The biggest game in Washington right now is speculating on who wrote the stunning New York Times editorial describing efforts within the Trump Administration to protect the nation from the worst effects of a mentally unbalanced President. The editorial confirms a series of books and stories, previously deemed “fake news” by the President, telling much the same story.
The most recent and credible of these books is Bob Woodward’s Fear: Trump In The White House. However, Woodward’s is just the latest in a string of similar books, from Omarosa’s Unhinged to Michael Wolff’s Fire and Fury to James Comey’s A Higher Loyalty, all telling the same story of a mentally unbalanced, amoral President with no respect for the rule of law.
Now that story is directly confirmed by a high administration official. One fascinating theory, focusing on the word “lodestar,” suggests the author is none other than Vice President Pence. Though Pence’s office released a statement denying it.
Others “finger” National Intelligence Director Dan Coats, though he too has denied it.
For reasons I explain elsewhere, I believe the author will soon be known. I also believe the myopic search for that one author is misplaced.
The claim of that author, and all those telling much the same story in those books, is that it is much more than one person. Consider this string of quotes from the currently anonymous New York Times editorial:
many of the senior officials in his own administration are working diligently from within to frustrate parts of his agenda and his worst inclinations . . . many Trump appointees have vowed to do what we can to preserve our democratic institutions while thwarting Mr. Trump’s more misguided impulses until he is out of office . . . From the White House to executive branch departments and agencies, senior officials will privately admit their daily disbelief at the commander in chief’s comments and actions. Most are working to insulate their operations from his whims . . . There is a quiet resistance within the administration of people choosing to put country first.
This is not a person, this is “people,” apparently “many” people. They are also people at the top of the administration. Trump’s own appointees.
Trump has responded in a typically unstable manner that serves only to verify the legitimacy of the allegations. First with denial, calling it all phony.
Then acceptance that it was real, but with the unreal suggestion that it was treason.
Assurance to his followers that he would fight all these swamp creatures, that he appointed to his own administration, and that he would win.
Finally, a ringing endorsement from a major world leader.
Think about what that tweet from North Korea’s murderous leader means. It means the President of the United States has been desperately calling world leaders seeking their support and affirmation that he has been stable when dealing with them. And that was the best he could do.
It’s clear Woodward had many sources for his book. It’s clear whoever wrote that New York Times editorial believes he is but one of many in the administration protecting the nation from the worst inclinations of the President.
The President is already describing them as leftist Deep Staters.
A massive purge is coming to The White House. Soon. It will be sweeping and likely accomplish things Trump has sought for a long time, like the removal of Jeff Sessions as Attorney General.
The White House, and to some degree the nation, will be in chaos and turmoil come the November elections.