Former White House aide Cliff Sims sues Trump
By Kathryn Watson
/ CBS News
Former White House communications aide and "Team of Vipers" author Cliff Sims is suing President Trump and the federal government, claiming the president and his administration are "intentionally" and "unconstitutionally" trying to silence him.
The lawsuit comes after the Trump campaign has filed an arbitration claim against Sims for alleged breaches of a non-disclosure agreement the campaign says Sims signed. Sims, who served as a Trump campaign staffer then as an adviser to Mr. Trump for 15 months in the White House, is asking the courts to not enforce any non-disclosure agreements and stop the president and his associates from further attempting to penalize him.
"The defendants seek to unlawfully penalize and impose a prior restraint upon Mr. Sims with respect to the publication and discussion of his book, "Team of Vipers: My 500 Extraordinary Days in the Trump White House … and any information he has learned as a result of serving as a federal employee," the complaint reads. "The U.S. government is intentionally and unconstitutionally engaging in a subterfuge effort to use a private entity, Donald J. Trump for President, Inc., to do its bidding to silence Mr. Sims when it is really the intense powers of the presidency coming down upon a sole individual."
When Sims' book was released, Trump called Sims a "low-level staffer" and a "mess," after which Sims tweeted out pictures of himself and the president in the White House.
"Team of Vipers: My 500 Extraordinary Days in the Trump White House" is out today, written by the most famous "gofer" in the world! Enjoy! https://t.co/Eovn8jMVhk pic.twitter.com/V013bIe0r2
— Cliff Sims (@Cliff_Sims) January 29, 2019
The president has been known to use non-disclosure agreements in the past. An arbitration complaint was also filed against former "Apprentice" star and White House staffer Omarosa Manigault Newman when she published her tell-all book on her time in the Trump White House.
First published on February 12, 2019
© 2019 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Kathryn Watson
Kathryn Watson is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital.
Former White House aide Cliff Sims sues Trump
The author and former adviser to the president claims the Trump is using his campaign to silence him
updated 13M ago 
Newborn girl found in middle of road in frigid temperatures
Aurelio Fuentes, who found the infant, said the umbilical cord was still attached
updated 19M ago 
Wall Street jumps on optimism over U.S.-China trade talks
Investors are watching for progress in U.S.-China trade talks and in negotiations to avert a second government shutdown
1H ago 
Astronaut Mark Kelly announces Senate bid
"Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" Kelly said as he announced his Senate run as an Arizona Democrat
updated 27M ago 
Homebuying in 2019: Prices dipping, but other problems linger
While it may not be as strong of a seller's market, higher mortgage rates and lack of inventory could stymie buyers
2H ago
Former White House aide Cliff Sims sues Trump
The author and former adviser to the president claims the Trump is using his campaign to silence him
updated 13M ago
Astronaut Mark Kelly announces Senate bid
"Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" Kelly said as he announced his Senate run as an Arizona Democrat
updated 27M ago 
Senators demand FAA probe after CBS News report on airline mechanics
Democrats Ed Markey and Richard Blumenthal want answers after an eight-month-long CBS News investigation
2H ago 
Biden, other dignitaries attending John Dingell's funeral in Michigan
The longest-serving member of Congress in history died last week at age 92
1H ago 
The Takeout: A CBS News original political podcast
“The Takeout” is a weekly podcast about politics, policy and pop culture hosted by CBS News Chief White House correspondent Major Garrett
4H ago 
Anti-Semitism "spreading like a poison" in France, official warns
Government vows action after portraits of a Holocaust survivor, a memorial honouring a Jewish man and a bagel shop were targeted
updated 0M ago 
Pentagon chief may get an earful in Iraq over ISIS battle plan
Acting Secretary of Defense's visit comes after President Trump angered the Iraqis by suggesting a different mission for U.S. troops in the country
1H ago 
ISIS still fighting in Syria despite Trump's assurances
Ground forces backed by U.S. and coalition airstrikes launched an offensive over the weekend
16H ago 
Venezuelan officials: Aid tests military's loyalty to Maduro
The U.S. government said it's prepared to dispatch more than $20 million in humanitarian aid to Venezuela
