Fear: Trump in the White House

PROLOGUE

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

But now there was the letter: Author obtained document.

“More than anything else, it’s”: On-the-record interview with Donald J. Trump, March 31, 2016.

CHAPTER 1

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources. See also Let Trump Be Trump by Corey Lewandowski and David Bossie (New York: Hachette, 2017).

Trump had once given Bannon: “Bannon’s ‘Victory Sessions’ Goes National,” Breitbart, February 23, 2012.

CHAPTER 2

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

“The Failing Inside Mission”: Alexander Burns and Maggie Haberman, “The Failing Inside Mission to Tame Trump’s Tongue,” The New York Times, August 14, 2016, p. A1. (Available online at https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/14/us/politics/donald-trump-campaign-gop.html.)

The Times article about the failure: Ibid.

Trump had appeared on a series: David A. Fahrenthold and Frances Stead Sellers, “How Bannon Flattered and Coaxed Trump on Policies Key to the Alt-Right,” The Washington Post, November 15, 2016.

In an August 8 speech: Donald J. Trump, “Remarks to the Detroit Economic Club,” August 8, 2016. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=119744.

It had been great when Trump released: Louis Nelson, “Trump Outlines 10-Point Plan to Reform Veterans Affairs Department,” Politico, July 11, 2016.

CHAPTER 3

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

But the New York Daily News had: Jennifer Fermino, “Senior Donald Trump Adviser Appears to Be Fan of NYC Bondage, Swinger’s Club,” New York Daily News, April 12, 2016.

“I need you to look at something”: Andrew E. Kramer, Mike McIntire and Barry Meier, “Secret Ledger in Ukraine Lists Cash for Donald Trump’s Campaign Chief,” The New York Times, August 14, 2016.

The Times article on Manafort: Ibid.

For all the abuse: Bob Cusack, “Trump Slams RNC Chairman, Calls 2016 Process ‘A Disgrace,’” The Hill, April 12, 2016.

The New York Times reported: Jonathan Martin, Jim Rutenberg and Maggie Haberman, “Donald Trump Appoints Media Firebrand to Run Campaign,” The New York Times, August 17, 2016.

On August 22, Time magazine: View the cover online at http://time.com/magazine/us/4447970/august-22nd-2016-vol-188-no-7-u-s/.

CHAPTER 4

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

The in-depth and wide-ranging 2017 Yahoo News/Huffington Post oral history project “64 Hours in October: How One Weekend Blew up the Rules of American Politics” was a helpful resource throughout this chapter. It was reported by Michael Isikoff, Dylan Stableford, Hunter Walker, Holly Bailey, Liz Goodwin, Lisa Belkin, Garance Franke-Ruta and Gabby Kaufman, and written by Dylan Stableford. Read it here: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/yahoo-64-hours-october-american-politics_us_59d7c567e4b072637c43dd1c.

The first showed up: Pam Fessler, “10 Months After Election Day, Feds Tell States More About Russian Hacking,” NPR, September 22, 2017.

In July of 2016, WikiLeaks: Eric Lipton, David E. Sanger and Scott Shane, “The Perfect Weapon: How Russian Cyberpower Invaded the U.S.,” The New York Times, December 13, 2016; Ellen Nakashima, “Cybersecurity Firm Finds Evidence That Russian Military Unit Was Behind DNC Hack,” The Washington Post, December 22, 2016.

The next day, August 5: Michael J. Morell, “I Ran the C.I.A. Now I’m Endorsing Hillary Clinton,” The New York Times, August 5, 2016.

At 3 p.m. on Friday: Joint Statement from the Department of Homeland Security and Office of the Director of National Intelligence on Election Security, Department of Homeland Security [archived], October 7, 2016.

But one hour later: David A. Fahrenthold, “Trump Recorded Having Extremely Lewd Conversation About Women in 2005,” The Washington Post, October 8, 2016.

“I expected it to be something”: Yahoo News Staff, “64 Hours in October: How One Weekend Blew Up the Rules of American Politics,” Yahoo News/Huffington Post, October 6, 2017.

Trump issued a brief statement: David A. Fahrenthold, “Trump Recorded Having Extremely Lewd Conversation About Women in 2005,” The Washington Post, October 8, 2016.

After midnight—and hours: “Transcript of Donald Trump’s Videotaped Apology,” The New York Times, October 8, 2016.

Just before 1 p.m., Pence: Yahoo News Staff, “64 Hours in October: How One Weekend Blew Up the Rules of American Politics,” Yahoo News/Huffington Post, October 6, 2017.

Two hours later, Melania Trump: Ibid.

At 3:40 p.m., Trump tweeted: Ibid.

Will you stay in the race?: Ibid.

Priebus, Christie, even the reliable: Brent Griffiths, “Trump Campaign Manager Reemerges to Show Support for GOP Nominee,” Politico, October 9, 2016; State of the Union transcript, CNN, October 9, 2016.

Giuliani gave, or tried: Meet the Press transcript, NBC, October 9, 2016.

The “transformational” presidential campaign: Fox News Sunday transcript, Fox News, October 9, 2016.

When CNN’s Jake Tapper: State of the Union transcript, CNN, October 9, 2016.

He had pulled out every stop: This Week transcript, ABC, October 9, 2016.

CHAPTER 5

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

The in-depth and wide-ranging 2017 Yahoo News/Huffington Post oral history project “64 Hours in October: How One Weekend Blew Up the Rules of American Politics” was a helpful resource throughout this chapter.

Giuliani had said twice: State of the Union transcript, CNN, October 9, 2016; Meet the Press transcript, NBC, October 9, 2016.

Just before 7:30 p.m.: Yahoo News Staff, “64 Hours in October: How One Weekend Blew Up the Rules of American Politics,” Yahoo News/Huffington Post, October 6, 2017.

At 7:26, Trump tweeted: Ibid.

Early on, CNN’s Anderson Cooper: Presidential Debate at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, transcript, Commission on Presidential Debates, October 9, 2016.

They were using Pence well: Pence’s campaign appearances were recorded by the nonpartisan P2016: Race for the White House, http://www.p2016.org/trump/pencecal1116.html.

Two days before the election: Fox News Sunday transcript, Fox News, November 6, 2016.

“If we don’t win”: Donald J. Trump, “Remarks at J. S. Dorton Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina,” November 7, 2016. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=122536.

According to Clinton’s book: Hillary Clinton, What Happened (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2017), p. 378.

The state was called: Lauren Easton, “Calling the Presidential Race State by State,” AP, https://blog.ap.org/behind-the-news/calling-the-presidential-race-state-by-state.

