# 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:** 69
**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:** [April 13, 2025, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1362 "2025-04-13T20:13:01Z")
> [@SunUp](#): > > We haven’t seen Gestapo-type tactics employed against those whose citizenship is unambigous yet “yet” He’s stated his intention to revoke citizenship for people born in the country. He will try to do it, and soon, no doubt about it. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2025, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1363 "2025-04-13T21:50:26Z")
The frequency of Trump’s alleged golf championships – an objective measure of grandiosity – is increasing. [2024](https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2024/03/27/donald-trump-claims-two-more-golf-championships-trump-international-west-palm-beach/73120466007/): > [@](#): > > A year ago, he bragged about having won the Senior Club Championship in West Palm Beach, despite not playing the first round of the tournament. > > In August, he posted that he captured the Senior Club Championship at his course in Bedminster, New Jersey, by shooting a 67, a score that would have beaten all but six of the 144 rounds on that same course weeks earlier in a LIV Golf event. [2025](https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/trump/2025/04/07/trump-golfing-weekend-west-palm-beach-jupiter-club-championship/82958561007/) > [@](#): > > Trump now has claimed to have won four championships this year, including teaming with Finnish President Alexander Stubb to[win the Men’s Member-Guest tournament](https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/2025/04/03/donald-trump-finnish-president-alexander-stubb-golf-championship/82782608007/) last weekend at his course near West Palm Beach. This compares to a rate of less than one championship annually ([eighteen total](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/apr/02/donald-trump-golf-28-club-championships)) as of 2019. I’m conflating tournament championships with club championships, the latter being even more surely spurious But it still looks like his psychological need to fake wins is increasing. Golf-related grandiosity can get worse: [Kim [Jong-Il] shot 38 under, including 11 holes-in-one, at the 7,700-yard championship course at Pyongyang in the VERY FIRST golf round of his life, according to North Korean state media.](https://www.espn.com/espn/page2/index/_/id/7369649) P.S. In case anyone here thinks that Trump wins legitimately, I recommend; [Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump](https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/rick-reilly/commander-in-cheat/9780316528030/) ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1364 "2025-04-14T07:56:21Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Dunning-Kruger, meet Milgram / Stanford. Kudos. That is perfect. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1365 "2025-04-14T08:41:42Z")
This is not really new for him but, if he gets his way as seems to be happening these days, say goodbye to the free press and the first amendment: > **[Trump Has A ‘Maximum’ Meltdown On Social Media After Hate-Watching ‘60 Minutes’](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/donald-trump-60-minutes-meltdown_n_67fc70eae4b0c8069e852f1b?d_id=8952035&ncid_tag=fcbklnkushpmg00000024&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=us_entertainment)** > > The president snapped after watching a TV show he didn't like and said CBS should lose its license. > In two separate posts on his Truth Social website, Trump complained about the show’s interview with then-Vice President Kamala Harris last year ― which he is suing the company over ― and railed against Sunday night’s reports on Greenland and the war in Ukraine. > > “They are not a ‘News Show,’ but a dishonest Political Operative simply disguised as ‘News,’ and must be responsible for what they have done, and are doing,” the president wrote. “They should lose their license!” > > He urged FCC Chair Brendan Carr ― who was named to the position by Trump ― to deliver “substantial” penalties to the network for what he called “unlawful and illegal behavior.” > > “CBS is out of control, at levels never seen before, and they should pay a big price for this,” he wrote. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1366 "2025-04-14T14:43:39Z")
Not just unlawful, but illegal, too? ---
**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:** [April 14, 2025, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1367 "2025-04-14T21:44:05Z")
There is a lot of bad news mentioned in this thread, and it all appears to be reported accurately and it all needs to be taken seriously. And discussed here and elsewhere. But this is also true, and also worthy of discussion: > [@](#): > > Nonviolent protests are twice as likely to succeed as armed conflicts – and those **engaging a threshold of 3.5% of the population have never failed to bring about change.** > > In 1986, millions of Filipinos took to the streets of Manila in peaceful protest and prayer in the People Power movement. The Marcos regime folded on the fourth day. > > In 2003, the people of Georgia ousted Eduard Shevardnadze through the bloodless Rose Revolution, in which protestors stormed the parliament building holding the flowers in their hands. While in 2019, the presidents of Sudan and Algeria both announced they would step aside after decades in office, thanks to peaceful campaigns of resistance. > **In each case, civil resistance by ordinary members of the public trumped the political elite to achieve radical change**. … (My bolding) This particular article is from 2019 but from all I’ve seen online, its findings have been upheld by everyone who’s studied them. The article details a number of repressive regimes that were overthrown after that miracle number—3.5% of the population—hit the streets. It’s remarkably consistent. This is our reason to look at the obvious Trump Regime despotism, present and planned, and still have hope. > **[The '3.5% rule': How a small minority can change the world](https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190513-it-only-takes-35-of-people-to-change-the-world)** > > Nonviolent protests are twice as likely to succeed as armed conflicts – and those engaging a threshold of 3.5% of the population have never failed to bring about change. ---
**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:** [April 14, 2025, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1368 "2025-04-14T22:24:51Z")
A quick search says that about 3 million people attended the Hands Off rallies, and that the United States has a population of about 340 million. That puts us at 0.88%. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2025, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1369 "2025-04-14T22:26:43Z")
