# 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:** 155
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3086 "2026-03-05T18:15:05Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Eight weeks? At most? Of course, he doesn’t say “at most,” or anything like that. He’s just throwing numbers out there. I am pretty certain that they (a) have no idea how long it’ll last, and (b) are kind of surprised by the fact that Iran didn’t instantly fold. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3087 "2026-03-05T18:20:10Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Of course, he doesn’t say “at most,” or anything like that. No, I feel that’s what he said. _“You can say four weeks, but it could be six, it could be eight, it could be three.”_ Not _“Or it could be longer.”_ He said the war would last for a period of time ranging from three weeks to eight weeks. I do agree that they “have no idea how long it’ll last”. But I don’t think they’re aware that they have no idea. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3088 "2026-03-05T18:22:29Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > He said the war would last for a period of time ranging from three weeks to eight weeks. I think that is what Hegseth would _like_ people to take away from that; I imagine that he knows that a lot of Americans are already disapproving of the war, and want to know when it’ll end. But, again, note that he did not say anything that he can be pinned down to after eight weeks, if the war is still going on; he did not _literally_ say that it won’t go any longer than eight weeks, and used lots of “could be.” ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3089 "2026-03-05T18:41:24Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > “You can say four weeks, but it could be six, it could be eight, it could be three.” That narrows it down. 🙄 ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3090 "2026-03-05T18:56:28Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > “You can say four weeks, but it could be six, it could be eight, it could be three.” “Oh, you dont have to call me Mr. Johnson…..” (for those to young to know about this:) > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh-q-kkwT3w](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh-q-kkwT3w) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3091 "2026-03-05T18:59:58Z")
Kristi Noem is out at DHS. > [@](#): > > President Donald Trump says he’s replacing his embattled Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and will nominate in her place Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin. > > Trump made the announcement on social media on Thursday, two days after Noem faced a grilling on Capitol Hill from GOP members as well as Democrats. > > Trump says he’ll make Noem a “Special Envoy for The Shield of the Americas,” a new security initiative that he said would focus on the Western Hemisphere. [https://wgntv.com/news/ap-trump-says-hes-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/](https://wgntv.com/news/ap-trump-says-hes-replacing-homeland-security-secretary-noem-with-gop-sen-markwayne-mullin/) ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3092 "2026-03-05T20:38:22Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > That narrows it down. It was a stupid thing to say. It set a specific deadline, which means Trump and Hegseth’s plan can be objectively measured. And Hegseth was the one who set the standard. The war started on February 28. Which means starting on April 26, people will start asking Hegseth and Trump why the war isn’t over. Hegseth should have said something vague like “We expect a quick victory.” That would have given him some ambiguity, so that if we’re still fighting in 2028, he could claim that’s what he meant by “quick”. ---
**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:** [March 5, 2026, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3093 "2026-03-05T20:51:50Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > “Oh, you dont have to call me Mr. Johnson…..” That’s exactly what came to my mind. I made a mental note to find the commercial and post it, and then I came across your post. 😂 ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3094 "2026-03-05T21:01:21Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Kristi Noem is out at DHS So is Corey Lewandowski: > **[Corey Lewandowski to 'leave with' Kristi Noem amid affair rumors: report](https://www.google.com/share.google?q=6vQnV3pp5Fz4id8Pe)** > > Special government employee Corey Lewandowski is expected to leave the Department of Homeland Security when Secretary Kristi Noem departs later this month.Sources told Fox News correspondent Jacqui Heinrich that Lewandowski's departure became evident... ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3095 "2026-03-05T21:25:17Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > He said the war would last for a period of time ranging from three weeks to eight weeks. > > I do agree that they “have no idea how long it’ll last”. But I don’t think they’re aware that they have no idea. Eight weeks is when we run out of SAM defense weaponry, declare victory, and bug out. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3096 "2026-03-05T21:53:07Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Kristi Noem is out at DHS. Is she going to have to move out of the Coast Guard Commander’s house? * * * > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > It was a stupid thing to say. No kidding. