A Warning

About the Author

The book "A Warning" is authored by an anonymous senior official within the Trump administration. Choosing to remain unnamed, the author has taken a bold step to shine a light on the inner workings of a turbulent and chaotic administration. The decision to stay anonymous stems from a desire to keep the focus on the message rather than the messenger. As a result, the author remains a figure shrouded in mystery, yet their insights offer a rare and candid look at the challenges faced by those who served under President Donald J. Trump.

The author first came to public attention with a New York Times op-ed published on September 5, 2018, in which they described a "resistance" within the administration. This group of senior officials worked quietly behind the scenes to curb the more reckless impulses of the President, acting as a safeguard for the nation's interests. The book, "A Warning," is an extension of that op-ed, offering a more detailed account of the struggles and ultimate failures of those efforts. Through this work, the author aims to alert the American public to the dangers they perceive in the current presidency, advocating for a critical examination of leadership and a call to action for the nation's citizens.

Main Idea

"A Warning" is a harrowing portrayal of a presidency marked by chaos, impulsiveness, and a disregard for the principles of democracy. The book argues that President Donald J. Trump is unfit for office, depicting him as a leader who is not only ill-equipped to handle the responsibilities of his role but also as someone who poses a significant threat to the nation's democratic institutions. The author's central thesis is that the so-called "Steady State," a group of principled advisors and officials, failed in their attempts to mitigate the President's most dangerous impulses. As these individuals were systematically removed or driven away, the administration became increasingly erratic and disconnected from the norms that traditionally guide the American government.

The book is a call to action, urging the American people to recognize the dangers of the current administration and to take steps to prevent further damage to the country's democratic system. The author explores various aspects of the Trump presidency, from foreign policy blunders to domestic challenges, painting a picture of a leader who is more interested in personal gain than in the welfare of the nation. Through this lens, "A Warning" serves as both a critique of Trump's leadership and a broader commentary on the state of American democracy.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: The Rise of "The Resistance"
2. The Failure of the Steady State
3. Inside the Dysfunctional White House
4. The War on Democracy
5. Praising Dictators, Blasting Allies
6. The Politics of Division and Lies
7. Enablers and Apologists
8. The Path Forward: Firing Trump
9. Conclusion: A Call to Action

Introduction: The Rise of "The Resistance"

The book opens with the author recounting the origins of "The Resistance" within the Trump administration. This group of senior officials saw themselves as the last line of defense against a President they believed was unfit to lead. These individuals, often referred to as the "Steady State," sought to temper Trump's more reckless decisions and guide the administration towards a more stable and traditional path.

Their efforts, however, were ultimately in vain. The author describes how the President's behavior became increasingly erratic and difficult to manage, leading to a breakdown in the functioning of the administration. The op-ed that first introduced the concept of "The Resistance" was meant to reassure the public that there were "adults in the room" working to protect the nation. However, as the book reveals, this effort was not enough to counteract the President's impulses.

The Failure of the Steady State

The concept of the "Steady State" is central to the book's narrative. The author describes how this group of senior officials initially believed they could contain the President's worst instincts and keep the administration on track. They saw themselves as the guardians of the nation's democratic institutions, working to prevent the President from making decisions that could have disastrous consequences.