Executive director of the Office of Trade Relations at Customs and Border Protection, George Bogden, was dismissed in early April 2025 due to his ties to Miles Taylor, who penned a scathing 2018 anonymous op-ed against President Donald Trump.
The Washington Post reported that the decision shocked some administration officials, revealing the depth of Trump’s resolve to root out perceived disloyalty. The White House’s action against Bogden stems from his association with Taylor, a former Department of Homeland Security official.
Taylor’s 2018 New York Times piece, titled “I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration,” criticized Trump’s leadership. Bogden’s dismissal marks the first known instance of a Trump official being terminated over connections to Taylor.
Bogden, appointed to his CBP role in 2025, was a key figure in advancing Trump’s tariff policies. He collaborated with private shipping companies and government officials to implement new import duties.
His work focused on clarifying the administration’s trade agenda, which Trump has championed as vital for boosting federal revenue and restoring American manufacturing.
Bogden’s connection to Taylor surfaced through social ties, including his attendance at Taylor’s 2019 wedding in Jamaica. A Facebook photo from the event circulated among Trump officials, raising suspicions. Bogden also attended Taylor’s second wedding in 2023, further linking him to the controversial figure.
Few in Trump’s circle, including Bogden, knew Taylor authored the 2018 op-ed at the time of its publication or even by the 2019 wedding. Taylor publicly revealed his identity as the author in 2020. This revelation later fueled the administration’s scrutiny of those associated with him.
The White House confirmed that Bogden’s resignation was directly tied to his relationship with Taylor. An administration official stated that the decision reflected Trump’s directive to address perceived threats from within.
This move aligns with broader actions against Taylor and others, including former Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency director Christopher Krebs.
In April 2025, Trump ordered the Justice Department to investigate Taylor and Krebs. He also revoked the security clearances of both men and individuals linked to Taylor’s associated entities. These steps signal a concerted effort to neutralize critics from his first term.
Taylor’s actions after 2018 amplified his status as a target. He published a 2019 book critiquing Trump’s first term and actively campaigned against Trump’s reelection in 2020. The White House, in a statement, accused Taylor of betraying public service by leaking sensitive information and fostering dissent.
“Taylor stoked dissension by manufacturing sensationalist reports on the existence of a supposed ‘resistance’ within the Federal Government,” the White House declared in April 2025. The statement further criticized Taylor for undermining a sitting president. Neither the White House nor Taylor commented directly on Bogden’s dismissal.
Before his ousting, Bogden was deeply engaged in shaping Trump’s trade vision. He advocated for “revenue dominance,” a concept aimed at maximizing federal income through tariffs. In internal memos and meetings, he pushed for a unified message to clarify the purpose of these duties for businesses and shippers.
Bogden’s expertise in customs law earned him praise from allies. “He is incredibly sharp and has a deep knowledge of the intricacies of customs law,” a Trump trade ally noted anonymously. His ability to navigate complex trade regulations made his sudden exit particularly surprising to colleagues.
In a LinkedIn post announcing his CBP appointment, Bogden outlined his role: “I will serve in the Office of the Commissioner as a point of contact to the international trade community.” He emphasized coordinating trade policy development and implementation. His contributions were seen as critical to executing Trump’s economic agenda.
Following his resignation, Bogden publicly reaffirmed his support for Trump. “I continue to support President Trump and I remain fully behind the policies that are delivering real results for the American people,” he wrote on LinkedIn in April 2025. The post sought to dispel doubts about his loyalty.
Bogden’s dismissal highlights the administration’s sensitivity to past criticisms, particularly Taylor’s 2018 op-ed. The White House views such dissent as a betrayal of public trust. This incident serves as a warning to other officials about the consequences of perceived disloyalty.