Anti-government activist and Obama “green” czar Van Jones resigned at midnight Saturday. The resignation followed revelations from “bloggers” who discovered that Jones supported the 9/11 “truther” movement. The movement alleges that government agencies purposely let the 9/11 attacks happen. Some of the questions Jones signed on to also insinuate government responsibility for the attacks or for the destruction of the Twin Towers.

Van Jones was involved with the “truther” movement since at least 2002 and through at least 2004, signing statements and joining groups alleging that government pilots might have been in actual control of the planes, or that the tower collapses were assisted by government agents.

These revelations come at a time when the Obama administration is trying to convince voters to trust government agencies. The accusations by Mr. Jones that government agencies might form de facto “death panels” that let U.S. citizens die or even cause their death could harm these efforts.

“We need voters to trust that the government is here to help,” said President Obama. “There is no room in my administration for people who believe that government agencies will allow thousands of people to die, whether because of incompetence or ideology. Therefore, I have accepted Van Jones’s resignation.”

Some right-wing Republicans blamed the scandal on the “czar process”, which doesn’t require congressional approval for appointments. But the President blamed the New York Times for the abrupt dismissal. “The Times should have done a better job of vetting my appointments,” said the President. “I didn’t even know there was a problem until I saw Van Jones’s resignation this morning. They need to get on the ball.”