Anonymous Stepping into the Spotlight

Image Courtesy of Marketwatch

Image Courtesy of Marketwatch

Jasmine Whitfield, Staff Writer

The author of the book “A Warning” has finally decided to reveal his identity after nearly a year of remaining anonymous. “A Warning” is an exposé on the Trump administration that was released in November of 2019. This book sparked a lot of controversy due to all the accusations against President Trump. The anonymous author that at the time only identified as a Senior Trump Administration Official claims that “The President has failed to rise to the occasion in fulfilling his duties”. The author also made a case as to why they choose to stay anonymous saying “Removing my identity from the equation deprives him of an opportunity to create a distraction” and further added that without anybody to attack it, forces the president to face his accusations head on.

As of October 28, 2020, the anonymous author has revealed himself as Miles Taylor. Taylor is the former chief of staff at the department of homeland security. Taylor, who has been identified as a lifelong republican resigned from his position in 2019. He has even recently endorsed the Biden and Harris campaign due to his dislike for the Trump administration. There have been multiple times Taylor has denied being the author of “A Warning”, saying to CNN’s Anderson Cooper that “I wear a mask for two things, Anderson: Halloweens and pandemics. So, no”. Taylor also revealed himself as the author of an anonymous op-ed article released by the New York Times in 2018; which President Trump later claimed was “treasonous”.

Both President Trump and his administration were furious after both the op-ed article and the book “A Warning” was released. The administration wanted an investigation into who wrote both the book and the article believing charges should be brought against them. Now that Taylor has released his identity even more controversy has sparked. The white house claims that Taylor is simply a “disgruntled employee”; also adding that “this low-level, disgruntled former staffer is a liar and a coward who chose anonymity over action and leaking over leading”. The administration also is frustrated with the New York Times. In a statement, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany says, “It is appalling [that] a low-ranking official would be granted anonymity and it is clear the New York Times is doing the bidding of Never-Trumpers and Democrats”. The President even recently tweeted that Taylors anonymous writing is “Just another @nytimes SCAM” and that “They should fire, shame, and punish everybody associated with this FRAUD on the American people”. Lastly President Trump has claimed to not know Miles Taylor even though there is photographic evidence of the two in multiple white house meetings. As the election unfolds, we will have to wait and see how Miles Taylors bombshell reveals affects American voters.