# 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:** 136
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2025, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2706 "2025-12-20T23:40:29Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > And Trump being responsible for these Letters of Marque? Horrible. Even Lincoln was not entrusted with this responsibility, and properly so. Today’s Republicans generally, and certainly the ones in [the House](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1238/cosponsors) and Senate behind this seem desperate to turn Donald Trump into a dictator. Issuing Letters of Marque is a power reserved to Congress. Period. [Senator Charles Sumner (R-Massachusetts), Speech on Letters of Marque and Reprisal, February 1863](https://www.gutenberg.org/files/48266/48266-h/48266-h.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com) > [@](#): > > To me it seems obvious that the Constitution contemplated the special action of Congress on every occasion for the exercise of this power. This was the safeguard against excess or blunder. Such a power was not to be exercised hastily or inconsiderately, but with full and special consideration. It was not to be exercised all at once and in the lump, but as the exigency occurred in individual cases. And Congress, which was empowered to declare war, had the further power, in the same way and with similar solemnities, to give the war this additional feature, if, under the circumstances, it thought best. This great power was not handed over indefinitely to the President, to be wielded at will, but was lodged in Congress. If Congress is not insensible to the spirit of the Constitution, it will never hand it over to the President, as now proposed. I agree. Sumner also opposed giving Lincoln this power because privateering had been against international law since 1856. Giving Trump the power to authorize corsairs is unconstitutional, illegal, and bad all around. It is also an absurd proposal. The whole idea of privateering is to seize a valuable cargo and sell it to make money. Who does Senator Lee want American privateers to sell the seized fentanyl to? American drug dealers? ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2025, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2707 "2025-12-20T23:47:52Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Who does Senator Lee want American privateers to sell the seized fentanyl to? American drug dealers? Good ol’ fashioned American jobs for Americans! ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2708 "2025-12-21T14:49:20Z")
> **[Boulder artist makes stickers to cover Trump’s face on National Parks passes...](https://www.denverpost.com/2025/12/19/national-parks-pass-stickers-cover-trumps-face/amp/)** > > Jenny McCarty’s stickers for the 2026 passes have gained national attention since launching Dec. 10. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2709 "2025-12-21T15:07:34Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Trump is actually stealing Venezuela’s oil: “We have a lot of oil there. As you know, they threw our companies out, and we want it back.” IIRC, White Europeans confiscated the land of Native Americans on this continent. Anybody know what the Statute of Limitations is on that one? [I pine for opportunities to use the word ‘revanchism’ when it’s even _remotely_ germane] ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2710 "2025-12-21T18:06:10Z")
It’s a logical progression. After Blackwater, we get Bluewater. And the American people get a thorough beating. ---
**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:** [December 21, 2025, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2711 "2025-12-21T19:01:52Z")
I just saw a television commercial featuring Trump as host of the next Kennedy Center Honors show. The clips featured suggest that the show has already been filmed. Should be a good show. A good shitshow. ---
**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:** [December 21, 2025, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2712 "2025-12-21T22:36:57Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Basically, Mike Lee thinks American organized crime needs a boost. More! More! We need more! I think I have the campaign song for Republicans in general and this administration in particular: [“If I had a Heart”](https://youtu.be/EBAzlNJonO8) by Fever Ray – it was used as the title music for the _Vikings_ series. 🎶If I had a voice I would sing Dangling feet from window frame Will They ever ever reach the floor? More, give me more, give me more Crushed and filled with all I found Underneath and inside Just to come around More, give me more, give me more 🎶 ---
**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:** [December 21, 2025, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2713 "2025-12-21T23:01:32Z")
This will be fun: > **[Trump administration announces plans to 'break up' the National Center for...](https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/12/trump-administration-announces-plans-to-break-up-the-national-center-for-atmospheric-research/)** > > The center is one of the world’s premier institutions for studying the atmosphere. Its work has saved countless lives. What could go wrong with stopping all research into tornadoes & hurricanes? And a lot of predictions too. