A running list of every Trump official claiming they didn't write the Times op-ed


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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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