Opinion | I Quit the First Trump Administration in Protest. Principled Conservatives Must Serve in the Second.
Briefly

In 2018, I anonymously published an op-ed in The Times warning that President Trump was unstable and a danger to our Republic. My experience revealed countless instances where Trump's unpredictable impulses caused chaos, such as withholding federal aid from states that he felt disrespected him, and proposing precarious partnerships with foreign adversaries like Russia during crucial cybersecurity matters.
During my time at DHS, I witnessed Trump's erratic behavior firsthand, including escalating tensions with North Korea over personal insults. This unpredictability often disrupted our operations and resulted in serious national security concerns. It created an atmosphere of unease that my colleagues and I had to navigate carefully.
I quit the Trump administration in 2019, deciding to campaign against him—an act that brought threats to my safety. However, I urge fellow conservatives to recommit themselves to the principles of service, stating that integrity is crucial as Trump potentially returns to the presidency.
While the media portrays a Trump administration as highly chaotic, I believe it won’t be as turbulent as reported. I encourage future Republicans to step forward and embrace the challenge to uphold our country’s core values, even in the face of undeniable difficulties.
Read at www.nytimes.com
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