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3097 "2026-03-05T22:14:27Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Kristi Noem is out at DHS Apparently this is over a lack of “loyalty” to Trump. Noem was engaged in some financial corruption. There was a ad campaign for the Department of Homeland Security and Noem gave a contract (which was over $200,000) to a friend. She testified under oath that Trump had been aware of this before the fact and had approved it. Trump is now saying he never heard anything about this and that Noem is lying. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2026, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3098 "2026-03-05T23:51:44Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > There was a ad campaign for the Department of Homeland Security and Noem gave a contract (which was over $200,000) to a friend. Over $200,000 you say? > **[Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Secretly Got Money From $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts](https://www.google.com/share.google?q=X6diHYkz0uhTEljZS)** > > The company is run by the husband of Noem’s chief DHS spokesperson and has personal and business ties to Noem and her aides. DHS invoked the “emergency” at the border to skirt competitive bidding rules for the taxpayer-funded campaign. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2026, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3099 "2026-03-06T00:18:58Z")
Gee, I hope no one forgets to pack her special blankie. That person could be fired or shot. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2026, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3100 "2026-03-06T00:38:40Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Over $200,000 you say? The entire ad campaign had a budget of over $220,000,000. The contract in question was for $226,137.17, which was paid to a company called Strategy Group to make some tv and radio ads. Strategy Group is owned by Ben Yoho, who is a friend and business associate of Noem. The company was not paid directly by the government; they were paid through a front company that was founded just eleven days before being awarded this contract, which then passed the contract and the money on to Strategy Group. Noem claims the contract was awarded by the normal (and legally required) bidding process but there is no evidence to back this up. I would speculate that the reason a front company was used is because Noem had a previous scandal involving Strategy Group when she was Governor of South Dakota. That time she hired the company to do an ad campaign for her and paid them $8,500,000 out of government funds. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2026, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3101 "2026-03-06T01:11:54Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > > > Eight weeks? At most? > > Of course, he doesn’t say “at most,” or anything like that. He’s just throwing numbers out there. I am pretty certain that they (a) have no idea how long it’ll last, and (b) are kind of surprised by the fact that Iran didn’t instantly fold. 8 weeks is just a bit over 60 days… > **[War Powers Resolution](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_Powers_Resolution)** > > The War Powers Resolution (also known as the War Powers Resolution of 1973 or the War Powers Act) (50 U.S.C. ch. 33) is a federal law intended to check the U.S. president's power to commit the United States to an armed conflict without the consent of the U.S. Congress. The resolution was adopted in the form of a United States congressional joint resolution. It provides that the president can send the U.S. Armed Forces into action abroad only by Con... > The War Powers Resolution requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action and forbids armed forces from remaining for more than 60 days, with a further 30-day withdrawal period, without congressional authorization for use of military force (AUMF) or a [declaration of war by the United States](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_war_by_the_United_States). Now, AFAIK; Trump is, so far, following some laws by notifying congress within the 48 hours of the attack. ---
**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:** [March 6, 2026, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3102 "2026-03-06T01:39:26Z")
My wife just asked, ‘Did Trump do anything stupid today?’ I answered, ‘I don’t know. Is it a weekday or a weekend?’ ---
**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:** [March 6, 2026, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3103 "2026-03-06T01:46:16Z")
How about answering “Three stupid things before breakfast, then he picked up speed. Same as every other day, Dear.”? ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2026, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3104 "2026-03-06T02:03:11Z")
Trump only does stupid things on days that end with “y.” ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2026, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/3105 "2026-03-06T03:09:28Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > How about answering “Three stupid things before breakfast, then he picked up speed. Same as every other day, Dear.”? Any scenario that involves Trump picking up speed seems unrealistic. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774.md?page=154) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774.md?page=156)