It was announced he had won: Ibid.

The AP called Wisconsin: Ibid.

“Now it’s time for Americans”: Donald J. Trump, “Remarks in New York City Accepting Election as the 45th President of the United States,” November 9, 2016. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=119495.

The president-elect dwelled: Ibid.

The press release listed: Donald J. Trump, “Press release—President-Elect Donald J. Trump Announces Senior White House Leadership Team,” November 13, 2016. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=119641.

CHAPTER 6

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

When he was nominated as secretary: Trump announced at a Cincinnati rally on December 1, 2016, that he would nominate Mattis for secretary of defense.

“A very Trumpian-inspired”: Chris Cillizza, “Here’s Why Donald Trump Picked Rex Tillerson as Secretary of State,” The Washington Post, December 13, 2016. Conway gave her comments on a December 12, 2016, episode of MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell Reports.

CHAPTER 7

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

Cohn didn’t mention a report: Christine Giordano, “Trump’s Business Credit Score Is 19 Out of a Possible 100,” Fox Business, October 20, 2016.

Five minutes later while Cohn: Donald J. Trump, “Press release—President-Elect Donald J. Trump to Nominate Steven Mnuchin as Secretary of the Treasury, Wilbur Ross as Secretary of Commerce and Todd Ricketts as Deputy Secretary of Commerce,” November 30, 2016. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=119711.

The day after Christmas: Interview with Michael Flynn, December 26, 2016.

Flynn was being widely criticized: Rosalind S. Helderman and Tom Hamburger, “Trump Adviser Flynn Paid by multiple Russia-Related Entities, New Records Show,” The Washington Post, March 16, 2017.

CHAPTER 8

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

An unclassified, scaled-back version: Read the unclassified version of the intelligence community’s January 6, 2017, report on the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) website at https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/ICA_2017_01.pdf.

Steele had shared portions: Max Greenwood, “McCain Gave Dossier Containing ‘Sensitive Information’ to FBI,” The Hill, January 11, 2017.

On the second page it said: Ken Bensinger, Miriam Elder and Mark Schoofs, “These Reports Allege Trump Has Deep Ties to Russia,” BuzzFeed News, January 10, 2017.

This was designed to obtain: Ibid.

On December 9, Trump said: Nahal Toosi, “Trump Team Rejects Intel Agencies’ Claims of Russian Meddling,” Politico, December 9, 2016.

He later told Fox News: “Trump: Claims of Russian Interference in 2016 Race ‘Ridiculous,’ Dems Making Excuses,” Fox News, December 11, 2016.

He tweeted, “Unless you catch”: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/808300706914594816.

Angry at the criticism: Martin Matishak and Connor O’Brien, “Clapper: Trump Rhetoric on Intel Agencies Alarming U.S. Allies,” Politico, January 5, 2017.

The next day, Kellyanne Conway: Louis Nelson, “Conway ‘Disappointed’ in Media Leaks Before Intel Briefing,” Politico, January 6, 2017.

In a telephone interview: Michael D. Shear and David E. Sanger, “Putin Led a Complex Cyberattack Scheme to Aid Trump, Report Finds,” The New York Times, January 6, 2017.

In his book, Comey offers: James Comey, A Higher Loyalty (New York: Flatiron Books, 2018), p. 218.

Russia has had a long-standing desire: Read the unclassified version of the intelligence community’s January 6, 2017, report on the DNI website at https://www.dni.gov/files/documents/ICA_2017_01.pdf.

Trump was a “clear preference”: Ibid.

Comey later wrote, “I figured”: James Comey, A Higher Loyalty (New York: Flatiron Books, 2018), p. 224.

In A Higher Loyalty, Comey wrote: Ibid., p. 216.

This is what Comey wrote: Ibid., p. 225.

After the briefing Trump released: Louis Nelson, “Trump Says Hacking Had ‘No Effect on the Outcome of the Election,’ ” Politico, January 6, 2017.

Four days later, January 10: Ken Bensinger, Miriam Elder and Mark Schoofs, “These Reports Allege Trump Has Deep Ties to Russia,” BuzzFeed News, January 10, 2017.

In Facts and Fears, Clapper: James R. Clapper, Facts and Fears (New York: Penguin, 2018), p. 4.

In A Higher Loyalty, published: James Comey, A Higher Loyalty (New York: Flatiron Books, 2018), p. 216.

On January 15, five days: Fox News Sunday transcript, Fox News, January 15, 2017.

Later that afternoon Trump tweeted: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/820723387995717632.

CHAPTER 9

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

A lot went wrong: For some of the best public accounts of this event, see Eric Schmitt and David E. Sanger, “Raid in Yemen: Risky from the Start and Costly in the End,” The New York Times, February 1, 2017; and Thomas Gibbons-Neff and Missy Ryan, “In Deadly Yemen Raid, a Lesson for Trump’s National Security Team,” The Washington Post, January 31, 2017.

Owens’s father, Bill Owens: Julie K. Brown, “Slain SEAL’s Dad Wants Answers: ‘Don’t Hide Behind My Son’s Death,’” Miami Herald, February 26, 2017.

He later also said: Ibid.

“I can understand people saying”: Nolan D. McCaskill, “Trump Deflects Responsibility on Yemen Raid: ‘They Lost Ryan,’” Politico, February 28, 2017.

In an interview on Fox: Ibid.

To the congressional audience: Donald J. Trump, “Address Before a Joint Session of the Congress,” February 28, 2017. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=123408.

As a private citizen Mattis: Carla Marinucci, “Ex-Military Leaders at Hoover Institution Say Trump Statements Threaten America’s Interests,” Politico, July 15, 2016.

Senator John McCain, displaying: Emma Loop, “John McCain Says the Recent Yemen Raid Was a ‘Failure,’” BuzzFeed News, February 7, 2017.

Under the Brexit referendum: Great Britain’s Brexit referendum was held on June 23, 2016.

In his speech in Munich: “Intervention by Secretary of Defense Mattis, Session One of the North Atlantic Council,” NATO Defense Ministerial, February 15, 2017.

Nonetheless he said: “U.S. Defense Chief Says NATO Is ‘Fundamental Bedrock,’” Reuters, February 15, 2017.

At a news conference: Donald J. Trump, “The President’s News Conference with Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization,” April 12, 2017. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=123739.

When Trump met the European leaders: Donald J. Trump, “Remarks at the Dedication Ceremony for the Berlin Wall Memorial and the 9/11 and Article 5 Memorial in Brussels, Belgium,” May 25, 2017. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=125840.

