# 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:** 78
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1542 "2025-05-08T15:53:31Z")
Judge rules Executive order against Perkins Coie (\*law firm Trump is mad at) blatantly unconstitutional: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/DV76sIhZrdM/maxresdefault.jpg "Lawyers Beat Trump In Court! (For Now...)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV76sIhZrdM) > **[Judge permanently blocks Trump’s executive order targeting Democratic-tied...](https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/02/politics/perkins-coie-trump-executive-order)** > > A federal judge on Friday ruled that an executive order signed by President Donald Trump targeting a law firm that represented his 2016 presidential opponent was unconstitutional. Brian ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1543 "2025-05-08T16:10:21Z")
So what do you think is the thinking going on with the other firms who decided to cave, and donate millions of $ of free services? Sure, there will be appeals, but I wouldn’t think getting to this quick decision woulda cost 10s of $millions. ---
**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:** [May 8, 2025, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1544 "2025-05-08T16:12:51Z")
Couldn’t the other firms say, ‘Whereas the Supreme Court of the United States has ruled that the actions of the President are unconstitutional, our Agreement with the President is invalid.’ ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1545 "2025-05-08T16:25:17Z")
I’m no kind of expert and haven’t read the decision/watched the vid. But my personal view of litigation is that a party can “say” pretty much whatever they please. Whether or not the final court deciding a matter agrees with them is a different matter. IME a huge percentage of law is little more than making arguments, and hoping you persuade the right parties. Little more/less than that. Somewhat more responsive - this was not the SCt. I suspect the district court order was written as though it applied to the facts in the case before it. As such, a different party in a different proceeding could cite it in the hopes that it would be of persuasive value to the court deciding their action, but it would not likely be binding precedent. The decision of one federal district/circuit court generally does not bind a different district/circuit court. Further, I don’t know what kinds of agreements the law firms entered into, saying they would provide those services. I suppose if they broached those agreements, the administration could sue them for nonperformance/damages. As a lawyer, it has been quite odd seeing these huge firms essentially roll over and play dead, when they had near infinite resources at their disposal, and seemingly good arguments. _(I’m sure some of the largest firms have more lawyers/experience than the DoJ. It isn’t as though they are helpless pawns. But, I suspect it comes down to venality. Rather than the “doers of justice”, the firms that caved revealed their essential nature as whores belying up to the public trough in hopes of fees that vastly outweigh whatever they agreed to write off.)_ ---
**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:** [May 8, 2025, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1546 "2025-05-08T16:26:59Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > this was not the SCt. There are so many lawsuits, and so many decisions going against Trump, it’s hard for me to keep up/keep track. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1547 "2025-05-08T16:41:18Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > Judge rules Executive order against Perkins Coie (\*law firm Trump is mad at) blatantly unconstitutional Can’t cite it, but Trump’s administration is losing virtually all of these legal challenges. Not 100% of them, but probably north of 98%. When the stakes are low PR-wise, his administration tucks tail and slinks away after such decisions. News coverage of Trump’s judicial losses, however, pales in comparison to the trumpets’ blare at each executive order signed. When the stakes are higher PR-wise, such as the Garcia deportation, Trump’s administration digs in, obfuscates, passes the ball back and forth, etc. ---
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1548 "2025-05-08T19:08:17Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > As a lawyer, it has been quite odd seeing these huge firms essentially roll over and play dead, when they had near infinite resources at their disposal, and seemingly good arguments. I read something to the effect that as soon as the first letters went out, other BigLaw firms went sniffing around the hotshot associates and rainmaker partners of the targeted firms, looking to poach their personnel. If true, and the poaching firms didn’t realize they would soon have a turn in the barrel themselves, it doesn’t speak much for the integrity or foresight of the other firms as well. ---
**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:** [May 8, 2025, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1549 "2025-05-08T19:24:16Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > As a lawyer, it has been quite odd seeing these huge firms essentially roll over and play dead, when they had near infinite resources at their disposal, and seemingly good arguments. The thing is, with Trump, it’s not just the legal arguments arguments that matter, it’s also the petty behind-the-scenes stuff. Trump made a public spectacle of these firms because he wanted to show how strong he is. But there’s no doubt some shady shit going on outside of what was written publically. even now, there’s probably word going through the back channels telling people that the court order doesn’t matter. The firms are black-balled. Any action in which a government agent has discretion, it will be expected that the agent will screw over these firms. They will win no contracts, be given no leeway, and hit with every regulation they can find. ---
**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:** [May 8, 2025, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1550 "2025-05-08T23:25:58Z")
> # Trump administration unveils a plan to modernize the air traffic control system > > [Duffy unveils a modernization plan for air traffic control system : NPR](https://www.npr.org/2025/05/08/nx-s1-5391297/air-traffic-control-system-overhaul-modernization) Probably a good idea. What could possibly go wrong? ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2025, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1551 "2025-05-08T23:37:35Z")
This seems to be an endless clown car - a clownucopia? > **[Trump names Jeanine Pirro interim US attorney for DC | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/08/politics/jeanine-pirro-trump-acting-dc-prosecutor)** > > President Donald Trump announced Thursday he’s appointing Fox News host and former prosecutor Jeanine Pirro the interim US attorney for Washington, DC, after his first pick faced what appeared to be insurmountable pushback from Republicans on Capitol... I bet Lorne Michaels is on the phone with Cecily Strong’s agent right this second… ---
