Cliff Sims says the government is trying to punish him for writing his book “Team of Vipers” Trump has dismissed Sims as a “low level staffer” whose book was “based on made up stories and fiction” WASHINGTON: A former White House aide is suing President Donald Trump and arguing the government is trying to illegally penalize him after he wrote a book that portrayed an unflattering picture of life in the West Wing. Cliff Sims filed a lawsuit Monday in federal court in Washington. Trump’s campaign accused Sims last month of violating a nondisclosure agreement by publishing his book, “Team of Vipers.” Trump has dismissed Sims as a “low level staffer.” He said the book was “based on made up stories and fiction.” Sims’ lawsuit charges the government is using a private surrogate to “serve as an illegitimate cutout” and impose liability through the nondisclosure agreement. Sims argues he learned the information only through his time as a federal employee. The White House didn’t immediately comment.