White House counselor Kellyanne Conway on Sunday supported President Trump’s suggestion that the Department of Justice look into possible “criminal activity” by the author of the anonymous New York Times op-ed that claimed some administration officials are working to block parts of Trump’s agenda.
“There can be an investigation if there is criminal activity, perhaps,” Conway said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
When CNN’s Jake Tapper replied that the op-ed contains no mention of “criminal” behavior, Conway insisted, “I don’t know that. I don’t think you know that.”
{mosads}”Anybody who would do this, you don’t know what else they’re saying,” she said.
“I have literally no idea, nor do you, what else this person has divulged,” Conway said. “Let’s not look at the four corners of the op-ed or the four corners of someone’s book to say, ‘This is everything we know.’ “
Trump last week called for the Justice Department to investigate the anonymous author, accusing them of “treason” against the country.
The Times op-ed published this week, attributed to a “senior administration official” at the request of the author, described a group of individuals in the White House seeking to thwart the president’s “worst inclinations.”
The op-ed’s release was followed by a slew of denials by top Washington officials, including Vice President Pence and White House chief of staff John Kelly.
Conway during the CNN interview said the author should resign and come forward, suggesting they might be involved in national security issues.
“[Trump] doesn’t want this person in a meeting where he’s discussing China, Russia,” Conway said. “That raises true concerns, if it’s somebody who has access to information.”
She added that she believes the author will “suss him or herself out.”
“Cowards are like criminals,” she said. “Eventually, they confess to the wrong person — ‘Shh, it was me but don’t tell anyone.’ “