I talked to Byrne, VA former dep sec. We talked about what everyone else is talking about but also talked about VA’s opinion of the press. Which should be alarming.

He said @DeptVetAffairs would often make fun of reporters and purposefully be difficult, “they would be cute drafting quotes, split hairs...and be dishonest. It was a game...the media is the evil empire to them.”

We also talked about Wilkie's other aspirations, he openly wanted to be Def Sec, not run VA. "He checked out a long time ago. He was barely engaged. And he wanted to be the Sec Def no doubt about that. No doubt. And that's why he was always trashing Esper."

Byrne described an erratic Wilkie. He thought the Dem staffer's sexual assault at a DC VA was a vast conspiracy from @RepMarkTakano, Pelosi and "the Democrats." This was happening too Wilkie.

Wilkie got what he thought was dirt on the staffer. He wanted Byrne to get it out. This confused him because Byrne doesn't handle media, Wilkie gave no specific instructions.

Byrne on what Wilkie said: "I got you confirmed as my dep. I got you confirmed. And a good deputy protects his secretary, does his dirty work for him. I need you to get this information out."

In short, to Byrne, he was suddenly fired for two reasons. Mainly that Wilkie was going to be fired, and Byrne was going to be the next secretary. And Byrne strained the relationship and was on thin ice for not going along with the conspiracy.

When I asked Byrne why he's choosing now to talk to the press, he said he didn't want to do it right away to not appear like a disgruntled employee and also didn't want to interfere in the election at all.