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2025, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2714 "2025-12-21T23:14:41Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Who does Senator Lee want American privateers to sell the seized fentanyl to? American drug dealers? Googling some more, I see a George Mason University economics professor answering my questions. He suggests that our corsairs wouldn’t seize the drugs going out, but the cash on the way back: [Bring Back the Privateers!](https://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2025/12/bring-back-the-privateers.html) If I now understand the GOP proposal correctly, stealing recreational drug proceeds, something today done by warring criminal gangs, would be legalized — where and when and by whom Trump says. Maybe Trump can rehabilitate some of the drug kings he has pardoned by giving them letters of marque to move into piracy. Looking at the law text, I see no limitation of the privateers to naval seizures: [Cartel Marque and Reprisal Authorization Act of 2025](https://www.lee.senate.gov/services/files/6008F035-A52D-4D6C-99E9-CEEE62B6C39D) So they could try shooting up small planes. Perhaps privateers would mostly go after the [vast number of U.S. $100 bills held aboard.](https://www.npr.org/sections/money/2013/04/12/177051690/most-100-bills-live-outside-the-u-s) ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2025, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2715 "2025-12-22T02:01:55Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > What could go wrong with stopping all research into tornadoes & hurricanes? And a lot of predictions too. Pshaw! All’s that’s needed is Trump and his Sharpie. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2025, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2716 "2025-12-22T14:22:09Z")
I just wrote my Colorado senators. Again. > Dear Senator, > > When are you going to do something about the traitor in the White House? > > Now this man that clearly has dementia is planning on shutting down NCAR? The man who thinks he’s a genius because he can recognize a giraffe. He’s a disgrace. > > This is clearly an attempt to punish Colorado for rightfully jailing Tina Peters. > > Don’t say your hands are tied. You should be yelling from every mountain top. > > Please help me be proud of our state. > > Sincerely ---
**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:** [December 22, 2025, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2717 "2025-12-22T17:43:05Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > What could go wrong with stopping all research into tornadoes & hurricanes? And a lot of predictions too. The main “problem” was plainly stated by Trump’s stooge at the Office of Management and Budget: “the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) … is one of the largest sources of climate alarmism in the country.” They are one of the important institutions doing research on climate change, which must be stopped because the information upsets redneck rubes with coal-rolling diesel pickup trucks. It’s part and parcel of the Orange Buffoon’s attempt to completely dismantle science and medicine in the US. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2025, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2718 "2025-12-22T17:50:30Z")
Suposed to be 68f today here in the front range of Colorado. Now that’s not incredibly unusual, but that’s kind of how the winter has gone. We have had one good snow. That’s not right. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2025, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2719 "2025-12-22T17:54:55Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > It’s part and parcel of the Orange Buffoon’s attempt to completely dismantle science and medicine in the US. Also because anything that has to do with science or math confuses someone with an IQ of 80. I’m being generous. ---
**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:** [December 22, 2025, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2720 "2025-12-22T18:15:18Z")
Yeah. More like enrages. “You think you’re so smart? How come you’re not President, huh?” ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2025, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2721 "2025-12-22T18:23:37Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > The main “problem” was plainly stated by Trump’s stooge at the Office of Management and Budget: “the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) … is one of the largest sources of climate alarmism in the country.” “Just because we shouted, _“Jesus Christ, that’s a lot of fucking tornadoes!”_ doesn’t mean we’re climate alarmists!” ---
**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:** [December 22, 2025, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2722 "2025-12-22T18:33:20Z")
We just had a no-nothing climate change denier show up in the climate change Great Debate. Lotta those out and about these days. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2025, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2723 "2025-12-22T18:35:42Z")
Not President because I am smart. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2724 "2025-12-23T00:59:17Z")
“Trump” class battleship? USS defiant? > **[Trump announces new Trump-class 'battleship' as part of 'Golden Fleet' -...](https://breakingdefense.com/2025/12/trump-announces-new-trump-class-battleship-as-part-of-golden-fleet/)** > > The new vessel, coming in around 30,000 tons, will be capable of carrying surface-launched nuclear missiles, creating what Navy Secretary John Phelan called a new nuclear deterrent. If it wasn’t so horrifying, it would be absolutely ridiculous. Someone has been watching too much Star Trek. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2025, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/2725 "2025-12-23T01:17:30Z")
Just when I thought he couldn’t be an expert at anything else, Trump turns our to be a naval engineer! Is there no end to this man’s talents? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774.md?page=135) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774.md?page=137)