This Anonymous Anti-Trump Op-Ed From Inside The White House Is Designed To Create Chaos. It's Succeeding. | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: This informational nugget was sent to me by Ben Shapiro, who represents the Daily Wire, and since this is one of the most topical news events, it should be published on BCN.

    On Wednesday, The New York Times printed an anonymous op-ed by a senior member of the Trump administration supposedly revealing that members of the administration are hemming in Trump's worst instincts. The piece, titled, "I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration," explained:

    I work for the president but like-minded colleagues and I have vowed to thwart parts of his agenda and his worst inclinations.

    The piece explains that Trump is ignorant and "amoral," and that loyal Americans must do everything from within to curb his worst excesses:

    We want the administration to succeed and think that many of its policies have already made America safer and more prosperous.

    But we believe our first duty is to this country, and the president continues to act in a manner that is detrimental to the health of our republic. ... Although he was elected as a Republican, 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.

    In addition to his mass-marketing of the notion that the press is the "enemy of the people," President Trump's impulses are generally anti-trade and anti-democratic.

    Here's the question: what's the point of this op-ed?

    It's clearly not to help the administration - it makes Trump look like a nincompoop, an out-of-control toddler handled by his more adult keepers. It's also not designed to put the administration on better footing - by allegedly revealing the inner workings of the White House, this staffer has launched a molehunt that will tear apart Trump's inner staff. Any sign of disagreement with Trump will be seen now as a sign of disloyalty, which is why Trump is tweeting in full Captain Queeg mode, in search of the strawberries:

    Donald J. Trump    @realDonaldTrump

    TREASON?

    6:15 PM - Sep 5, 2018

    The Wall Street Journal is already reporting on the attempts to ferret out the op-ed's author at the White House.

    So, what was the real point? There are two going theories:

    1. Self-Glorification Of The Author. We'll certainly find out who wrote this sooner rather than later - and when the person is outed, he or she will be in a position of Strange New Respect™ from the Trump-despising media. A book contract will shower down on this person like manna from heaven. The Left will expunge the supposed stench of Trump-association from the author, and he or she will be held up as the model of the Republican all other Republicans should follow. Up until the point the person is outed as an actual conservative, at which point the media will label him or her a racist, sexist, bigot homophobe again.

    2. Creation Of A Mole Hunt. What if the purpose of this op-ed was to lead to a mole hunt in the White House, in which all those who were not loyal enough were purged? Perhaps the author is well-embedded enough in the administration to know that others will be blamed.

    The first theory is most plausible. But suffice it to say that Trump fulminating is not at his level-headed best. The author had to know that, above all.