President instructs Attorney General to launch probe to find White House official
President Trump has instructed Attorney General Jeff Sessions to launch a full investigation into the anonymous “deep state” operative behind the critical NY Times op-ed, citing “national security” concerns.
The author claims to be part of an anti-Trump “resistance” group and is believed to be a senior White House official.
Speaking to the press, President Trump told reporters: “I would say Jeff (Sessions) should be investigating who the author of that piece was because I really believe it’s national security.”
Regarding the writer of the hit-piece, he said: “We’re going to take a look at what he had, what he gave, what he’s talking about also where he is right now.”
Mr. Trump said if the writer is, in fact, part of his administration, with a high-level security clearance, then “I don’t want him in those meetings.”
The president added that he was also looking at whether action would be taken against the newspaper for publishing the article.
The scathing op-ed, published earlier this week in the NYT claimed that “many of the senior officials in his (Trump’s) own administration are working diligently from within to frustrate parts of his agenda and his worst inclinations.”
The author alleged that “unsung heroes” were supervising the president’s “erratic behavior” and that “the root of the problem is the president’s amorality.”
“Anyone who works with him knows he is not moored to any discernible first principles that guide his decision making,” the writer states.
The Failing New York Times! pic.twitter.com/SHsXvYKpBf
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2018
TREASON?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2018
President Trump slammed the article as “gutless” and a “horrible thing” and its author as “treasonous,” describing his administration as a “well-oiled machine.”
Earlier today, the president drew up a list of names of people suspected of authoring the critical article.
A number of senior officials have already come forward to deny writing the piece, including Vice-president Mike Pence.
Some pointed the finger at Mr. Pence due to the use of the word “lodestar” in the article – a term he has used before in speeches.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has also denied writing it.
On Thursday, another anonymous source, professing to be a second White House insider to come forward, claimed that “dozens and dozens” of “deep state” operatives are working against the president.
READ MORE: White House Official: ‘Dozens of Deep State Operatives Working Against Trump’