Secretary of State Mike Pompeo criticized the New York Times Thursday for publishing an op-ed from a self-declared member of the “deep state” resistance to President Donald Trump’s administration and denied being the author.
“It’s not mine,” Pompeo told reporters during his trip to India:
Pompeo condemned the Times for publishing the op-ed, questioning if it was even accurate.
“They should not, well, have chosen to take a disgruntled, deceptive bad actor’s word for anything and put in their newspaper,” he said.
Pompeo cited his military background, suggesting that the official was a traitor who should swiftly exit the administration.
“I come from a place where if you’re not in a position to execute the commander’s intent, you have a singular option, it is to leave,” he said.