CHAPTER 10

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

What the hell! Priebus thought: Greg Miller, Adam Entous and Ellen Nakashima, “National Security Adviser Flynn Discussed Sanctions with Russian Ambassador, Despite Denials, Officials Say,” The Washington Post, February 9, 2017.

The Post story, carrying the bylines: Ibid.

According to a six-page internal: Author obtained document.

President-elect Trump praised Putin: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/814919370711461890.

Flynn’s resignation was announced: Greg Miller and Philip Rucker, “Michael Flynn Resigns as National Security Adviser,” The Washington Post, February 14, 2017.

His statement said, “I accept”: Carol D. Leonnig, Adam Entous, Devlin Barrett and Matt Zapotosky, “Michael Flynn Pleads Guilty to Lying to FBI on Contacts with Russian Ambassador,” The Washington Post, December 1, 2017.

Trump had raised hell about McCabe’s wife: D’Angelo Gore, “Clinton’s Connection to FBI Official,” FactCheck.org, October 25, 2016.

She had received $675,288: Ibid.; see also D’Angelo Gore, “Trump Wrong About Campaign Donations,” FactCheck.org, July 26, 2017.

He had not let go of the issue: View Trump’s tweets at: https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/889792764363276288; https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/890207082926022656; https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/890208319566229504.

“You know this story in The New York Times?”: Michael S. Schmidt, Mark Mazzetti and Matt Apuzzo, “Trump Campaign Aides Had Repeated Contacts with Russian Intelligence,” The New York Times, February 14, 2017.

About a week later on February 24: Jim Sciutto, Evan Perez, Shimon Prokupecz, Manu Raju and Pamela Brown, “FBI Refused White House Request to Knock Down Recent Trump-Russia Stories,” CNN, February 24, 2017.

Four months later on June 8: Michael S. Schmidt, Mark Mazzetti and Matt Apuzzo, “Comey Disputes New York Times Article About Russia Investigation,” The New York Times, June 8, 2017.

CHAPTER 11

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

“I just wanted to announce”: Donald J. Trump, “Remarks on the Appointment of Lieutenant General H. R. McMaster (USA) as National Security Adviser in Palm Beach, Florida, and an Exchange with Reporters,” February 20, 2017. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=123396.

CHAPTER 12

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

Dispelling any doubt: Christine Kim, “Voice of Triumph or Doom: North Korean Presenter Back in Limelight for Nuclear Test,” Reuters, September 4, 2017.

The North’s nuclear weapons center: Matt Clinch, “Here’s the Full Statement from North Korea on Nuclear Test,” CNBC, September 9, 2016.

To compound the potential: See the CNS North Korea Missile Test Database, available for download at http://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/cns-north-korea-missile-test-database/.

Former U.S. negotiator Robert Gallucci: Panel discussion on U.S. policy on North Korea at George Washington University, August 28, 2017, Washington, D.C. Video is available at https://www.c-span.org/video/?433122-1/us-policy-north-korea.

Trump had a history of public statements: Rebecca Shabad, “Timeline: What Has Trump Said About North Korea over the Years?” CBS News, August 10, 2017.

In a 2016 campaign speech: Ibid.

In May of 2016, he told Reuters: Ibid.

As president, in 2017: Ibid.

He condemned the North’s: Barack Obama, “Statement on North Korea’s Nuclear Test,” September 9, 2016. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=118931.

To maximize shock value: Elizabeth Weise, “Sony Pictures Entertainment Hacked,” USA Today, November 24, 2014.

CHAPTER 13

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

Former vice president Joe Biden: Bob Woodward, Obama’s Wars (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2010), p. 62.

He’d called Trump a “jackass”: Nicholas Fandos, “Lindsey Graham Destroys Cellphone After Donald Trump Discloses His Number,” The New York Times, July 22, 2015.

He endorsed Jeb Bush: Cheri Cheng, “Lindsey Graham Endorses Presidential Candidate Jeb Bush,”News EveryDay, January 15, 2016.

Graham and McCain had released: “Statement by Senators McCain and Graham on Executive Order on Immigration,” January 29, 2017.

Just days before, on March 5: See the CNS North Korea Missile Test Database, available for download at http://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/cns-north-korea-missile-test-database/.

The week prior, on March 4: View Trump’s tweets at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/837989835818287106; https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/837993273679560704; https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/837994257566863360; https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/837996746236182529.

In 2015, Trump had made: Jonathan Martin and Alan Rappeport, “Donald Trump Says John McCain Is No War Hero, Setting Off Another Storm,” The New York Times, July 18, 2015.

During a spring meeting: Adriana Diaz, “U.S. THAAD Missile System a Factor in South Korea’s Presidential Election,” CBS News, May 8, 2017.

Trump later told Reuters: Stephen J. Adler, Jeff Mason and Steve Holland, “Exclusive: Trump Vows to Fix or Scrap South Korean Trade Deal, Wants Missile System Payment,” Reuters, April 27, 2017.

He told Chris Wallace on Fox News: “McMaster Says U.S. Will Pay for THAAD Antimissile System in South Korea,” Fox News, April 30, 2017.

As a first step: “South Korea Trade Ministry Says Ready to Begin Renegotiating U.S. Trade Pact,” Reuters, December 17, 2017.

CHAPTER 14

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

McMaster, angry with Harvey: McMaster fired Harvey on July 27, 2017.

When it looked like they were: Julie Hirschfeld Davis, “Trump Meets Saudi Prince as U.S. and Kingdom Seek Warmer Relations,” The New York Times, March 14, 2017.

Trump finally gave the go-ahead: Mark Landler and Peter Baker, “Saudi Arabia and Israel Will Be on Itinerary of Trump’s First Foreign Trip,” The New York Times, May 4, 2017.

He announced $110 billion: Aaron Mehta, “Revealed: Trump’s $110 Billion Weapons List for the Saudis,” DefenseNews, June 8, 2017.

The next month Saudi king Salman: Sudarsan Raghavan and Kareem Fahaim, “Saudi King Names Son as New Crown Prince, Upending the Royal Succession,” The Washington Post, June 21, 2017.

CHAPTER 15

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

Beginning in 2011, four years: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/122396588336349184.

In March 2012, he tweeted: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/179270017064513536.

In January, it was, “Let’s get out”: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/289807790178959360.

In March, “We should leave”: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/307568422789709824.

In April, “Our gov’t is so pathetic”: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/324590961827143681.

And in November, “Do not allow”: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/403511109942247424.

And in December 2015, Trump tweeted: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/679000573241393154.

White House coordinator: Bob Woodward, Obama’s Wars (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2010), p. 361.

