# The current second Trump administration: a compendium of horrors **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [November 6, 2024, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774 "2024-11-06T09:17:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 104
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2025, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2062 "2025-08-09T13:20:21Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > He genuinely doesn’t understand that he did anything wrong, and really believes that the prosecutions are a great criminal conspiracy against him. I refuse to absolve Trump of responsibility, which the above thought does do. ---
**Author:** ![betonbill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b782af/32.png) [@betonbill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betonbill)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2025, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2063 "2025-08-09T16:07:04Z")
When/if this is all over and normalcy returns, is there any way that some of these perpetrators can be called to account for their actions? Maybe not quite the Nuremberg trials, but something like that. I know Trump can’t because he is prez and immune, but other key players are not. I would just like to see some of them have to atone for what they are doing currently. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2025, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2064 "2025-08-09T16:37:41Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > I refuse to absolve Trump of responsibility, which the above thought does do. It doesn’t absolve him in any way. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2025, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2065 "2025-08-09T17:28:06Z")
I think this sort of thing has repeatedly [happened in North Korea](https://www.newsweek.com/north-korea-kim-jong-un-purged-navy-official-appears-state-media-2092897): [Top vaccine regulator returns to FDA after recent firing](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/09/prasad-returns-to-fda-as-top-vaccine-regulator-00501342) > [@](#): > > “At the FDA’s request, Dr. Vinay Prasad is resuming leadership of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research,” HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said. As my link indicates, this seems to represent a victory for RFK Jr over Laura Loomer. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2066 "2025-08-11T22:14:28Z")
I’ve seen a string of vaccine experts opining the RFK has NO idea what’s he’s talking about and that he is shooting as all in the collective foot with his fund cutting. The story already vanished from the MSM and it seems nothing can be done about it. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2025, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2067 "2025-08-11T23:17:51Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > The story already vanished from the MSM . . . NBC News this afternoon: > **[CDC staffers voice frustration over Kennedy’s anti-vaccine rhetoric in wake...](https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/atlanta-shooting-cdc-rfk-jr-vaccine-misinformation-rcna224249)** > > The health secretary visited the agency's Atlanta headquarters Monday after last week's shooting. > [@](#): > > Just last week, Kennedy[terminated 22 contracts](https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/rfk-jr-cuts-500-million-mrna-vaccine-contracts-dealing-major-blow-prom-rcna223281) focused on developing mRNA vaccines — the same technology used to develop Pfizer’s and Moderna’s Covid shots. ---
**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:** [August 12, 2025, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2068 "2025-08-12T05:23:50Z")
This seems as good a trump thread as any, though I’m sure it’s been brought up in many threads. I just heard _“_… _the militarization of the capital_…” said on CBS roundup, I think. But it was said in such a neutral, news like manner, it just _upset_ me in a way I hadn’t experienced yet. I believe this has caused me the biggest wave of disgust and real fear to date. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2069 "2025-08-12T23:51:01Z")
The Fourth Estate has become a fifth column for Trump et al. ---
**Author:** ![TeroSunbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terosunbear/32/14748_2.png) [@TeroSunbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TeroSunbear)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2025, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2070 "2025-08-13T01:20:50Z")
After arresting all those homeless people, Trump will have the National Guard looking through every building in DC. Deep State must be somewhere in there. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2025, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2071 "2025-08-13T03:50:53Z")
> [@TeroSunbear](#): > > Deep State must be somewhere in there. I can give you the address of the ringleader of the Deep State. It’s 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington D.C. 20500. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2025, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2072 "2025-08-13T17:32:51Z")
> **[Julia Métraux (@juliametraux.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/juliametraux.bsky.social/post/3lwc6n3okr22w)** > > On Monday, a 15-year-old boy with disabilities was detained by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement outside a Los Angeles Unified School District high school. > > This is likely just one example of what's to come. Blog from me at... I have no words. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2025, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2073 "2025-08-13T17:42:41Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > I have no words. I have. A British actor whose name escapes me who’s been a long-time critic of Trump said recently that the Orange One is “the perfect villain” because he has absolutely “zero empathy”. Those two words – “zero empathy” – also apply perfectly to his border czar Tom Homan who is gleefully orchestrating all the detainments and deportations. It’s ironic that the guy’s name is so similar to “human” because he’s the farthest thing from it. He’s basically a species of reptile. I know we’re discouraged from making judgments about someone’s appearance, but man, Homan is just the image of the perfect thug. And his speech sounds like he’s perpetually drunk, which he might be, or else his brain has a hard time forming words and sending them to his over-sized pie-hole. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2025, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2074 "2025-08-13T21:46:39Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > …but man, Homan is just the image of the perfect thug I’ll say it. Miller looks like the perfect Nazi. Dead eyes and all. ---
