Trump Gets Bit By the Snake

By Jeralyn, Section Trump Administration
Posted on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 02:29:56 PM EST
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Trump loved the story of the snake. We all predicted that the fictional snake would jump up one day and bite Trump in the as*.

And now he has. Here's the anonymous op-ed in the New York Times Here's Trump's response. Here are the staff denials to date.

The sad thing is there is no one to cheer for here. The author sounds like a dangerous infiltrator trying to foist his or her own brand of conservatism on the country. So, who is it? [More...]

The Times, in a Tweet, referred to the person as "he."

Mike Caputo reportedly said on the radio he is pretty sure he knows and it's a female. A clue he dropped: “It’s dangerous to fire her because of who she’s related to.” He also said she wouldn't have the skills to write that well, and opined a ghost-writer was the actual author.

Sounds like this person will be outed or out themselves soon. You don't have to be a cabinet member to be considered a "senior official."

Here's a list of White House Officials that is current as of July 1, 2018.

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Trump Gets Bit By the Snake | 55 comments (55 topical)

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The TImes quickly (none / 0) (#1)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 02:45:32 PM EST

Put out a statement saying the person who sent the "he" tweet did not know the identity and so did not know the sex..

FWIW

Lawrence ODonnell (none / 0) (#2)
by MKS on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 03:27:41 PM EST

says it is Dan Coats. His reasoning mafe sense to me. I font think it is Ivanka if thst is ehat Caputo was tryibh to say.

Ha! (none / 0) (#3)
by MKS on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 03:32:49 PM EST

Using smart phone sure increases typos. But you guys are smart enough to know what I was tring to say.


I (none / 0) (#4)
by FlJoe on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 03:58:52 PM EST

just can't see the motive for Coates, he's another one who I think would keep his head down an keep doing "god's work". He was fairly critical of tRump over the Helsinki humiliation, but seemed to back down on that, seemingly learning his lesson.


Seems like it might be (none / 0) (#5)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 04:13:14 PM EST

Someone with a lower profile than Coats.


In (none / 0) (#6)
by FlJoe on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 04:57:32 PM EST

reality it's probably a step down from all he names being bandied about, probably a deputy secretary or chief of staff. My underestimating is that "senior officials" go down one or two levels below cabinet level. I don't think the NYT would have printed this if they had any doubts this person could fit this description.

That's not to say that it wasn't manipulated from higher up, I could easily see Pence direct one of his top minions to pull this off.

I keep looking to motive, the whole op-ed reads like some heroic tale of the ("adult" conservative) Resistance rather than a humble plea from someone who finally found their conscience.

There is something Machiavellian about this, IMO someone is trying to goad tRump for their own reasons.


Yeah (none / 0) (#7)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 05:04:55 PM EST

Reads to me like an early attempt to separate "the party" from Trumpenstein.

You know, we gave you tax cuts and regulatory reform sorry about the debilitating side effects.

Don't blame us for those.

I still think it might be McGhan. If it is, it might have the added effect of taking attention off the Kavanaugh spectacle. Which I do not think is going as planned.

Plus, he is already leaving.

His denial means nothing.


McGahn is deeply involved (none / 0) (#8)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 05:07:39 PM EST

In the Kavanaugh thing. Always hovering behind him.


I (none / 0) (#12)
by FlJoe on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 05:30:54 PM EST

was thinking McGhan earlier, but again what's the motive? Distraction from Kavanaugh hearings which are getting fairly rocky, but that seems a bit too show biz for him.

He has obviously made his piece for better or worse with Mueller and no matter what happens he will receive a hero's welcome into arms of the Federalist Society.


Perhaps personal rehabilitation (none / 0) (#13)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 05:35:25 PM EST

Life after Trump. I think whoever it is expects to speak openly at some point.

He's already out.


What is puzzling me (5.00 / 1) (#26)
by Peter G on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 09:43:20 PM EST

is the nature of his game. That is, if what the op-ed says is true, then why disclose and describe this situation (the internal "resistance") publicly, and why now? What's the logical strategy there? The only thing I can think of -- and I don't find it particulary persuasive -- is to make Tr*mp completely melt down, go (further) off the deep edge. So again, why, and why now?


NO sympathy (5.00 / 1) (#30)
by jmacWA on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 06:02:48 AM EST

For Trump


Exactly (5.00 / 1) (#33)
by FlJoe on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 07:36:20 AM EST

why jeopardize a vital, successful and quasi-covert operation. If this cabal of "patriots" is truly fighting the good fight why would someone risk it all? If the main goal is to mitigate some of tRumps most dangerous impulses this op-ed could only possibly make that task harder or even inpossible moving forward.

