we like a dictator.'” He then denied being a dictator, describing himself as a “man with great common sense and a smart person.”
Background and Investigations
Taylor previously gained prominence for criticizing the Trump administration under the pseudonym “Anonymous,” publishing a New York Times op-ed and a book detailing efforts by some officials to thwart Trump’s impulses. In response, Trump signed a memorandum in April directing the Department of Justice to investigate Taylor and subsequently revoked his security clearance.
Taylor recently voiced concern that he could be targeted next, following an FBI search of the home and office of Trump’s former national security adviser, John Bolton. Trump has denied any involvement or knowledge of the FBI’s search in the Bolton case.
However, Taylor stated in the Tuesday interview that he finds it “really, really hard to believe” that Trump, whom he described as declaring himself the chief law enforcement officer and being “personally invested in the persecution of his critics,” would have been unaware of such an event. A White House spokesperson, Anna Kelly, dismissed Taylor’s criticism in an email to The Hill, responding, “Who is Miles Taylor?”
Conclusion
The claims from Miles Taylor, a former official in the Trump administration, underscore ongoing debates about the former president’s governing style and rhetoric. His assertions about Trump’s admiration for authoritarian control and his current intentions are met with dismissals from the White House, highlighting the contentious political landscape surrounding these discussions.