So considering all the movie/TV jokes about the military posting someone who just “stepped in it” to an arctic posting, where does the military send someone who’s already at an arctic post? ---
**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:** [April 14, 2025, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1370 "2025-04-14T22:32:47Z")
I see that Wikipedia estimates 3 million. I’ve also read 5 million and 6 million from otherwise reputable sources. But I can’t find what I consider to be a final definitive estimate. ---
**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:** [April 14, 2025, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1371 "2025-04-14T23:24:07Z")
> **['Homegrowns are next': Trump doubles down on sending American 'criminals' to...](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/homegrowns-trump-doubles-sending-convicted-us-citizens-foreign/story?id=120802863)** > > President Donald Trump told Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele he wanted to send "homegrown criminals" to El Salvador next and encouraged Bukele to build more prisons. Trump wants to send “homegrown criminals” to El Salvador’s gulag. And of course to Trump a “criminal” is “anyone who fails to worship Trump sufficiently”. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1372 "2025-04-15T00:21:30Z")
I recall that when I was in the US Navy the worst post one could be sent to was Diego Garcia - an isolated island out in the middle of the Indian Ocean. But at least there might be water sports? ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1373 "2025-04-15T00:32:39Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > The article details a number of repressive regimes that were overthrown after that miracle number—3.5% of the population—hit the streets. It’s remarkably consistent. How many of the countries, where the regime collapsed after 3.5 percent protests, are currently less autocratic than the United States? ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1374 "2025-04-15T00:35:16Z")
> [@Ellecram](#): > > But at least there might be water sports? I’d rather not know what the Navy gets up to on its off time. ---
**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:** [April 15, 2025, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1375 "2025-04-15T00:41:47Z")
“…and when I say none, I mean there is a certain amount.” ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 15, 2025, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1376 "2025-04-15T23:19:14Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Trump wants to send “homegrown criminals” to El Salvador’s gulag Has he forgotten how close he came to being tried as one of those homegrown criminals? ETA: I forgot he was convicted. He **is** a homegrown criminal. ---
**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:** [April 16, 2025, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1377 "2025-04-16T22:26:40Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > How many of the countries, where the regime collapsed after 3.5 percent protests, are currently less autocratic than the United States? It’s a fair question. (It would require more research than I have time to do now.) > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I see that Wikipedia estimates 3 million. I’ve also read 5 million and 6 million from otherwise reputable sources. Worth remembering: for many weeks now there’s been a LOT of talk about how Trump would have any and all protesters arrested or shot. So this first one was a ‘toe in the water’ kind of thing. I don’t think it’s safe to assume that April 5 was the end of protesting (if anyone is doing so). ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2025, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1378 "2025-04-17T00:07:56Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > I don’t think it’s safe to assume that April 5 was the end of protesting (if anyone is doing so). I was and am. April 5th was my second protest. The next one near me is Saturday, April 19. ---
**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:** [April 17, 2025, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1379 "2025-04-17T00:19:52Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > But the other half walked off that cliff willingly, and are flapping their arms because they think maybe they can fly…..in part because their cult leader told them they could, but in part because “Who knows?” Gravity worked yesterday, but does it still work? No one knows? Coupled with the thought that if they just _believe_ hard enough the universe will bend to their will. Prosperity gospel writ large. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2025, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1380 "2025-04-17T01:09:33Z")
[We’re About to Find Out What Mass Deportation Really Looks Like](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/we-re-about-to-find-out-what-mass-deportation-really-looks-like/ar-AA1D3kEr?cvid=3de8181cc2b0418f8a9a278c184a009b&ei=11) > [@](#): > > The reconciliation bill in the Senate would provide $175 billion over the next decade. A House version proposes $90 billion. > > To put those sums in perspective, the entire annual budget of ICE is about $9 billion. > > The funding surge . . . would funnel billions to private contractors to identify and locate targets, jail them in for-profit detention centers, and fast-track their deportations. As with tariffs, MAGA is overreaching. They cannot deport millions a year without paralyzing agriculture — besides the human suffering. Temporary guest workers — if they are going to bring them in — cannot do what experienced workers can. Will guest workers even want to risk the U.S.? What happens to my grandchildren’s friends? To be captain obvious, this is bad. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2025, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1381 "2025-04-17T18:34:58Z")
> Sen. [Lisa Murkowski](https://thehill.com/people/lisa-murkowski/)(R-Alaska) told a group of nonprofit leaders in her home state earlier this week that she is among many people she knows who are “afraid” about the upheaval President Trump has created in the federal government since taking office in January, and she worries about potential retaliation for criticizing the president. [https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5253980-murkowski-fear-trump-chaos/](https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5253980-murkowski-fear-trump-chaos/) I’m sorry, Senator Murkowski, but Congress exists in no small part for this reason. If you are too much a coward to stand up to the president, you have no business being a Senator and should resign immediately. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774.md?page=68) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774.md?page=70)