President Bush had publicly cited: Transcript, “President Bush Discusses the War in Iraq,” CQ Transcripts Wire, March 20, 2006.

In a May 31 op-ed in The Wall Street Journal: Erik D. Prince, “The MacArthur Model for Afghanistan,” The Wall Street Journal, May 31, 2017.

For years the CIA had run: Bob Woodward, Obama’s Wars (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2010), p. 8.

On July 18, Trump had lunch: Ben Jacobs, “In Town Pool Report #3,” 1:12 p.m., July 18, 2017, http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/report.php?pid=2365.

The National Security Council gathered: Author review of contemporaneous notes by a participant.

Later in the day those: Ibid.

That evening, Priebus hosted: Ibid.

CHAPTER 16

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

In February, Trump had called it: Donald J. Trump, “The President’s News Conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel,” February 15, 2017. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=123361.

As a candidate in 2016, he had said: Donald J. Trump, “Remarks at the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington, DC,” March 21, 2016. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=116597.

He directed that the short letter: “Tillerson: Iran Remains a Leading State Sponsor of Terror,” Breitbart News, April 20, 2017.

In a five-minute presentation, Tillerson: See Tillerson’s comments as part of the transcript of The Lead with Jake Tapper, CNN, April 19, 2017, http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1704/19/cg.01.html.

CHAPTER 17

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

At a rally in June 2016: Full transcript: “Donald Trump’s Jobs Plan Speech,” Politico, June 28, 2016.

“This is the president’s vision”: Peter Coy, “After Defeating Cohn, Trump’s Trade Warrior Is on the Rise Again,” Bloomberg, March 8, 2018.

Each month Cohn brought: JOLTS numbers are publicly available at https://www.bls.gov/jlt/.

He came into the job with five-star: Foremost among those recommending him was Brett Kavanaugh, who had been staff secretary to President George W. Bush. Bush appointed Kavanaugh to a judgeship on the powerful District of Columbia Court of Appeals. He was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Trump on July 9, 2018.

CHAPTER 18

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

Bannon was convinced that Jared: See Emily Crane and Cheyenne Roundtree, “Donald’s Eruption in the Oval Office: Video Emerges of Trump’s ‘Furious Argument’ with Top Adviser Steven Bannon as Ivanka and Jared Look On, Hours Before President Made Phone Tapping Claims,” Daily Mail, March 5, 2017.

For his part, he was convinced: See Michael S. Schmidt, Matthew Rosenberg and Matt Apuzzo, “Kushner and Flynn Met with Russian Envoy in December, White House Says,” The New York Times, March 2, 2017.

The later event for Modi: Max Bearak, “Modi’s ‘No Frills’ Visit to Washington Masks a Potential Minefield,” The Washington Post, June 26, 2017.

In 2014 he said, “We mark”: Barack Obama, “Statement on the Elimination of Syria’s Declared Chemical Weapons Stockpile,” August 18, 2014. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=106702.

“We got 100 percent of the chemical”: John Kerry interview with David Gregory, Meet the Press, NBC, July 20, 2014.

In 2016, DNI Clapper said publicly: Peter Baker, “For Obama, Syria Chemical Attack Shows Risk of ‘Deals with Dictators,’” The New York Times, April 9, 2017.

In a public statement on April 4: Donald J. Trump, “Statement on the Chemical Weapons Attack in Khan Sheikhoun, Syria,” April 4, 2017. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=123681.

Graham knew Trump-speak: The next day Putin called the attack an “illegal act of aggression” and canceled an agreement to prevent midair incidents between U.S. and Russian jets over Syria called deflection.

The next morning, Senator John McCain: “Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz, Is Interviewed on MSNBC’s ‘Morning Joe,’” Federal News Service, April 7, 2017.

Anne-Marie Slaughter, who had been: View Slaughter’s tweet at https://twitter.com/slaughteram/status/850263058756673540.

CHAPTER 19

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

An emergency meeting was called: Author review of contemporaneous notes by a participant.

Sonny Perdue gave a presentation: Author review of contemporaneous notes by a participant.

A New York Times headline read: Gina Chon and Pete Sweeney, “China Surrenders Little to U.S. in First Round of Trade Talks,” The New York Times, May 12, 2017.

The president held a meeting: Author review of contemporaneous notes by a participant.

CHAPTER 20

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

He brought a three-page memo: Rosenstein’s memo is available at https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/3711188/Rosenstein-letter-on-Comey-firing.pdf.

He had muddied the waters: “Partial Transcript: NBC News Interview with Donald Trump,” CNN, May 11, 2017, https://www.cnn.com/2017/05/11/politics/transcript-donald-trump-nbc-news/index.html.

The evening of Tuesday, May 16: Michael S. Schmidt, “Comey Memo Says Trump Asked Him to End Flynn Investigation,” The New York Times, May 16, 2017.

On CNN that evening: Derek Hawkins, “‘I Think We’re in Impeachment Territory,’ Says David Gergen, Former Aide to Nixon and Clinton,” The Washington Post, May 17, 2017.

CHAPTER 21

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

First, he had been blindsided: “Attorney General Sessions Statement on Recusal,” U.S. Department of Justice, March 2, 2017.

Dowd examined the one-page Rosenstein order: The order is publicly available at https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3726408-Rosenstein-letter-appointing-Mueller-special.html.

Perhaps the most troubling pieces: Comey’s June 8, 2017, testimony to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is available at https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/3860393/Comey-Opening-Statement-June-8.pdf. Comey’s memos are available at https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/4442900/Ex-FBI-Director-James-Comey-s-memos.pdf.

In a celebrated July 27 news conference: Donald J. Trump, “News Conference in Doral, Florida,” July 27, 2016. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=118047.

He later tweeted, “If Russia”: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/758335147183788032.

The next day he said: Nick Gass, “Trump on Russia Hacking Comments: ‘Of Course I’m Being Sarcastic,’” Politico, July 27, 2016.

CHAPTER 22

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

Within the intelligence and military world: Bob Woodward, Obama’s Wars (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2010), p. 56.

Just over a month later: See the CNS North Korea Missile Test Database, available for download at http://www.nti.org/analysis/articles/cns-north-korea-missile-test-database/.

That afternoon, McMaster chaired: Author review of contemporaneous notes by a participant.

Less than two months later: Michelle Ye Hee Lee, “North Korea’s Latest Nuclear Test Was So Powerful It Reshaped the Mountain Above It,” The Washington Post, September 14, 2017.

During the campaign, on February 10: Matt Stevens, “Trump and Kim Jong Un, and the Names They’ve Called Each Other,” The New York Times, March 9, 2018.

