Monica Crowley, a conservative commentator who was set to join President-elect Trump’s administration as a senior aide who has been under fire for plagiarism in her book and Ph.D. thesis, will not join the administration.
The Washington Times reported Crowley has decided to leave Trump’s team in order to pursue other opportunities in New York.
“After much reflection I have decided to remain in New York to pursue other opportunities and will not be taking a position in the incoming administration,” she said in a statement. “I greatly appreciate being asked to be part of President-elect Trump’s team and I will continue to enthusiastically support him and his agenda for American renewal.”
Crowley was going to serve as a senior communications aide to retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, Trump’s incoming national security adviser.
However, she had been under fire after CNN found more than 50 instances of plagiarism in her book. Politico then revealed she had used plagiarized material in her Ph.D. thesis, and CNN counted about 40 stolen passages.
Crowley did not allude to the allegations on Monday and is yet to comment on them. Her book has been pulled while she edits it and gives proper credit to the original writers.
“The NSC will miss the opportunity to have Monica Crowley as part of our team. We wish her all the best in her future,” Flynn said in a statement.
