The New York Times has published an op-ed that editors claim is written by a senior member of Donald Trump’s White House staff. The New York Times further claims that its staff know the identify of the individual but have chosen to conceal it. It goes without saying that the ability to openly, forcefully and even obscenely criticise the American government is a fundamental right deriving from the first amendment of the US constitution. Implicit in the first amendment is among other things, the right to oppose war and be critical of US military policy. However, when a soldier refuses to obey lawful orders, this is a crime. When a soldier refuses to obey lawful orders in wartime, according to Article 90 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), the punishment for such a crime is death.
In respect of civilians engaged in seditious activities, according to 18 U.S. Code § 2384 - Seditious conspiracy:
“If two or more persons in any State or Territory, or in any place subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, conspire to overthrow, put down, or to destroy by force the Government of the United States, or to levy war against them, or to oppose by force the authority thereof, or by force to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States, or by force to seize, take, or possess any property of the United States contrary to the authority thereof, they shall each be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than twenty years, or both”.
Given that by the author’s own admission, the article in question was drafted by one individual and published by at least one other, the statutory mandate for the number of persons required to constitute a seditious conspiracy is satisfied by the events surrounding the publication of the aforementioned article.
Yet far from simply being a constitutional exercise in free speech which is critical of the US President (something I and many others I respect have engaged in on a regular basis), the person openly boasting of his or her ability to thwart the US President’s policy making ability including in the realm of diplomacy (a specific executive power), is conspiring against the lawful government of the United States from within.
TREASON?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2018
While some might think that this is an extreme interpretation of recent events, one must realise that due to the fact that the author of the op-ed has insisted that he or she will continue to work against the elected President from a high level White House position - the author’s stated intentions and proclaimed achievements constitute an open conspiracy to undermine the nation. Not only does the author take pride in his or her ability to “prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any law of the United States” but the author also appears to revel in his or her desire and alleged ability to manipulate the elected head of state in such a way that is harmful to the transparent and ethical execution of his legal duties.
The fact that in almost any other country in the world, such an individual would be found and executed at the soonest possible instance is self-evident. But even according to the laws of the United States which by international standards are incredibly forgiving of what in other jurisdictions would be treasonable acts, the author has clearly not only been derelict in his or her duties but is in breach of some of the most serious laws of the United States.
At a time when accusing foreign governments of conspiring against the United States has become fashionable, it is wise to remember that it is the duty of all nations to look out for their own unique interests. Apart from an act of war or espionage, it is normal, legal and commonplace for foreign powers to promote their viewpoints which serve their own interests. Every country in the world does this and the more powerful the country, the more amplified these views become.
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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2018
But while official Russian media defending Russian interests, official French media defending French interests and official Japanese media defending Japanese interests is a normal state of affairs, conspiring against one’s own government from within is not only abnormal but abhorrent, unethical and on a human level, incredibly disgusting. The wickedness of the author in question is made all the more apparent when one realises that he or she could have levelled the same criticisms of the US President within moments of resigning and the entire matter would be one of constitutionally protect free speech. The fact the author has not resigned at once is a further indication of a seditious conspiracy on his or her part.
And thus, I would like to offer a personal reflection on the matter beyond the legal, ethical and moral implications of the situation. Donald Trump was lawfully elected to defend the constitution whose first amendment gives me the right to criticise US foreign and economic policies on a daily basis. That first amendment is now in jeopardy not from Trump but from those working in illegal methods to undermine him.
Therefore, whatever one’s views are on any past or current US government policies, it is the duty of all honourable and ethical men and women to defend Donald Trump from those who would destroy him and in so doing destroy the most sacred and cherished rights that he has defended.