He was captured nine months later: Saddam Hussein was tried for crimes against humanity, found guilty and hanged three years later.

From October 17 to 19, 2017: David Cenciotti, “Here Are Some Interesting Details About the Way U.S. B-2 Bombers Trained Over the U.S. to Strike North Korea,” The Aviationist, October 30, 2017.

This question echoed: Wolf Blitzer, “Search for the ‘Smoking Gun,’” CNN, January 10, 2003.

Chain migration, formally called: William A. Kandel, “U.S. Family-Based Immigration Policy,” Congressional Research Service, February 9, 2018, https://fas.org/sgp/crs/homesec/R43145.pdf.

Two thirds (68 percent): Ibid.

CHAPTER 23

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

Gary Cohn gathered the principals: Author review of contemporaneous notes by a participant.

In a late-afternoon Rose Garden: Donald J. Trump, “Remarks Announcing United States Withdrawal from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Paris Agreement,” June 1, 2017. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=125881.

On June 15, 2017, The Washington Post: Sari Horwitz, Matt Zapotosky and Adam Entous, “Special Counsel Is Investigating Jared Kushner’s Business Dealings,” The Washington Post, June 15, 2017.

Priebus continued to tell Trump: In early 2018, Jared’s interim Top Secret security clearance was taken away as the FBI continued a very aggressive background investigation. But in May, the FBI granted Jared a permanent Top Secret clearance, suggesting his troubles in the special counsel probe were over—a startling turn in his favor.

CHAPTER 24

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

Over the weekend of July 8 and 9: The first article was by Jo Becker, Matt Apuzzo and Adam Goldman, “Trump Team Met with Lawyer Linked to Kremlin During Campaign,” The New York Times, July 8, 2017. The second, by the same reporters, was “Trump’s Son Met with Russian Lawyer After Being Promised Damaging Information on Clinton,” The New York Times, July 9, 2017.

On July 17 Trump tweeted: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/886950594220568576.

McGahn, Priebus: Author obtained document.

On July 20 Bloomberg dropped: Greg Farrell and Christian Berthelsen, “Mueller Expands Probe to Trump Business Transactions,” Bloomberg, July 20, 2017.

In a Pentagon-commissioned study: Tom Vanden Brook, “Military Tells Transgender Troops They Can Still Serve and Get Medical Treatment Until Further Notice,” USA Today, July 27, 2017. Read more on the study at https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_briefs/RB9900/RB9909/RAND_RB9909.pdf.

“After consultation with my Generals”: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/890193981585444864.

In two more tweets following: View Trump’s tweets at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/890196164313833472; https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/890197095151546369.

The confusion played out: Leo Shane III and Tara Copp, “Trump Says Transgender Troops Can’t Serve in the Military,” MilitaryTimes, July 26, 2017.

Trump spokesperson Sarah Huckabee Sanders: “Press Briefing by Press Secretary Sarah Sanders,” The White House, July 26, 2017.

Several White House officials: Rachel Bade and Josh Dawsey, “Inside Trump’s Snap Decision to Ban Transgender Troops,” Politico, July 26, 2017.

The commandant of the Coast Guard: Chris Kenning, “Retired Military Officers Slam Trump’s Proposed Transgender Ban,” Reuters, August 1, 2017.

Dunford sent a letter: Rebecca Kheel, “Joint Chiefs: No Change in Transgender Policy Until Trump Sends Pentagon Direction,” The Hill, July 27, 2017.

The White House later issued: Richard Sisk, “Pentagon Ready to Accept Transgender Recruits Starting Jan. 1,” Military.com, December 30, 2017.

CHAPTER 25

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

Trump had aimed a pair: View Trump’s tweets at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/880408582310776832; https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/880410114456465411.

Following the Mika tweet: Glenn Thrush and Maggie Haberman, “Trump Mocks Mika Brzezinski; Says She Was ‘Bleeding Badly from a Face-Lift,’” The New York Times, June 29, 2017.

Trump wanted to get out of: Greg Miller, Julie Vitkovskaya and Reuben Fischer-Baum, “‘This Deal Will Make Me Look Terrible’: Full Transcripts of Trump’s Calls with Mexico and Australia,” The Washington Post, August 3, 2017.

Trump had said, “It is an evil time”: Ibid.

Scribbling his thoughts: Author obtained document.

CHAPTER 26

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

Just the previous week: Tom Finn, “U.S., Qatar Sign Agreement on Combating Terrorism Financing,” Reuters, July 10, 2017.

In a news conference in Qatar: Ibid.

In his long quest: Author review of contemporaneous notes by a participant.

On Wednesday, July 19, 2017: Peter Baker, Michael S. Schmidt and Maggie Haberman, “Citing Recusal, Trump Says He Wouldn’t Have Hired Sessions,” The New York Times, July 19, 2017.

Two days later Trump continued: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/889467610332528641.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal: Michael C. Bender, “Trump Won’t Say if He Will Fire Sessions,” The Wall Street Journal, July 25, 2017.

On July 24 Kushner released: Annie Karni, “Kushner Defends His Russia Contacts: ‘I Did Not Collude,’” Politico, July 24, 2017.

Graham said Sessions: Rebecca Savransky, “Graham Defends Sessions: Trump Tweets ‘Highly Inappropriate,’” The Hill, July 25, 2017.

Priebus talked the president: Chris Whipple, “‘Who Needs a Controversy over the Inauguration?’ Reince Priebus Opens Up About His Six Months of Magical Thinking,” Vanity Fair, March 2018.

CHAPTER 27

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

Priebus called a full senior staff meeting: Author review of contemporaneous notes by a participant.

“They’re all making money,” Trump said: The 2015 nuclear deal had been a bonanza for the European Union countries. EU imports from Iran had grown an astonishing 347 percent in 2016 over the previous year. (Source: Congressional Research Service, October 25, 2017.) One French company had made a $4.7 billion gas deal in Iran. Trump, of course, made the point without the details.

Trump recalled that General Nicholson: MOAB officially stands for Massive Ordnance Air Blast.

Trump left the meeting: Jordan Fabian, “In-Town Pool Report #2—Troop Greeting & Another Comment on Afghan,” 12:51 p.m., July 20, 2017, http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/report.php?pid=2357.

A senior White House official who spoke contemporaneously: Author review of contemporaneous notes by a participant.

CHAPTER 28

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

McMaster said that at 6:03 a.m.: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/889788202172780544.

In November 2017, he had said: Donald J. Trump, “The President’s News Conference with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan in Tokyo, Japan,” November 6, 2017. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=128510.

