End Presidential Revenge

Background

In April 2025, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order directing federal agencies to investigate Miles Taylor, the former Department of Homeland Security official who revealed himself in 2020 as the anonymous author of a 2018 New York Times op-ed criticizing Trump’s leadership.

The action represented an extraordinary escalation: using the power of the federal government to target a private citizen for previous political dissent. Legal experts condemned the move as retaliatory and unconstitutional, while Taylor faced growing threats to his safety, livelihood, and legal security.

But the threat extended beyond one individual. Whistleblowers, former government officials, attorneys, journalists, nonprofit leaders, and others who challenged presidential power could potentially face similar retaliation. Taylor’s case underscored the need for both an immediate legal defense and a broader effort to protect those targeted for speaking out.

Catalyst

Catalyst Campaigns worked with Miles Taylor to identify the fastest and most credible way to respond. Instead of creating a new organization and duplicating infrastructure, Catalyst partnered with Whistleblower Aid, an established 501(c)(3) already defending whistleblowers and democratic institutions, to provide the legal and nonprofit framework for the effort.

Together, the partners launched the End Presidential Revenge legal defense fund, creating a vehicle to help cover legal and security expenses for Taylor and others facing federal retaliation.

Moving quickly in response to the escalating threat, Catalyst developed the campaign’s brand, messaging, digital strategy, and website. EndPresidentialRevenge.org was designed, developed, and launched in less than a week, giving the effort an immediate public identity and a central platform for educating the public, building support, and raising resources.

The campaign turned Taylor’s individual experience into a broader call to defend Americans targeted for speaking out, built around a straightforward democratic principle: No president should be able to weaponize the federal government to punish perceived enemies.

Outcome

End Presidential Revenge transformed an unprecedented act of retaliation against Miles Taylor into a broader effort to defend whistleblowers, dissent, and the rule of law.

By bringing together Taylor, Whistleblower Aid, and other allies around a shared campaign, Catalyst helped establish the legal defense fund, create a recognizable public identity, and build a digital platform capable of generating awareness and financial support.

The effort demonstrated how strategic partnerships, existing organizational infrastructure, and rapid campaign development can provide an immediate response to a political crisis while creating a foundation to support others who may face similar retaliation.

Services Provided

Branding & Messaging • Coalition Building • Digital Strategy • Fundraising Strategy • Partnership Development • Strategic Communications • Website Development