Author of NYT op-ed critical of Trump was right to stay anonymous, says lawyer
High-level resignations haven't accomplished anything, says Mark Zaid
The author of a New York Times op-ed about a resistance within the White House was right to stay anonymous, according to a constitutional lawyer who represents government whistleblowers.
"I think if the individual had put their name on it, at this point we'd be talking about who this person is, what their history was, where'd they go to school, what work that they do prior, how did they get to this point?" said Mark Zaid, a lawyer who handles cases involving national security.
"Whereas right now we're talking about the substance of what's in the op-ed," he said.
The opinion piece was penned by an anonymous senior administration official, claiming to be part of a "resistance" working "from within" to thwart U.S. President Donald Trump's "worst inclinations."
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued a statement saying that "this coward should do the right thing and resign."
Does the so-called “Senior Administration Official” really exist, or is it just the Failing New York Times with another phony source? If the GUTLESS anonymous person does indeed exist, the Times must, for National Security purposes, turn him/her over to government at once!
—@realDonaldTrumpZaid argued that if the author really intends to curb Trump, there was "greater value" in maintaining their position.
"There have been a number of high-level resignations, mostly in the State Department at the ambassadorial level," he said.
"But it didn't accomplish anything, because Trump's base could care less, the president could care less."
Listen to the full conversation near the top of this page.
Produced by Howard Goldenthal, Willow Smith and John Chipman.