# The argument that Trump will do whatever he wants and no one can stop him is really fucking boring **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [December 12, 2024, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527 "2024-12-12T02:36:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 27
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2025, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/521 "2025-03-15T13:31:43Z")
Look-Another “victory”! [Appeals Court Lifts Block On Trump’s Orders Restricting DEI Programs | HuffPost Latest News](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ap-us-trump-diversity-order_n_67d4ccf8e4b0a37116af0a66?d_id=8842227&ref=bffbhuffpost&ncid_tag=fcbklnkushpmg00000063&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=us_main&fbclid=IwY2xjawJCYAtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXpRgBGtY1gokxEd0M8MUKJR0IGozMN2O4M3TNPG6JpqJgqhQH13RdbAZA_aem_BqtheOOXFL6gIOUtMXbykg) ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/522 "2025-03-16T21:18:46Z")
> [@Mijin](#): > > I thought I had chased off the straw men ~150 posts ago: > > > [@Mijin](#): > > > > **Nobody** is saying everything will be OK, nothing to worry about under this administration > > **Nobody** is saying let’s just panic and lay down and do nothing > [@Czarcasm](#): > > You did, but that is the only argument some people have, so they are forced to use it. ^The essence of this thread in a mere two posts. Save 519! . . . As for “the courts HAVE this” as a comforter to those still clinging to It Can’t Happen Here: > [@](#): > > # U.S. deports hundreds of Venezuelans to El Salvador, despite court order > > Updated March 16, 20254:56 PM (I quoted the headline because the Internet is being weird—just here, I hope.) [https://www.npr.org/2025/03/16/g-s1-54154/alien-enemies-el-salvador-trump](https://www.npr.org/2025/03/16/g-s1-54154/alien-enemies-el-salvador-trump) ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2025, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/523 "2025-03-16T23:22:47Z")
The taste of “victory”. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/524 "2025-03-17T03:43:49Z")
More and more, court orders don’t mean jack shit: [Brown Medicine professor, doctor deported to Lebanon despite having valid visa, court filings claim](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/news/content/ar-AA1B2O3r?ocid=BingNewsSerp) ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/525 "2025-03-17T08:28:48Z")
A few hours ago Trump tweeted (Xed?, Truthed? Not sure if the correct verb) that he was voiding all of the pardons issued by Biden during the latter’s final days in office. Voice Of America was shuttered today due to its “radical” and “anti-Trump” (yes, the official WH statement used the words “anti-Trump”) programming. I’m just curious about whether the OP is still really fucking bored. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/526 "2025-03-17T08:37:17Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > A few hours ago Trump tweeted (Xed?, Truthed? Not sure if the correct verb) that he was voiding all of the pardons issued by Biden during the latter’s final days in office. I’m 100% sure that that’s not even remotely something the president has the power to do. ETA: Here’s the tweet; > **[Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump)](https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114175908922736427)** > > The “Pardons” that Sleepy Joe Biden gave to the Unselect Committee of Political Thugs, and many others, are hereby declared VOID, VACANT, AND OF NO FURTHER FORCE OR EFFECT, because of the fact that they were done by Autopen. In other words, Joe Biden... [![](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ovyajbnegrir2ddtwfhijiob/bafkreih2j5cfemc5cjsq7bblbvrxisgvgrxx3cmbgr7evwjerb2siz3twi@jpeg) ](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ovyajbnegrir2ddtwfhijiob/bafkreih2j5cfemc5cjsq7bblbvrxisgvgrxx3cmbgr7evwjerb2siz3twi@jpeg) He’s completely wrong about this - almost every president since Truman has used autopens to sign official documents including legislation, and the DOJ issued an opinion in 2005 that it was completely legal and constitutional to do so. Snopes even debunked this a few days ago; > **[Biden may have signed documents with autopen — like many presidents before him](https://www.snopes.com/news/2025/03/13/biden-autopen-signature-documents/)** > > U.S. presidents have used autopens since Thomas Jefferson; the first to use an autopen to sign a law was Barack Obama. Nothing will come of this. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/527 "2025-03-17T08:52:39Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I’m 100% sure that that’s not even remotely something the president has the power to do. Since when has Trump _cared_ about that? ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/528 "2025-03-17T22:15:48Z")