On December 22, the vote was 15 to 0: Rick Gladstone and David E. Sanger, “Security Council Tightens Economic Vise on North Korea, Blocking Fuel, Ships and Workers,” The New York Times, December 22, 2017.

“Reince is a fucking paranoid”: Ryan Lizza, “Anthony Scaramucci Called Me to Unload About White House Leakers, Reince Priebus and Steve Bannon,” The New Yorker, July 27, 2017.

He looked down at the latest: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/891038014314598400.

Kelly said in a statement: Cristiano Lima, “Kelly ‘Honored’ to Serve as White House Chief of Staff,” Politico, July 28, 2017.

CHAPTER 29

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

At 1 p.m. on Fox: The spokeswoman’s comments may be viewed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/UshUxz7Lt0w.

At 1:19 p.m. Trump tweeted: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/896420822780444672.

Later in the afternoon: Donald J. Trump, “Remarks on Signing the VA Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017 in Bedminster, New Jersey,” August 12, 2017. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=128032; and author review of contemporaneous notes by a participant.

“Very important for the nation”: Kristine Phillips, “Trump Didn’t Call Out White Supremacists. He Was Rebuked by Members of His Own Party,” The Washington Post, August 13, 2017.

“Mr. President—we must call evil”: Ibid.

“My brother didn’t give his life”: Ibid.

In a statement, Senator John McCain: Ibid.

House Speaker Paul Ryan tweeted: Ibid.

Mitt Romney tweeted: Ibid.

Republican senator Lindsey Graham appeared: Fox News Sunday transcript, Fox News, August 13, 2017.

Vice President Pence added: Philip Rucker, “Pence: ‘We Have No Tolerance for… White Supremacists, Neo-Nazis or the KKK,” The Washington Post, August 13, 2017.

Shortly after 12:30 p.m.: Donald J. Trump, “Remarks on the Situation in Charlottesville, Virginia,” August 14, 2017. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=128019.

Rob O’Neill, a former Navy SEAL: “Trump Condemns Hate Groups Amid Uproar over Initial Response,” transcript, Fox News, August 14, 2017.

CHAPTER 30

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

At the press briefing: Donald J. Trump, “Remarks on Infrastructure and an Exchange with Reporters in New York City,” August 15, 2017. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=126765.

David Duke, the well-known former Ku Klux Klan leader: View Duke’s tweet at https://twitter.com/drdavidduke/status/897559892164304896.

The leaders of each branch: Ben Watson, “How U.S. Military Leaders Are Reacting to Charlottesville,” Defense One, August 16, 2017.

On CBS, Stephen Colbert joked darkly: Emily Yahr, “‘Clinically Insane,’ ‘7th Circle of Hell’: Late-Night Hosts Process Trump’s News Conference,” The Washington Post, August 16, 2017.

Kenneth Frazier, the head of Merck: Nolan D. McCaskill, “Trump Attacks Merck CEO for Quitting Manufacturing Council over Charlottesville,” Politico, August 14, 2017.

Now that Frazier had resigned: Ibid.

Still stewing, in a second Twitter swipe: Ibid.

On Tuesday, August 15, Trump tweeted: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/897478270442143744.

Trump preempted further resignations: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/897869174323728385.

On Friday, August 18: Author review of contemporaneous notes.

The next Monday at the White House: Ibid.

Mnuchin had put out a statement: “Statement by U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, August 19, 2017.

Cohn chose to make his views known: “Transcript: Gary Cohn on Tax Reform and Charlottesville,” Financial Times, August 25, 2017.

CHAPTER 31

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

Republican senator Bob Corker: “Republican Senator Says Trump Yet to Demonstrate Needed Stability,” Reuters, August 17, 2017.

And Politico had run a long piece: Nancy Cook and Josh Dawsey, “‘He Is Stubborn and Doesn’t Realize How Bad This Is Getting,’” Politico, August 16, 2017.

“President Trump, by asking”: Jeremy W. Peters, Jonathan Martin and Jack Healy, “Trump’s Embrace of Racially Charged Past Puts Republicans in Crisis,” The New York Times, August 16, 2017.

Vice President Mike Pence: View Pence’s tweet at https://twitter.com/vp/status/896471461669605376.

“Off the record,” Trump said: Author review of contemporaneous notes by a participant.

Bannon had just given an interview: Robert Kuttner, “Steve Bannon, Unrepentant,” The American Prospect, August 16, 2017.

A nationally televised Afghanistan strategy speech: Donald J. Trump: “Address to the Nation on United States Strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia,” August 21, 2017. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=126842.

John McCain commented: “McCain on the New Strategy for Afghanistan,” August 21, 2017.

Democratic senator and Clinton running mate: “Kaine: U.S. Must Be ‘Invested’ in Afghanistan,” Talking Points Memo, August 21, 2017.

He addressed the Taliban: Aaron Blake, “Rex Tillerson Totally Undercut Trump’s ‘We Will Win’ Rhetoric on Afghanistan,” The Washington Post, August 22, 2017.

CHAPTER 32

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

Trump had in his hands: Author obtained document.

Trump assembled a group: Author review of contemporaneous notes by a participant.

Trump announced the end: Michael D. Shear and Julie Hirschfeld Davis, “Trump Moves to End DACA and Calls on Congress to Act,” The New York Times, September 5, 2017.

Two days later he tried to calm: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/905788459301908480.

CHAPTER 33

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

Trump had finally agreed to sign: Donald J. Trump, “Memorandum on Addressing China’s Laws, Policies, Practices, and Actions Related to Intellectual Property, Innovation, and Technology,” August 14, 2017. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=128023.

In his public remarks: Donald J. Trump, “Remarks on Signing a Memorandum on Addressing China’s Laws, Policies, Practices, and Actions Related to Intellectual Property, Innovation, and Technology and an Exchange with Reporters,” August 14, 2017. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=128022. Note that Trump delivered these remarks on August 14, the same day as his second set of remarks on Charlottesville. His Charlottesville speech was at 12:40 p.m. and his remarks on China were at 3:06 p.m.

Kelly decided he was going to assert: Author review of contemporaneous notes by a participant.

CHAPTER 34

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

In May he said he would be: Ashley Parker and Anne Gearan, “President Trump Says He Would Be ‘Honored’ to Meet with North Korean Dictator,” The Washington Post, May 1, 2017.

In August he told the press: Donald J. Trump, “Remarks Prior to a Briefing on the Opioid Crisis and an Exchange with Reporters in Bedminster, New Jersey,” August 8, 2017. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=127991.

