Here is an interesting speculation that the “I Am Part of the Resistance” essayist was Mike Pence
I can’t say that I’m persuaded, but it’s a pretty strong case. It’s also interesting that Trump can’t fire Pence even if he wants to. He can fire Sessions, Rosenstein or Mueller, for example, although those decisions might have repercussions, but Pence does not work for him, and can’t be removed by any means other than impeachment.
My suspect:
Kevin Hassett (Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers) was a college professor, has a Ph.D., and like the author of the op-ed, worshiped John McCain. He is also, again like the author, a staunch free trade advocate. He’s also an experienced op-ed writer. Furthermore, he heard the word “lodestar” at McCain’s funeral (spoken by Kissinger).
As for motive? He could be mighty pissed off at Trump’s disrespect for McCain or his foolish tariff wars.
Hassett is also smart enough to use “lodestar” to shift suspicion on Pence, although I think he’s more likely to be writing in his own voice. (That would make “lodestar” a red herring, placed in somebody’s head by the McCain funeral.)
The Times made an introduction to the essay and specifically referred to the essayist as “he,” but the paper later, perhaps disingenuously, said that was a mistake.