As part of a collection of executive orders and directives signed in the Oval Office, Trump released a Presidential Memorandum regarding Krebs, indicating that it “pertains to his access to current government clearances.”
White House staff secretary Will Scharf clarified that the memorandum directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) and “other components” of the federal government “to probe some of the harmful actions” Krebs may have engaged in while serving as CISA director.
“This individual has exploited his authority to undermine free speech within the electoral framework, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Scharf remarked. “This is yet another Presidential Memorandum akin to the one you recently endorsed. It pertains to his access to existing government clearances he may possess and further directs your Department of Justice, along with other branches of your administration, to probe into some of the nefarious activities he engaged in while he was still leading CISA.”
Krebs emerged as a contentious figure following the 2020 presidential election when he refuted claims of fraud and irregularities, asserting that the election was “the most secure in American history,” despite widespread demands for a comprehensive investigation after several anomalies were detected.
Ultimately, Trump terminated his employment due to his public minimization of the issues related to the election. The president characterized the termination as an essential measure for reinstating accountability within the federal government, labeling Krebs as a “fraud” and a “disgrace.”
“I cannot recall if I have met him. I am certain I have, but I did not know him well, and he made statements immediately following the election — which was a fraudulent election, a severely fraudulent election. We performed exceptionally well in that election,” the president remarked.
A fact sheet released by the White House clarified that the Presidential Memorandum “instructs the leader of each federal agency to promptly revoke any existing security clearance held by Krebs.” Furthermore, agencies were also instructed to suspend “any existing security clearance held by individuals and entities linked to Krebs, including SentinelOne, pending an evaluation of whether such clearances align with national interests.”
The directive also instructs the Department of Justice to conduct an investigation into Krebs and Taylor, the latter of whom had openly claimed to be at the forefront of “the resistance” during the president’s initial term.
Regarding Taylor, the order explicitly refers to any security clearances awarded to individuals at the University of Pennsylvania, where Taylor serves as a lecturer, “pending a review of whether such clearances are in accordance with the national interest.”
In 2018, an op-ed published by the New York Times featured an “anonymous” “senior administration official” who accused the Trump administration of wrongdoing and asserted that they were actively working to subvert the president’s agenda from within. This author was later identified in 2020 as Taylor, who transitioned to a political analyst role at CNN after departing from the administration.
Trump remarked, “I think he’s guilty of treason if you want to know the truth,” while signing the order related to Taylor.
In terms of election security, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard disclosed during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Thursday that U.S. intelligence agencies possess “evidence” indicating that electronic voting systems are vulnerable and can be hacked to “manipulate” the outcomes.
“We possess an extensive list of matters under investigation. Our team comprises the most qualified individuals addressing this issue. Election integrity is among these concerns. We have gathered evidence indicating that these electronic voting systems have been susceptible to hacking for an extended period and are at risk of exploitation to alter the outcomes of the votes cast,” Gabbard stated.
