Anonymous ID: 6d85b7 Sept. 7, 2018, 2:07 p.m. No.2924859   🗄️.is 🔗kun   >>4876 >>4916

Here are the Trump officials denying they wrote anonymous New York Times op-ed

 

Several top officials in President Trump’s administration are denying they wrote an opinion piece that was published in the New York Times on Wednesday. The piece, which sent shockwaves through Washington, detailed how administration officials are working to undermine the president and questioned his ability to effectively lead the country. “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,” the piece said. The writer was granted anonymity and only identified by the paper as a “senior official in the Trump administration.”

 

Here’s who has denied writing it:

Vice President Mike Pence released a statement Thursday that said the author and the New York Times “should be ashamed” of writing the “false, illogical, and gutless op-ed.” Speculation swirled Wednesday about the possibility that Pence had authored the piece, citing the inclusion of the word “lodestar,” which Pence has previously used in speeches. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told reporters that he’s not surprised the New York Times, “a liberal newspaper that has attacked this administration relentlessly,” printed the opinion piece. Pompeo referred to the unnamed writer as “a disgruntled, deceptive, bad actor.” Defense Secretary Jim Mattis denied being the author on Thursday. "It was not his op-ed," chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana White said, according to Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson. Attorney General Jeff Sessions denied he is the author, a Department of Justice spokesperson said. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said through a spokesperson that she has more important matters to focus on than to write an anonymous opinion piece. "These types of political attacks are beneath the Secretary and the Department’s mission," the statement said. CIA Director Gina Haspel, according to NBC News. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin called it "irresponsible" of the New York Times to print the piece. He said it was "laughable to think this could come from" him. UN Ambassador Nikki Haley. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, according to NBC News. Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney, according to NBC News. Director of National Intelligence Dan Coatssaid in a statement Thursday that any speculation about whether he or his principal deputy wrote the piece is “patently false.” Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross tweeted: "I did not write and am thoroughly appalled by this op-ed." Energy Secretary Rick Perry, according to NBC News. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, through a press secretary, said: "She has the courage of her convictions and signs her opinions." Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson denied being the author Thursday, through a spokesman who spoke to Ben Jacobs of The Guardian. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie, according to NBC News. Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, according to NBC News. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said: "It does not reflect my views at all, and it does not reflect the views of anyone I know in the Administration. It is a complete and total fabrication.” U.S. Ambassador to Russia Jon Huntsman said: "Anything sent out by me would have carried my name. An early political lesson I learned: never send an anonymous op-ed." Kellyanne Conway, counselor to the president, according to NBC News. Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler, according to NBC News. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, according to NBC News. White House counsel Don McGahn told reporters "no" when asked if he was the author. Small Business Administration Administrator Linda McMahon, according to NBC News. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, per CNN. Zinke also tweeted that the author of the op-ed should "should be embarrassed at both their dishonesty and their cowardice." Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, NBC reports. FBI Director Chris Wray, according to CNN. National Economic Council Director Larry Kudlow said in an interview with CNBC that he "didn't write anything."

 

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/here-are-the-trump-officials-denying-they-wrote-anonymous-new-york-times-op-ed

 

Note: There is one department not covered here I believe capable..next post.