Former FBI agent suggests Kirstjen Nielsen may have written the infamous anonymous New York Times op-ed
Could President Trump have finally gotten rid of that anonymous New York Times op-ed writer without even realizing it?
That's what one former FBI agent speculated following the resignation of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen on Sunday, per Mediaite. Josh Campbell, a CNN analyst and former FBI special agent, suggested on Twitter that Nielsen's resignation letter bears a striking resemblance to the Times op-ed written by an anonymous senior administration official who said they were part of a "resistance" working to undermine Trump's worst impulses from within.
While citing his FBI experience, Campbell observed that both Nielsen's resignation letter and the Times op-ed make heavy use of commas and em dashes, also pointing to a few other instances of similar choices.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
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.
Campbell noted that he is "just spitballing" here, but his theory would fit with reporting from CNN that Nielsen felt Trump had become "unhinged" on issues concerning the border, as well as reporting from The New York Times that she drafted a resignation letter last year but never submitted it.
The White House scrambled to find the writer of that anonymous op-ed when it was published in September 2018, but seven months later, its author has never been revealed, although former White House official Omarosa Manigault Newman in November cited rumors that the person had already been "quietly removed." For now, although a new theory has emerged, the mystery continues.
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
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
Ecuador's cloud forest has legal rights – and maybe a song credit
Under the Radar In a world first, 'rights of nature' project petitions copyright office to recognise Los Cedros forest as song co-creator
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Today's political cartoons - November 3, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - presidential pitching, wavering convictions, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published