US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has denied writing a newspaper article that described Donald Trump as "erratic" and "amoral".

The anonymous piece in The New York Times said "a quiet resistance" within the Trump administration was working to thwart some of the president's "worst inclinations".

It added that the "erratic behaviour would be more concerning if it weren't for unsung heroes in and around the White House".

The writer claimed: "The root of the problem is the president's amorality.

"Anyone who works with him knows he is not moored to any discernible first principles that guide his decision-making."


Mr Pompeo told reporters in New Delhi the article was "not mine", adding that "it shouldn't surprise anyone" that The New York Times chose to print "such a piece".

He said the paper should not have opted "to take a disgruntled, deceptive, bad actor's word for anything".

Does the so-called “Senior Administration Official” really exist, or is it just the Failing New York Times with another phony source? If the GUTLESS anonymous person does indeed exist, the Times must, for National Security purposes, turn him/her over to government at once! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2018

The New York Times argued that publishing the article was the "only way to deliver an important perspective" to its readers.

But Mr Pompeo claimed the media was trying to undermine the Trump administration - something he found "incredibly disturbing".

A debate on social media focused on the author's use of the word "lodestar", which is heard in speeches by vice president Mike Pence.

Further discussion pondered whether the word had been included to lay a false trail.

Image: Mike Pompeo has denied calling Donald Trump 'amoral'

In a tweet, Mr Trump described the anonymous writer as "gutless".

He wrote: "Does the so-called 'Senior Administration Official' really exist, or is it just the Failing New York Times with another phony source?

"The Times must, for National Security purposes, turn him/her over to government at once!"

Speaking at an event at the White House, the president said of the paper: "They don't like Donald Trump and I don't like them."

Mr Trump has apparently demanded that his aides identify the writer.

There is speculation it is a man, because in a tweet, the New York Times described the writer as "he".

However, the paper later said the tweet had been "drafted by someone who is not aware of the author's identity, including the gender, so the use of 'he' was an error".

White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the "coward" behind the piece should "do the right thing and resign".

The paper should "issue an apology", she added, describing it as a "pathetic, reckless, and selfish op-ed".