A running list of every Trump official claiming they didn't write the Times op-ed
![White House Cabinet meeting.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uAhPWSLjmhtVzme78kbPNN-415-80.jpg)
A "senior official in the Trump administration" wrote an anonymous op-ed in The New York Times on Wednesday, claiming there's a "resistance" within the White House. Amateur detectives want to know who it is. There are dozens of potential culprits, but these administration officials have so far denied responsibility. Kathryn Krawczyk
Vice President Mike Pence. The vice president is "above such amateur acts," his communications director tweeted Thursday morning.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The top diplomat told reporters a "disgruntled, deceptive bad actor" wrote the letter, but it wasn't him, per NBC News.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Secretary of Defense James Mattis. A Pentagon spokeswoman simply told Reuters that "it was not [Mattis'] op-ed."
National Intelligence Director Dan Coats. Despite recently criticizing Trump, neither Coats nor his "principal deputy" wrote the piece, he said in a statement.
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson. A spokesperson told The Guardian that Carson isn't responsible.
Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen. This "political attack" is beneath her, a spokesperson told NBC News.
Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin. "It is laughable to think this could come from the secretary," Mnuchin's public affairs assistant tweeted.
Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney. Not him, a spokesperson told NBC News.
Secretary of Energy Rick Perry. "Hiding behind anonymity and smearing the president ... makes you a coward," Perry tweeted.
Ambassador to Russia John Huntsman. His time spent communicating with Moscow taught him to "never send an anonymous op-ed," a spokesperson says.
First Lady Melania Trump. Whoever wrote it is "sabotaging this country," she told CNN.
White House Counsel Don McGahn. He'll be leaving the White House soon, but still didn't write it, per CNN.
Secretary of Labor Alex Acosta. He "does not play these sophomoric Washington games," a spokesperson said.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie. It's not him "nor anyone else at the VA," a spokesperson told CNN.
Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. He tweeted that he's "thoroughly appalled" by it.
Small Business Administration Administrator Linda McMahon. Nope, she tweeted.
Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar. Nah, per The Guardian.
CIA Director Gina Haspel. A spokesperson told NBC News: "No!"
Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley. No, she told CNN.
Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. "That's a no," a spokesman said.
Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao. "For those who have inquired," no, a spokeswoman told CNN.
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. She "does not play Washington insider games," the department's press secretary tweeted.
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. It's a "complete and total fabrication," he said in a statement to CNN.
White House counselor Kellyanne Conway. "Of course not," she told NBC News.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Even Trump's public enemy is a no, a spokesperson told CNN.
National Security Agency Director Paul Nakasone. Not him, per an NSA tweet.
This list has been updated as more officials have denied responsibility.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
Hamas and Fatah sign unity agreement in Beijing
Speed Read China brokered a reconciliation deal between the rival Palestinian factions
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
The Earth just saw its hottest day on record
Speed Read July 21, 2024 was the hottest day in recorded global history
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Bob Menendez to resign after corruption conviction
Speed Read The New Jersey senator submitted to resignation pressure following charges of federal bribery and corruption
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Menendez convicted of bribery, fraud, and extortion
Speed Read The New Jersey Democratic Senator was found guilty in a federal corruption trial
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Florida judge dismisses Trump documents case
Speed Read Judge Aileen Cannon ruled that special counsel Jack Smith was improperly appointed
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Hamas says military chief survived Israeli strike
Speed Read An Israeli bombing failed to hit its intended target, military commander Mohammed Deif, but killed at least 90 Palestinians
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
First Israeli report on Oct. 7 finds 'severe mistakes and errors' in IDF response
Speed Reads Israeli military admits failures in response to deadly Hamas attack that triggered Gaza war
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Biden saw neurologist during physicals
Speed Read Following his bad debate performance, many are asking questions about the president's brain
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Russia bombs Kyiv children's hospital
Speed Reads The daytime barrage interrupted heart surgeries and killed at least 40 people
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published