22H ago 
Russian region declares emergency over polar bear "invasion"
It is illegal to hunt the species, already endangered thanks to climate change shrinking their habitat, but a cull has not been ruled out
Feb 11 
The 2019 Grammy Awards: Winners and highlights
Female performers dominated the 61st Annual Grammy Awards
14H ago 
Alicia Keys shares story about John Mayer splitting his Grammy award with her 15 years ago
Mayer surprised Keys with the same award he split with her in 2004 — after he felt she deserved the trophy, too
16H ago 
Grammys 2019: Complete list of winners
Kacey Musgraves took home album of the year; Cardi B made history as the first woman to win best rap album
21H ago 
Trevor Noah weighs in on blackface controversies
The "Daily Show" host weighs in on blackface controversies surrounding Virginia leaders
22H ago 
Michelle Obama makes surprise appearance at Grammys
The former first lady's comments were interrupted by roaring applause Sunday night
21H ago 
Russian region declares emergency over polar bear "invasion"
It is illegal to hunt the species, already endangered thanks to climate change shrinking their habitat, but a cull has not been ruled out
Feb 11 
Crew hunts for fabled U.S. carrier in a graveyard for WWII ships
The explorers who located the wreck of the USS Indianapolis are searching for an aircraft carrier sunk by the Japanese 77 years ago
Feb 11 
Hurricanes are intensifying more rapidly and it may be our fault
Storms that quickly strengthen are often the most challenging to predict, and they can cause more damage
Feb 10 
Wells Fargo outage: Customers say direct deposits aren't showing up
Banking customers complained about problems accessing their accounts, while the bank vowed to reverse fees
Feb 8 
Global lawmakers try again to get Zuckerberg to testify
A Facebook vice president sat next to an empty chair reserved for CEO Mark Zuckerberg when the committee met in London last year
Feb 7 
Teen defies mom, gets vaccinated after turning to strangers online
"I question her judgment, but not her care," says Ethan Lindenberger of his mother
2H ago 
FDA announces crackdown on illegal dietary supplements
In one case, the FDA found a company claimed its product reduced "symptoms of cognitive decline"
15H ago 
Medicare patients face surging costs for some life-saving drugs
Participants in the federal health program often struggle to afford treatments for cancer and other diseases
Feb 11 
CBD fans want edibles, but some states are cracking down
States are cracking down on cannabidiol-infused food over safety concerns — some in the industry say it's warranted
19H ago 
Feeling lonely? You're not alone
Nearly half of Americans say they sometimes or always feel alone, which can have health consequences: doctors say loneliness can lead to increased mortality equal to smoking 15 cigarettes a day
23H ago 
Wall Street jumps on optimism over U.S.-China trade talks
Investors are watching for progress in U.S.-China trade talks and in negotiations to avert a second government shutdown
1H ago
Homebuying in 2019: Prices dipping, but other problems linger
While it may not be as strong of a seller's market, higher mortgage rates and lack of inventory could stymie buyers
2H ago 
Reddit raises $300 million in finance round led by China's Tencent
The investment, which values the social media service at $3 billion, comes as Reddit is blocked in China
2H ago 
These new Barbies come in a wheelchair and have a prosthetic leg
Mattel says it's making iconic toy line more diverse after adding two dolls with disabilities
16H ago 
Toys R Us plots a 2nd act with new look, new name
The children's brand is planning to return as Tru Kids, with smaller stores and a stronger e-commerce presence
16H ago 
Ruling may help unlock answers to notorious 1946 lynchings
Court upholds decision to unseal grand jury records on unsolved shooting of 2 black couples in rural Georgia that led to national outcry
5H ago 
5 dead in shooting at rural Texas home
At least five people were killed Monday following an apparent shooting at a home in rural Texas
15H ago 
Southern Baptist leaders and workers abused hundreds, report says
Southern Baptist church leaders and workers have been accused of sexual misconduct over the past 20 years
19H ago 
Suicide texting trial: The case against Michelle Carter in the death of Conrad Roy
The groundbreaking trial of a crime of the digital age — should a young woman go to prison for sending texts to a friend who took his own life?
16H ago 
Rare move in bid to lengthen sentence of Chicago cop who killed teen
The former Chicago officer was sentenced to six years and nine months in the 2014 death of black teen Laquan McDonald
21H ago
