How the Anonymous Op-Ed Came to Be
Question: Did The New York Times seek out the author of this piece, or did the author seek out The New York Times?
Answer The writer was introduced to us by an intermediary whom we know and trust.
Question: How did you vet the author?
Answer: Through direct communication with the author, some background checking and the testimony of the trusted intermediary.
Question: To what extent did The Times consider the effect that publication of the piece would have in bolstering conspiracy theories about the “deep state” or QAnon, etc.?
Answer: We did not take that into consideration. It is difficult to ever know what reportage might feed into a conspiracy theory. But the essay included a passage that indicates the author suspected the piece might be viewed as part of a “deep state” theory: “This isn’t the work of the so-called deep state. It’s the work of the steady state.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/08/reader-center/anonymous-op-ed-trump.html?smtyp=cur&smid=tw-nytopinion