All for some future CYA cred? i can't quite buy that.


That means you buy the (none / 0) (#34)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 08:10:20 AM EST

The first "heros of the republic" krap.

For my part, if there was an ounce of truth in that sneaking to the Times is not what you do.

Especially if you are really a senior person.

IMO this is about getting into the last lifeboat dressed as an old lady.

And you know whoever this is will be a media darling as soon as they speak up. There will be real rewards for this for a person like Kelly Ann or McGahn or Aunt Lydia or whoever it is. Cable contributor, book deal, mini series.


And worth remembering (none / 0) (#35)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 08:17:18 AM EST

Most of the people on that denial list won't be able think get arrested in 6-8 months.


That's (none / 0) (#38)
by FlJoe on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 09:47:09 AM EST

kind of my point, the act of writing the op-ed blows the whole hero narrative out of the water.

I do think there are actually grains of truth in this, Gary Cohn's actions as recounted by Woodward sure seem to fit. Others like Mattis could charitably be assumed to protecting the departments they head. Others like Sessions may be ignoring tRump (lock her up) to pursue his own agenda (lock up or deport all the browns).

As far as polishing your future cred, why not just resign and go public? Or even better first tell your tale to select members of the press, who will gladly do the hard work of polishing the turd for you.


What is the media game today (none / 0) (#39)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 09:50:52 AM EST

And yesterday and tomorrow until we know?

The guessing game.

Like I said with Kavanaugh and Mueller and everything else going on a resignation would have been announced at 3 and forgotten by 5

This was IMO very smart.


I see (none / 0) (#41)
by FlJoe on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 10:37:23 AM EST

your point about dominating the news for a few extra cycles, but will it really matter a couple of weeks down the road? Especially if the name is not revealed soon, there are a multitude of shiny objects in the queue.


: I'll be surprised if it's a couple of weeks (none / 0) (#42)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 10:47:43 AM EST

Whoever it is (none / 0) (#27)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 10:06:29 PM EST

The timing could be as simple as getting your resistance registered before the hammer falls.

For posterity or vanity or CYA.


: The (5.00 / 1) (#29)
by FlJoe on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 05:50:59 AM EST

last rat deserting a sinking ship is still a rat.

Perhaps to get President Pence installed... (none / 0) (#47)
by unitron on Sat Sep 08, 2018 at 01:36:30 AM EST

...before a Dem House and Senate convene next January, and have a chance to make the new Speaker the new President?

(provided the elections go that way)

In another little corner of the Internet I've suggested that we

#ImpeachPenceFirst

and that come January a Dem majority House (should we get one) install the 2016 1st runner-up as Speaker, with Pelosi in reserve.


One other thought (none / 0) (#14)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 05:42:58 PM EST

I mean who the hell know if it's him or not but one feeling I got from reading that was whoever it was seemed to think the end was near. They seemed to know things are coming. That very large hammers are about to fall.

Almost like someone who spent 30 hours talking to Mueller.


Agreed (5.00 / 1) (#15)
by FlJoe on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 06:01:15 PM EST

but it still seems more like someone is trying to hasten the end rather than mitigate or atone for it.


I did (none / 0) (#28)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 10:14:30 PM EST

get that same impression. They know the jig is up for Trump one way or the other they say. The jig can be up simply by the GOP losing the house.

I don't see how the GOP is ever going to outlive this nightmare though they seem to think they will.


My spider sense was tingling (none / 0) (#31)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 07:29:00 AM EST

When I woke up this morning. Something is coming.

Either that or a bit of a hangover.


: I hope it's (none / 0) (#37)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 09:32:06 AM EST

your spidey sense and not a hangover.
PS. The snake poem always makes me think of you since you pointed out him saying it a number of times. LOL.

If not really (none / 0) (#9)
by KeysDan on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 05:14:18 PM EST

"a senior official", such as Coats or other cabinet officer, it is even more troubling that a second or third tier official has taken on the responsibility to steer the ship of state.

The NYTimes op ed author does say that "many" inside the administration have "vowed" to do what they can to preserve our democratic institutions while thwarting Trump until he is out of office.

The use of the word "vowed" suggests a solemn promise or pledge...something organized and conspiratorial. .. a response to what was once considered manageable while still getting the conservative goodies (judges, tax cuts, deregulations) has become a frightening and out of control situation. Perhaps, that would explain .why now to go public...and no well-crafted sentences hide the fact that the author(s) observe Trump to have gone around the bend.

While no doubt there is a leader, the internal resistance may have crafted the op ed as sort of a murder on the orient express action.

Even s