Ever notice how Trump’s arguments are just like a grade school kid’s? “The teacher didn’t write my report card, the auto pen wrote it! So that F isn’t valid! Waaaah!” > [@Smapti](#): > > He’s completely wrong about this - almost every president since Truman has used autopens to sign official documents including legislation, and the DOJ issued an opinion in 2005 that it was completely legal and constitutional to do so. So does this mean he’s been stopped? Or does it mean he’ll have to find another excuse? Because I am sure he can find another one. “Since Joe Biden stole the Presidency in 2020, all of his executive orders are null and void”. That’s such low hanging fruit I’m somewhat amazed he didn’t start with that one. I’m sure that like any child he can come up with an endless list of reasons why Biden is a poo-poo head and nothing Biden ever did counts for anything. This of course assumes he feels the need to replace one excuse with another. He might just stomp his feet and say everyone else is wrong. That has paid huge dividends for him in the past. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/529 "2025-03-17T22:19:01Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > “Since Joe Biden stole the Presidency in 2020, all of his executive orders are null and void”. Executive orders are just directives on how the Cabinet departments should execute the law - they do not have force of law themselves and can be revoked by any subsequent president, so it would be fully within his power to do so. At this point it’s pretty much tradition that the first act of an incoming president is to either reinstate or rescind the Mexico City Policy depending on what party they are, for instance. > **[Mexico City policy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico_City_policy)** > > The Mexico City policy, sometimes referred to by its critics as the global gag rule, is a United States government policy blocking U.S. federal funding for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) providing abortion counseling or referrals, advocated to decriminalize abortion, or expanded abortion services. When in effect, the Mexico City policy is a U.S. government policy that requires foreign non-governmental organizations to certify that they will not "perform or actively promote abortion as a Th... > [@](#): > > The Mexico City policy was first implemented on January 20, 1985, by the second Reagan administration. Since that time, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has enforced the policy during all subsequent Republican administrations and has rescinded the policy at the direction of all Democratic administrations. After its initial implementation by Republican President Ronald Reagan in 1985, the policy was rescinded in 1993 by Democratic President Bill Clinton, reinstated in 2001 by Republican President George W. Bush, rescinded in 2009 by Democratic President Barack Obama, reinstated in 2017 by Republican President Donald Trump, rescinded in 2021 by Democratic President Joe Biden, and reinstated in 2025 by Trump again. Pardons, on the other hand, are irrevocable and not subject to judicial review. There’s nothing he can do to un-pardon anyone no matter who he yells at about it. His particular objection to the use of an autopen is particularly stupid, because if non-handwritten signatures are no longer valid than pretty much everyone who’s applied for a credit card in the last quarter-century is now debt-free. ---
**Author:** ![natureboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@natureboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/natureboy)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/530 "2025-03-17T22:39:34Z")
He’s not necessarily trying to reverse the pardon; he’s laying the groundwork for ignoring the pardon, and ignoring the parts of the Constitution he doesn’t like. And he’s daring the Legislative and the Judicial Branches to stop him. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/531 "2025-03-17T22:59:46Z")
Well, if there is part of the process that says it isn’t subject to judicial review, that’s the only part Trump needs. He decides the previous ones aren’t valid because he’s the President so he’s the only one who gets to make that decision (see also classified documents, Trump’s handling of) and when some court tries to step in they get reminded that they aren’t invited. It’s the kind of rules-lawyering Trump loves. “He can’t do it” versus “no one can stop him” seems to favor Trump if not all the time then certainly far more often than it should. How this one will play out depends on how badly he feels the urge to throw Liz Cheney in jail I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2025, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/532 "2025-03-17T23:27:11Z")