But the president summed up his position: “Excerpts from Trump’s Interview with the Times,” interview conducted by Michael S. Schmidt, The New York Times, December 28, 2017.

On September 19, 2017, President Trump gave: Donald. J. Trump, “Remarks to the United Nations General Assembly in New York City,” September 19, 2017. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=128326.

Kim fired back three days later: “Full Text of Kim Jong-un’s Response to President Trump,” The New York Times, September 22, 2017.

In a tweet on September 23: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/911789314169823232.

For weeks, Tillerson had been: Arit John and Mark Niquette, “Tillerson Vows ‘Peaceful Pressure Campaign’ Against North Korea,” Bloomberg, September 17, 2017.

On October 1, months after Tillerson: View Trump’s tweets at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/914497877543735296; https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/914497947517227008.

In November, Trump saw Chris Crane: See Crane’s letter summarizing the ICE agents’ complaints at https://jicreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/POTUS-Ltr-11_13_2017.pdf.

The nomination was sent to the Senate: Ashley Parker and Matt Zapotosky, “Trump Taps Kirstjen Nielsen to Lead Department of Homeland Security,” The Washington Post, October 11, 2017.

The president saw that Fox News: Andrew Restuccia and Eliana Johnson, “Advisers Bad-Mouth Nielsen as a ‘Never Trumper,’” Politico, May 11, 2018.

At her confirmation hearing: Ibid.

Kelly appeared on Fox News’s Bret Baier: Sophie Tatum, “Kelly on Immigration: Trump ‘Has Changed the Way He’s Looked at a Number of Things,’” CNN, January 17, 2018.

“I talked with the president”: Author review of contemporaneous notes by a participant.

“I’m the only thing protecting the president”: Ibid.

In a small group meeting in his office: Ibid.

CHAPTER 35

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

Cohn knew that was crazy: A leaked copy of Trump’s 2005 tax return showed he had paid $38 million on more than $150 million income for that year—a rate of about 25 percent. View the document at https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/03/14/us/politics/document-Donald-Trump-2005-Tax.html.

As the tax negotiations intensified: Saleha Mohsin, “Mnuchin Crosses the U.S. Trying to Sell the GOP Tax Plan,” Bloomberg, November 16, 2017.

During the 2012 presidential campaign: Molly Moorhead, “Mitt Romney Says 47 Percent of Americans Pay No Income Tax,” PolitiFact, September 18, 2012.

While most of the 44 percent: Roberton C. Williams, “A Closer Look at Those Who Pay No Income or Payroll Taxes,” Tax Policy Center, July 11, 2016.

Their income was so low: In 2013 the EITC cost the federal Treasury $63 billion, according to PolitiFact. The Child Tax Credit cost $57 billion in 2013 according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

The bill, however, would reduce taxes: Howard Gleckman, “How the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Evolved,” Tax Policy Center, December 28, 2017.

Republican leaders and Trump celebrated: Donald J. Trump, “Remarks on Congressional Passage of Tax Reform Legislation,” December 20, 2017. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=129018.

CHAPTER 36

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

In a long statement, rather than a tweet: Donald J. Trump, “Statement on Former White House Chief Strategist Stephen K. Bannon,” January 3, 2018. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=128962.

Bannon was appalled by: The National Security Strategy may be viewed online at https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/NSS-Final-12-18-2017-0905.pdf.

Most compromising for Trump: Donald J. Trump, “Remarks and a Question and Answer Session at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland,” January 26, 2018. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=128980.

The New York Times headline had been: Peter S. Goodman and Keith Bradsher, “Trump Arrived in Davos as a Party Wrecker. He Leaves Praised as a Pragmatist,” The New York Times, January 26, 2018.

“It’s not a mere threat”: Peter Baker and Michael Tackett, “Trump Says His ‘Nuclear Button’ Is ‘Much Bigger’ Than North Korea’s,” The New York Times, January 2, 2018.

Lingering after receiving: Author review of contemporaneous notes by a participant.

That evening, Trump sent a taunting: Peter Baker and Michael Tackett, “Trump Says His ‘Nuclear Button’ Is ‘Much Bigger’ Than North Korea’s,” The New York Times, January 2, 2018.

The Washington Post’s Twitter account rushed: View the Post’s tweet at https://twitter.com/washingtonpost/status/948380549156098052.

Colin Kahl, Obama’s former deputy: View Kahl’s tweet at https://twitter.com/colinkahl/status/948395216213626881.

Others recalled Hillary Clinton’s: Hillary Clinton, “Address Accepting the Presidential Nomination at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,” July 28, 2016. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=118051.

A writer for the conservative Washington Examiner: Tom Rogan, “Trump’s ‘Nuclear Button’ Tweet About North Korea Was Good,” Washington Examiner, January 3, 2018.

On December 3, before Trump and Kim’s war: “Transcript: Sen. Lindsey Graham on ‘Face the Nation,’” December 3, 2017.

CHAPTER 37

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

McMaster set up a National Security Council meeting: Author review of contemporaneous notes by a participant.

When I first learned of the details: Interview with President Barack H. Obama, July 10, 2010.

CHAPTER 38

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

Azerbaijan president Ilham Aliyev: “President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev Met President Donald Trump,” U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan, September 21, 2017, https://az.usembassy.gov/president-azerbaijan-ilham-aliyev-met-president-donald-trump/.

On February 7, 2018, McMaster convened: Author review of contemporaneous notes by a participant.

Early in 2018, 60 Minutes broadcast: “16 Years Later, Afghan Capital Under Siege,” 60 Minutes, CBS, January 11, 2018.

In the last nine days: Pamela Constable, “A String of Deadly Attacks in Afghanistan Exposes Government Weakness, Limits of U.S. Training Effort,” The Washington Post, January 29, 2018.

On Afghanistan, Trump told Porter: In April 2018, in order to win an important vote for Mike Pompeo to become secretary of state, Trump had this to say to Senator Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky. According to Paul, “The president told me over and over again in general we’re getting the hell out of there.”

CHAPTER 39

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

In a tweet Graham said: View Graham’s tweet at https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/939988068823715842.

According to Comey, Trump had said: Comey’s June 8, 2017, testimony to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence is available at https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/3860393/Comey-Opening-Statement-June-8.pdf.

On December 29, 2017, Trump’s tweet: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/946731576687235072.

The president called a meeting: Donald J. Trump, “Remarks in a Meeting with Members of Congress on Immigration Reform and an Exchange with Reporters,” January 9, 2018. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=128934.

In a statement, he was exuberant: View Graham’s tweet at https://twitter.com/LindseyGrahamSC/status/950800026401492992.

