Former chief of staff for the Department of Homeland Security Miles Taylor claimed Saturday that he used to “oversee the Secret Service” and that former Vice President Mike Pence’s office had been concerned that he was in danger because former President Donald Trump had turned on him — but Secret Service Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi said that wasn’t exactly so.
Taylor gained notoriety when he was revealed as the author of the “anonymous” op-ed published in The New York Times that attacked the Trump administration from within. In the months since he has declared himself an “ex-Republican” and has continued to attack former President Trump.
“I’m done. I no longer believe the Republican Party can be saved,” he said in mid-May. “The vitriolic rhetoric is inspiring violent radicals. I’m quitting the GOP. And I hope more do the same.
His tweet on Saturday was a response to reports about the January 6th riot on Capitol Hill that indicated Pence’s security team was worried that the Vice President might be in danger because Trump had turned against him.
“I used to oversee the Secret Service. The fact that the Vice President’s Office was worried about danger — from President Trump turning against VP Pence — is both historically unprecedented and terrifying,” Taylor tweeted.
I used to oversee the Secret Service. The fact that the Vice President’s Office was worried about danger — from President Trump turning against VP Pence — is both historically unprecedented & terrifying.
— Miles Taylor (@MilesTaylorUSA) June 4, 2022
But Guglielmi was quick to respond, appearing to argue that the reports were not telling the whole story and saying that the Secret Service was not aware of any such concern or threat.
“Miles, the Secret Service had no knowledge of that conversation according to people with first hand knowledge. At the time, there was never any physical threat of any kind communicated about the Vice President,” he tweeted in response.
Miles, the Secret Service had no knowledge of that conversation according to people with first hand knowledge. At the time, there was never any physical threat of any kind communicated about the Vice President. pic.twitter.com/GGCliFUfwc
— Anthony Guglielmi (@SecretSvcSpox) June 4, 2022
“The grown-ups who actually oversaw the Secret Service are probably dying at this,” Matt Whitlock replied, and Taylor fired back.
“I was the chief of staff of DHS, lol. But I don’t want to deprive you of the bravery that you must feel being a Twitter troll (though I do remember people saying you were a genuinely good staffer). Hope you’re well,” Taylor said.
I was the chief of staff of DHS, lol. But I don’t want to deprive you of the bravery that you must feel being a Twitter troll (though I do remember people saying you were a genuinely good staffer). Hope you’re well.
— Miles Taylor (@MilesTaylorUSA) June 4, 2022
Whitlock made it clear that he was not impressed, replying, “You were a political appointee you didn’t ‘oversee’ anything — please do SOMETHING in your life that doesn’t require resume inflation Miles.”