Kellyanne Conway says that the anti-trump editorial is illegal, but that she has no idea why

Kellyanne Conway said an anonymous New York Times controversial editorial was illegal, but she has "no idea" why.

President Donald Trump's advisor spoke to CNN's Jake Tapper during State of the Union Sunday program on the article, which was released last week by a senior administration official unknown. During his interview, Conway requested an investigation of the article, claiming that the Justice Department had to check if there was a "criminal activity".

Tapper backed away, saying there was nothing illegal.

"I do not know it and I do not think you know it," said Conway, Mediaite reports. But she remained vague when asked what crime had been committed.

Washington, August 21: US President Donald Kellyanne Conway's advisor speaks at an interview with Fox News Channel at the White House's James Brady Newsroom on August 21 in Washington, DC
Alex Wong / Getty Images

"Whoever would do that, you do not know what else they say," Conway said. "But there is a difference between administrative action as I understand it and the criminal action."

When Tapper asked him to accurately explain what criminal action could be investigated, Conway said, "I have no idea".

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"Let's not look at the four corners of the editorial or the four corners of anyone's book to say that's all we know. That's the whole point, "she said.

The controversial opinion described how members of the administration worked regularly to minimize the damage caused by the president's "instability".

"The administration of people who choose to put the country in the foreground is met with unobtrusive resistance," wrote the anonymous administration official.

Many members of the senior administration have denied writing the article, politicians and experts speculating on the possible source. An analysis of Wikileaks suggested that the author was probably an older conservative man. Bookmakers have also published betting odds on possible officials. Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon said on Sunday that the editorial revealed that a "coup d'etat" was underway within the administration.

Responding angrily to the article, Trump suggested The New York Times used a "bogus source", wondering if the anonymous author even exists. The president also argued that the newspaper should reveal the identity of the individual, saying that it is a question of national security.

"Return it to the government immediately!", He tweeted.

Asked directly by NBC last week, if she had written the editorial, Conway denied doing it right away, saying "of course not."