Summary

The book begins with an introduction by the anonymous author, who is a senior official in the Trump administration. The author begins the introduction with an anecdote about the death of U.S. Senator John McCain. Politicians from both of the major political parties praised McCain’s principles, his military service, and his distinguished service in the Senate. Meanwhile, President Trump said extremely petty things about McCain. Trump held a petty grudge against McCain ever since McCain rescinded his endorsement for Trump’s candidacy for president. The author believes Donald Trump to be wholly incompetent, and thus the main reason that the author has remained in the administration is to try to curb Trump’s poor decisions and impulses. The author says that Trump officials with these goals comprise the Steady State. The author has chosen to remain anonymous so that no one...