I have another theory on this NYT article....Trump or his people are known to orchestrate some of these things so he can turn around and knock the credibility of the media.
But the NYT may have inadvertently given Trump some basis to end the Mueller investigation....here is a "deep state" "never-Trumper" admitting to actively obstructing and resisting the POTUS. That is what Trump has claimed is real purpose of the Russia investigation.
So again is there an ulterior motive behind this article? You write an article attacking Trump, while at the same time throwing gasoline on the fire of one his biggest claims about the media and deep state undermining him. You could have gotten the same points across without making that particular point. Doesn't seem too smart, unless it's intentional. Heck, maybe the purpose is to trick Trump into thinking it's cover/basis to end the Mueller investigation.