This kind of got my attention. He isn’t even pretending any more. > **[This Telling Interaction During Trump's Speech Revealed Who Is His Most Vital...](https://www.yahoo.com/news/donald-trump-rips-mask-off-164909505.html)** > > All of Trump’s actions in his second term must be seen through the lens of his comment to Roberts at the address to Congress. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2025, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/533 "2025-03-18T11:13:42Z")
> [@Tatterdemalion](#): > > This kind of got my attention. He isn’t even pretending any more.. > > [Donald Trump Rips The Mask Off Of John Roberts’ Court In One Sentence](https://www.yahoo.com/news/donald-trump-rips-mask-off-164909505.html) > [@](#): > > “Thank you, I won’t forget it. What’s the over/under he forgets it the first time Roberts rules against him? ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2025, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/534 "2025-03-18T14:50:57Z")
I think setting odds would require actual uncertainty. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2025, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/535 "2025-03-19T08:44:27Z")
I’ll say one thing: if I internalized everything I read online (both here and elsewhere), I would’ve blown up my life by now in some unreversable way. I’m sure most of the people who post the kinds of things I’m thinking of would say that they’re not trying to influence others to take such extreme measures, but I’d hope they at least acknowledge the effective result. To deny that would seem like MAGA level denial to me. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2025, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/536 "2025-03-21T06:10:58Z")
Sometimes I wonder if people forget that we’re all just average bears, and our guesses - while educated - carry no more validity than anyone else’s. I fall into the catastrophe stew myself sometimes; how can one not? I don’t “know” that anyone can stop donnie and his minions, but I’m doing my small part, I’m sure many others here are doing theirs. Lot’s of resistance is unfolding across the country and, as insulated as we can be sometimes, we are not alone in this fight. In these unprecedented times, it’s natural that some will choose fear and resignation. I hope they remain in the minority. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2025, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/537 "2025-03-21T06:34:03Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](#): > > Sometimes I wonder if people forget that we’re all just average bears, and our guesses - while educated - carry no more validity than anyone else’s. When you’ve been shoved off a high cliff you don’t _need_ to be all that perceptive to realize that you’ll be hurt when you hit bottom. ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2025, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/538 "2025-03-21T10:39:28Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > When you’ve been shoved off a high cliff you don’t _need_ to be all that perceptive to realize that you’ll be hurt when you hit bottom. So said The 300. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gYb9sRLUDyM/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEmCOADEOgC8quKqQMa8AEB-AH-BIAC4AOKAgwIABABGGUgZShlMA8=&rs=AOn4CLC7YqBbsIGM4BjbzeO5fNNbUEoC4Q "Do You Hear the People Sing? (+ reprise) Lyrics") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYb9sRLUDyM) ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2025, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/539 "2025-03-22T07:47:25Z")
It isn’t that nobody _can_ stop Trump, it’s that the ones can stop Trump **won’t**. I’m referring to the legislative branch, all the members of which should be standing as one against Trump’s trespassing on functions which rightfully belong to the legislaure alone. But the Republican members are so blindly loyal to Trump that the checks and balances ain’t checking and balancing. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2025, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527/540 "2025-03-23T01:38:11Z")
> [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](#): > > It isn’t that nobody _can_ stop Trump, it’s that the ones can stop Trump **won’t**. I would say even that is only true to a limited extent, and only for now. Yes if all senior republicans in unison decided Trump has gone to far and make a public attempt to block him, it might be effective. But, in the real world, no-one wants to be the first to put their head over the parapet. And, as time goes by, it gets ever more risky. Plus of course most of the principled people resigned or retired already. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527.md?page=26) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-argument-that-trump-will-do-whatever-he-wants-and-no-one-can-stop-him-is-really-fucking-boring/1011527.md?page=28)