The New York Times published a rare anonymous opinion piece Wednesday written by a senior White House official.
In a piece titled, “I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration,” the writer says they are working to “thwart” U.S. President Donald Trump‘s “worst inclinations.”
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The newspaper published the op-ed with a note, explaining its decision to publish without a byline.
“We have done so at the request of the author, a senior official in the Trump administration whose identity is known to us and whose job would be jeopardized by its disclosure,” a header on the op-ed read. “We believe publishing this essay anonymously is the only way to deliver an important perspective to our readers.”
It has encouraged readers to ask questions of its decision-making process.
The writer of the piece claims they are part of a larger group of officials who want the administration to succeed, but are trying to save it from its own leader’s “misguided impulses.”
“This isn’t the work of the so-called deep state. It’s the work of the steady state.”
The op-ed goes on to explain that those in the so-called “resistance” are doing so because they feel they have a duty toward their country.
WATCH: An anonymous White House insider has written to the New York Times to sound the alarm on U.S. President Donald Trump’s “erratic” and “amoral” behaviour. As Eric Sorensen reports, in the stunning op-ed, the author describes a circle of insiders determined to shield against the worst of Trump’s impulses and excesses.
“That is why 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.”
The biggest problem facing the U.S. government, according to the writer, is Trump’s “amorality.” The writer also says that while Trump was elected as a Republican president, he doesn’t possess the traits many within the party hold dear.
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“…the president shows little affinity for ideals long espoused by conservatives: free minds, free markets and free people. At best, he has invoked these ideals in scripted settings. At worst, he has attacked them outright.”
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The senior official adds that the Trump administration’s accomplishments — “effective deregulation, historic tax reform, a more robust military and more” — are all despite his leadership, not because of it.
“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,” the piece reads.
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The op-ed also details Trump’s “erratic” behaviour, which makes it difficult for staff to predict what he will do — or tweet.
“Some of his aides have been cast as villains by the media,” it reads. “But in private, they have gone to great lengths to keep bad decisions contained to the West Wing, though they are clearly not always successful.”
The writer also delves into the prospect of a revolt against Trump, which would lead to him being removed from office. But they say it carries too heavy a risk.
“Given the instability many witnessed, there were early whispers within the cabinet of invoking the 25th Amendment, which would start a complex process for removing the president. But no one wanted to precipitate a constitutional crisis.”
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So until Trump leaves office “one way or the other,” the writer says this group of officials will make every effort to guide the nation.
“It may be cold comfort in this chaotic era, but Americans should know that there are adults in the room. We fully recognize what is happening. And we are trying to do what’s right even when Donald Trump won’t.”
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The op-ed prompted significant chatter on social media after it was published Wednesday afternoon.
Trump labelled the piece a “gutless editorial” and “really a disgrace,” in remarks made during an event with sheriffs at the White House.
“They don’t like Donald Trump and I don’t like them because they’re very dishonest people,” Trump said of the New York Times.
White House press secretary said she was “disappointed, but not surprised, that the paper chose to publish this pathetic, reckless, and selfish op-ed.”
The op-ed also comes just a day after excerpts of journalist Bob Woodward’s book, Fear: Trump in the White House, provided another inside look at the current state of the U.S. government.
The book, which is set to be released on Sept. 11., alleges that Trump’s current and former aides have called him an “idiot” and a “liar.”
Trump has called the book “boring & untrue!”