**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:** [May 9, 2025, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1552 "2025-05-09T00:11:16Z")
I’m reminded of the movie The Running Man. When the game show host tells his assistant, “Get me the President! No, wait…get me his Agent!” It was supposed to be an over-the-top parody. ---
**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:** [May 9, 2025, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1553 "2025-05-09T00:37:12Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Last night I proofread for a federal court reporter the transcript of a hearing (the second one in this case) about ICE’s efforts to deport a student after his visas were revoked because of events at a pro/anti Gaza war demonstration. > > I won’t go into identifying details, but the student’s actions occurred a year and a half ago, he’s worked out a plea deal in state court on the charges brought against him, and has a ticket already bought to fly to his home country as soon as he enters his plea. > > So, no problem, right? He finishes what he has to do and “self-deports”, no cost to the government, no effort by them, right? > > WRONG. UPDATE: Final hearing yesterday and it’s over! The student made it to local court to resolve his case with no jail time, ICE grabbed him, he got brought to the federal court for a further hearing on his request for a temporary restraining order to keep ICE from disappearing him into their labyrinth, and the judge granted the TRO, told the government to release him, give all his seized personal property back, and let him fly home! His mother was present in court intending to fly home with him. The judge and staff stayed late to make sure they’d be available if ICE tried any last-minute shenanigans. As far as my source knows, he made it. Our judicial system has been wounded by this maladministration but there are plenty of judges pushing back against its assaults on the rule of law. ---
**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:** [May 9, 2025, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1554 "2025-05-09T01:14:57Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > I bet Lorne Michaels is on the phone with Cecily Strong’s agent right this second… That occurred to me, too. One question, is she really sloshed all the time or does she just speak with a natural slur? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1555 "2025-05-09T01:47:16Z")
Thank you for your service. ---
**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:** [May 9, 2025, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1556 "2025-05-09T11:06:33Z")
> **[RFK Jr.’s Measles Policy: Deaths Are Expected And It’s The Victim’s Fault](https://www.techdirt.com/2025/05/08/rfk-jr-s-measles-policy-deaths-are-expected-and-its-the-victims-fault/)** > > I’ve ranted and raved enough about how RFK Jr. and his Health and Human Services department are completely fucking up the response to the current measles outbreak enough that I’m confid… Hard to get more horrific than “diseases are good, actually, for culling the undesirables.” ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2025, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1557 "2025-05-09T14:19:14Z")
Internet says RFK is 71. Communicable diseases disproportionately affect those with underlying conditions, the elderly (some overlap there), and children. How long between 71 and elderly in this sense? Schadenfreude wants to know. ---
**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:** [May 9, 2025, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1558 "2025-05-09T18:59:06Z")
For any who thought Project 2025 was not something to worry about, it is something to worry about (and is happening and is scary). (Video: 30 minutes) [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/5jyw3NE-SAs/maxresdefault.jpg "Yes, This is Project 2025 (ft. Liz Dye)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jyw3NE-SAs) ---
**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:** [May 12, 2025, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1559 "2025-05-12T00:13:10Z")
Trump to cut drug prices! > **[Trump announces he’ll sign executive order that aims to cut drug prices | CNN...](https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/11/politics/trump-prescription-drug-prices)** > > President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he plans to resurrect a controversial policy from his first term that aims to reduce drug costs by basing payments for certain medicines on their prices in other countries. It will probably not work. If you tell a company to lower US prices, and it holds the world wide patent, it will just raise the prices elsewhere. They own the drug. Once the prices say EU negotiated expire, they will raise those. And, were we not told to quit getting chronic diseases? ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2025, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1560 "2025-05-13T02:11:02Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > UPDATE: Final hearing yesterday and it’s over! The student made it to local court to resolve his case with no jail time, ICE grabbed him, he got brought to the federal court for a further hearing on his request for a temporary restraining order to keep ICE from disappearing him into their labyrinth, and the judge granted the TRO, told the government to release him, give all his seized personal property back, and let him fly home! > > His mother was present in court intending to fly home with him. The judge and staff stayed late to make sure they’d be available if ICE tried any last-minute shenanigans. As far as my source knows, he made it. > > Our judicial system has been wounded by this maladministration but there are plenty of judges pushing back against its assaults on the rule of law Thanks for sharing. These kind of stories perk up my day. Resistance will start to become more of a “thing”, now, whether civil, judicial, or whatever form it may take, regardless of any moronic consequences that may ensue. ---
**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:** [May 13, 2025, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774/1561 "2025-05-13T02:21:50Z")
If you watched Rachel Maddow during her nightly “First 100 Days” show, she covered protests that are going on every day all over the country. She’s back to just Monday nights now, but still, she shows every day protests with dozens, to hundreds, to sometimes thousands attending. Every day. Hers might be the only show that is covering all of these protests. It’s not just the really big ones. It’s a continuing thing. They’re in front of Social Security offices, FBI offices, politician’s offices, Tesla dealerships, along city streets. The next really big one is supposed to be June 14, coinciding with trump’s self-promoting military parade. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774.md?page=77) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-current-second-trump-administration-a-compendium-of-horrors/1009774.md?page=79)