New York Times "I Am Part of the Resistance" Op-Ed

Overview

The New York Times "I Am Part of the Resistance" Op-Ed is an anonymous opinion essay published in the New York Times, which purports the existence of an insubordinate group of workers within the administration of United States President Donald Trump. The group claims to be working to undermine the president's policies that they find harmful to the country.

Background

On September 5th, 2018, The New York Times^[1] published "I Am Part of the Resistance," a "rare" anonymous editorial written by a "senior official in the Trump administration," who, along with others in the White House, has vowed to thwart parts of [President Trump's] agenda and his worst inclinations." The essay states that a resistance against the president within his own administration has formed. The author writes, "From the White House to executive branch departments and agencies, senior officials will privately admit their daily disbelief at the commander in chief’s comments and actions. Most are working to insulate their operations from his whims."

Development

Online Reaction

Online, the op-ed became the subject of numerous conversation. That day, Redditor ^[6] cleardaniel posted the article in the /r/politics subreddit. There, it received more than 49,000 points (75% upvoted) and 12,000 comments in less than 24 hours.

Shortly after the article was posted, people began sharing parodies of the article, changing the title to other, humorous interpretations. Twitter user @pixelatedboat tweeted,^[2] "I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Writer's Room for the ALF Reboot. The post (shown below, left) received more than 1,600 retweets and 10,000 likes in 24 hours.

Others used the article to express their opinion that the op-ed does not absolve the author of the work done in the White House. Twitter^[3] user @oneunderscore__ tweeted, "I May Be the Guy Who Sells Tony Soprano All of His Bazookas, But I Had Nothing to Do with the Great Tony Soprano Bazooka Massacre in the Kitchen of That Hoboken Restaurant, And I Believe I Deserve Some Sort of Credit For This." The post (shown below, center) received more than 890 retweets and 3,300 likes in 24 hours.

Similarly Twitter^[4] user gilbertjasono tweeted the parody: "Sure, I'm a Storm Trooper. But, Like, A COOL Storm Trooper." The tweet (shown below, right) received more than 1,700 retweets and 8,000 likes in 24 hours.

Some speculated about who the person could be joked about Trump's search for the person. New York Times writer Dave Itzkoff tweeted^[5] the Trump Yelling at Lawn Mowing Boy meme with the caption, "HOW COULD YOU." The post (shown below) received more than 2,700 retweets and 16,000 likes in 24 hours.

Trump's "Treason?" Tweet

President Trump reacted negatively to the article, and his first tweet on the subject received much attention online. He tweeted,^[7] "TREASON?" In less than 24 hours, the tweet (shown below) received more than 28,000 retweets and 97,000 likes.

That evening, Vox^[8] published an article that explained how the constitution defined treason. According the United States Constitution, Article III, Section 3 of the Constitution defines treason as:

"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court. The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted."

Shortly after, people posted various memes about Trump's perceived misunderstanding of the qualifications of treason (examples below).

Later that evening, President Trump questioned whether the source existed. He wrote,^[12] "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!" The tweet (shown below) received more than 27,000 retweets and 98,000 likes in 24 hours.

People responded to the second tweet with outrage. Professor Tom Nichols tweeted,^[13] "I think it says something that this tweet is somehow getting lost in the shuffle, as though it's just another thing a President might say. If Obama or a President HRC had said this, this Congress would already be holding emergency hearings. Like, tonight." The tweet (shown below, left) received more than 2,500 retweets and 8,100 likes in 24 hours.

Professor Robert Reich tweeted,^[14] "There's no other way to put it: the President of the United States is spiraling out of control." The tweet (shown below, right) received more than 2,200 retweets and 7,400 likes in 24 hours.

Media Coverage

Several media oulets coverd the reaction to the op-ed, including Vox,^[8] The Daily Dot, ^[9][10] HuffPo^[11] and more.

Search Interest

External References