A recent memorandum has been issued to the heads of executive departments and agencies addressing the actions of Miles Taylor, a former administrative staff assistant at the Department of Homeland Security. According to the memorandum, Taylor allegedly betrayed his duties for personal gain by leaking sensitive information and publishing classified conversations under the pseudonym "Anonymous" to promote his book, which is accused of containing falsehoods. The memorandum claims Taylor's actions were designed to undermine government effectiveness, national security, and foreign policy, potentially violating the Espionage Act and rendering him ineligible for access to national secrets.
The memorandum further directs the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence among others to suspend Taylor's active security clearances, as well as those of any entities associated with him, which includes the University of Pennsylvania. It deems this measure necessary pending a review of whether such clearances align with national interests.
Additionally, the Secretary of Homeland Security is tasked with reviewing Taylor’s conduct as a government employee to identify any breaches of the standards for federal employees, including unauthorized dissemination of classified information. Following this review, a report with recommendations for appropriate actions will be submitted to the President.
The memorandum explicitly states it does not create any rights or benefits that are enforceable by any party against the United States or its agencies.