The New York Times: “Trump Appears”: Julie Hirschfeld Davis and Sheryl Gay Stolberg, “Trump Appears to Endorse Path to Citizenship for Millions of Immigrants,” The New York Times, January 9, 2018.

The Washington Post: “At the table”: Ashley Parker and Philip Rucker, “55 Minutes at the Table: Trump Tries to Negotiate and Prove Stability,” The Washington Post, January 9, 2018.

Durbin went public: John Byrne and Katherine Skiba, “Sen. Dick Durbin: President Trump Used ‘Hate-Filled, Vile and Racist’ Language in Immigration Meeting,” Chicago Tribune, January 12, 2018; Josh Dawsey, “Trump Derides Protections for Immigrants from ‘Shithole’ Countries,” The Washington Post, January 12, 2018.

On January 21, Graham attacked Miller: Elana Schor, “Graham Tees Off on Stephen Miller over Immigration,” Politico, January 21, 2018.

On Friday morning, February 23, 2018: Donald J. Trump, “Remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Maryland,” February 23, 2018. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=129472.

He then repeated one of his favorite: The story is an appropriation of lyrics by radical black singer, songwriter and activist Oscar Brown Jr. done repeatedly on the campaign trail to the harsh criticism of the Brown family.

He was in Africa: Peter Baker, Gardiner Harris and Mark Landler, “Trump Fires Rex Tillerson and Will Replace Him with CIA Chief Pompeo,” The New York Times, March 13, 2018.

The morning of March 13: Ibid.

Trump told reporters on the South Lawn: Donald J. Trump, “Remarks on the Nomination of Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Michael R. Pompeo to Be Secretary of State, the Termination of Rex W. Tillerson as Secretary of State, and the Nomination of Gina C. Haspel to be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and an Exchange with Reporters Upon Departure for San Diego, California,” March 13, 2018. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=129510.

CHAPTER 40

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

“I’d be embarrassed if this is still haunting”: Karen Freifeld, “White House Lawyer Cobb Predicts Quick End to Mueller Probe,” Reuters, August 18, 2017.

In December a story ran: “Mueller’s Trump-Russia Investigation Engulfs Deutsche,” Handelsblatt, December 5, 2017.

On March 31, Trump had tweeted: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/847766558520856578.

“He made a contemporaneous memorandum”: Comey’s memos are available at https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/4442900/Ex-FBI-Director-James-Comey-s-memos.pdf.

CHAPTER 41

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

In a meeting in January 2018: Author review of contemporaneous notes by a participant.

Each, one to the press and one in a blog: MJ Lee and Kevin Liptak, “Former White House Aide’s Ex-Wives Detail Abuse Allegations,” CNN, February 8, 2018; Colbie Holderness, “Rob Porter Is My Ex-Husband. Here’s What You Should Know About Abuse,” The Washington Post, February 12, 2018; Felicia Gans, “Jennifer Willoughby Called Rob Porter’s Alleged Abuse ‘Insidious’ Last Year,” Boston Globe, February 10, 2018.

The New York Times wrote: Maggie Haberman and Katie Rogers, “Abuse Claims End Star’s Rise in White House,” The New York Times, February 8, 2016, p. A1; Katie Rogers, “Aide’s Clean-Cut Image Belied His Hot Temper, Former Colleagues Say,” The New York Times, February 20, 2018, p. A14.

In a statement, Porter said: Josh Dawsey, Beth Reinhard and Elsie Viebeck, “Senior White House Official to Resign After Ex-Wives’ Allegations of Abuse,” The Washington Post, February 7, 2018.

“Peoples lives are being shattered”: View Trump’s tweet at https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/962348831789797381.

The Washington Post editorial board: “The White House Shrugged Off Domestic Violence. It’s Not Alone,” The Washington Post, February 8, 2018; Mark Landler, “Trump, Saying ‘Mere Allegation’ Ruins Lives, Appears to Doubt #MeToo Movement,” The New York Times, February 10, 2018.

More than a dozen executives showed up: Donald J. Trump, “Remarks at a Listening Session with Steel and Aluminum Industry Leaders and an Exchange with Reporters,” March 1, 2018. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=129484.

“Gary Cohn to Resign as Trump Adviser”: Justin Sink, Jennifer Jacobs, Dakin Campbell and Shannon Pettypiece, “Gary Cohn to Resign as Trump Adviser After Dispute over Tariffs,” Bloomberg, March 6, 2018.

“Gary Cohn Resigns Amid Differences”: Damian Paletta and Philip Rucker, “Gary Cohn, Trump’s Top Economic Adviser, to Resign Amid Differences on Trade Policy,” The Washington Post, March 7, 2018.

“Gary Cohn Resigns, Apparently over Tariffs”: Derek Thompson, “Gary Cohn Resigns, Apparently over Tariffs,” The Atlantic, March 6, 2018.

“Gary Cohn Resigns as White House”: Nick Timiraos, Peter Nicholas and Liz Hoffman, “Gary Cohn Resigns as White House Economic Adviser After Losing Tariffs Fight,” The Wall Street Journal, March 6, 2018.

“You just upped the ante to $150 billion”: Bob Davis, “Trump Weighs Tariffs on $100 Billion More of Chinese Goods,” The Wall Street Journal, April 5, 2018. Bossert and Trump met on April 6, 2018.

The Chinese had announced they would retaliate: Ibid.

Bossert was ready with his talking points: “Transcript of This Week,” ABC News, April 8, 2018.

CHAPTER 42

The information in this chapter comes primarily from multiple deep background interviews with firsthand sources.

Dowd and Cobb had been quoted: Michael S. Schmidt, Matt Apuzzo and Maggie Haberman, “Mueller Is Said to Seek Interviews with West Wing in Russia Case,” The New York Times, August 12, 2017.

“You did it to Flynn, you did it to Gates”: Jeremy Herb, Evan Perez, Marshall Cohen, Pamela Brown and Shimon Prokupecz, “Ex-Trump Campaign Adviser Pleads Guilty to Making False Statement,” CNN, October 31, 2017; Carrie Johnson, “Rick Gates Pleads Guilty and Begins Cooperating with Mueller’s Russia Investigation,” NPR, February 23, 2018.

Mueller’s team, Quarles and three others: Read Mueller’s questions, obtained by The New York Times in April 2018, at https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/30/us/politics/questions-mueller-wants-to-ask-trump-russia.html.

Dowd had represented Rajaratnam: Peter Lattman, “Galleon Chief Sentenced to 11-Year Term in Insider Case,” The New York Times, October 13, 2011.