**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:** [August 14, 2025, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2075 "2025-08-14T04:37:04Z")
Just adds to the feeling that we’re living in an SNL skit. People doing and saying shit _so absurd,_ for a moment you think that might really be James Austin Johnson blathering about reducing meds 1,500%. NOT 50, 60 or 25! 1,500%!! [James Austin Johnson](https://images.seattletimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/11082021_Johnson_tzr_132401.jpg?d=1020x655) ---
**Author:** ![Jihi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jihi/32/17768_2.png) [@Jihi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jihi)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2025, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2076 "2025-08-14T06:15:15Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > A British actor whose name escapes me who’s been a long-time critic of Trump said recently that the Orange One is “the perfect villain” because he has absolutely “zero empathy” Regarding the “zero empathy” thing, I can absolutely believe that as it’s actually crystallizing into a recognized philosophy on the extreme right. Particularly among the Christian extreme right. The basic idea seems to be that having empathy, sympathy, or the ability to recognize immigrants or any sort of brown person as a human being really, is leading to the destruction of Western civilization. I wish I was kidding. The basic idea seems to have been first expressed in an orderly fashion by this Joe Rigney dude who seems to be a theologian of some sort. He even wrote a book about it. Because grifting is a thing, and people like to be told it’s okay to be selfish. And because of course he did. > **[Amazon.com: The Sin of Empathy: Compassion and Its Counterfeits (Audible Audio...](https://www.amazon.com/Sin-Empathy-Compassion-Its-Counterfeits/dp/B0F1Z6KQBZ)** > > Amazon.com: The Sin of Empathy: Compassion and Its Counterfeits (Audible Audio Edition): Joe Rigney, Joe Rigney, Canon Press: Books I went looking for a good article summing up the issue, but it seems like every reputable source these days has a subscription service. I found this article on the guardian that seems to be free. At least I was able to read it. The ideology is infecting the right wing podcast and “manosphere” environment. Elon Musk has touted it on Rogan’s podcast. > **[Loathe thy neighbor: Elon Musk and the Christian right are waging war on empathy](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/apr/08/empathy-sin-christian-right-musk-trump)** > > Trump’s actions are irreconcilable with Christian compassion. But an unholy alliance seeks to cast empathy as a parasitic plague > Just over an hour into Elon Musk’s last appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast, the billionaire brought up the latest existential threat to trouble him. > “We’ve got civilizational suicidal empathy going on,” Musk said. “And it’s like, I believe in empathy. Like, I think you should care about other people, but you need to have empathy for civilization as a whole and not commit to a civilizational suicide.” > The idea that caring about others could end civilization may seem extreme, but it comes amid a growing wave of opposition to empathy from across the American right. Musk learned about “suicidal empathy” through his “public bromance” with Gad Saad, a Canadian marketing professor whose casual application of evolutionary psychology to culture war politics has brought him a sizable social media following. By Saad’s accounting – and this is not dissimilar from the white nationalist “great replacement theory” – western societies are bringing about their own destruction by admitting immigrants from poorer, browner and more Muslim countries. It’s formalizing and weaponizing hatred and selfishness using pseudo scientific and theologic language. Something that’s becoming distressingly common on the right these days particularly with people who aren’t nearly as smart as they think they are like Musk and his sycophantic “tech bros”. And it appeals to people’s worst impulses just like white supremacy and the incel subculture does. That’s what makes it effective. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2025, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2077 "2025-08-14T07:02:19Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Miller looks like the perfect Nazi. It’s the jackboots, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2025, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2078 "2025-08-14T08:19:06Z")
If anybody should be criticized for wearing a tan suit… ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2079 "2025-08-18T18:22:23Z")
> **[RFK Jr.’s Wi-Fi and 5G conspiracies appear to make it into MAHA report draft](https://arstechnica.com/health/2025/08/maha-draft-takes-on-electromagnetic-radiation-echoing-rfk-jr-s-conspiracies/)** > > The “Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy” draft doesn’t mention top killers of kids. Get ready for America’s health authorities to pivot to the terrible dangers of wi-fi. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2025, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2080 "2025-08-18T23:24:46Z")
If that takes MAGA offline, it’ll be a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2025, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2081 "2025-08-19T00:39:42Z")
[Trump vows to try banning mail-in voting before 2026 midterm elections — can he do that?](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-ban-mail-in-voting-before-2026-midterm-elections/) I’ve argued before that making it hard to vote is a GOP own-goal, because Democrats are, on average, the more determined voters. But stopping vote by mail could be an exception, because, in recent years, Democrats have disproportionately voted by mail. Trump’s promised executive order, almost whatever it says, will be unconstitutional, because of this in Article I: > [@](#): > > The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators. However, I see no evidence yet that SCOTUS justices live up to their oath to support and defend the Constitution. They’ll find some extra-constitutional excuse to ignore their oath, or, at a minimum, delay their decision until after the election.. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774.md?page=103) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774.md?page=105)