# The Police State arrives... in the West Wing **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 27, 2017, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917 "2017-02-27T02:20:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917/1 "2017-02-27T02:20:32Z")
So I guess [Sean-baby Spicer has discovered his staff leaks like a sieve](http://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/sean-spicer-targets-own-staff-in-leak-crackdown-235413), so he has implemented draconian security procedures including random phone checks on staffers, overseen by White House attorneys. I’d say the notion of the White House needing its own secret police, barely two months into the administration, gives me a frisson of delight, but it’s more like a full maniacal seizure. 🙂 ---
**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:** [February 27, 2017, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917/2 "2017-02-27T02:44:50Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > I’d say the notion of the White House needing its own secret police… Calling them ‘secret police’ smacks of totalitarianism, which may upset Trump’s base. I suggest using a foreign language, since most of Trump’s flock probably don’t speak one. Since Trump is German, I suggest _Geheime Staatspolizei_. Godwinned in one! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917/3 "2017-02-27T04:26:47Z")
I’m delighted that information about the meeting to suppress leaks was leaked. Also that the name of the Deputy Communications Director is Jessica Ditto. Also that Trump has assured Spicer his job is safe. That will ensure continued hilarity in coming months. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917/4 "2017-02-27T05:27:12Z")
I have a feeling the Cheeto is going to be saying “You’re fired!” more often during his administration than he did in all of his years on _The Apprentice_. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917/5 "2017-02-27T06:15:17Z")
They had once chance to catch the leaker and they came up empty. They are now screwed because having made it known that there are going to be intrusive searches for leakers, the leakers will now ensure that their future leaks cannot be traced. They’ll be made off premises on burner phones. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917/6 "2017-02-27T15:26:35Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Godwinned in one! 😃 Woulda been in zero, if I hadn’t thought ‘gestapo’ was over the top and replaced it with ‘secret police.’ I \*try \*to play nice. Sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917/7 "2017-02-27T15:58:10Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > I have a feeling the Cheeto is going to be saying “You’re fired!” more often during his administration than he did in all of his years on _The Apprentice_. I think someone’s going to end up saying it to him before the midterms roll around. Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917/8 "2017-02-27T18:32:59Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Also that Trump has assured Spicer his job is safe. That will ensure continued hilarity in coming months. OTOH, I take such assurances from Trump as indicating that it’s about time for Spicer to start packing. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917/9 "2017-02-27T18:55:00Z")
Melissa McCarthy is going to have to turbocharge the buffoonery to keep up. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917/10 "2017-02-27T18:55:58Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > I’m delighted that information about the meeting to suppress leaks was leaked. > > Also that the name of the Deputy Communications Director is Jessica Ditto. Ditto. > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Godwinned in one! 😃 Lord, please please please let Scott Spicer have those initials monogrammed on his shirts. ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917/11 "2017-02-27T18:58:35Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > So I guess [Sean-baby Spicer has discovered his staff leaks like a sieve](http://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/sean-spicer-targets-own-staff-in-leak-crackdown-235413), so he has implemented draconian security procedures including random phone checks on staffers, overseen by White House attorneys. > > I’d say the notion of the White House needing its own secret police, barely two months into the administration, gives me a frisson of delight, but it’s more like a full maniacal seizure. 🙂 What/which “secret police” are you referring to? Someone is obviously leaking information, but in exchange for what? Money, power, to pay blackmail? If staffers are indeed leaking information, those staffers can be fired. If staffers are leaking classified information to those who do not have an official clearance to hear/read that information, those staffers can be arrested. Assuming that a staffer is leaking information, can you guarantee that the leakers are only supplying information to the news media outlets? Couldn’t they also leak information to China, Russia, Mexico, or Canada? George Soros? Chelsea Clinton? ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917/12 "2017-02-27T19:02:56Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > What/which “secret police” are you referring to? Someone is obviously leaking information, but in exchange for what? Money, power, to pay blackmail? > > If staffers are indeed leaking information, those staffers can be fired. If staffers are leaking classified information to those who do not have an official clearance to hear/read that information, those staffers can be arrested. > > Assuming that a staffer is leaking information, can you guarantee that the leakers are only supplying information to the news media outlets? Couldn’t they also leak information to China, Russia, Mexico, or Canada? George Soros? Chelsea Clinton? Where I come from (Earth), investigations of alleged criminal activities are usually carried out by law enforcement officers, not press secretaries. Note that I did say “usually.” Not 100% of the time, as this story proves. ---
**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:** [February 27, 2017, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917/13 "2017-02-27T19:29:13Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Where I come from (Earth), investigations of alleged criminal activities are usually carried out by law enforcement officers, not press secretaries. > > Note that I did say “usually.” Not 100% of the time, as this story proves. Yes, it’s sad, if only they had access to some sort of professional agency that they could trust with investigating leaks… ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917/14 "2017-02-27T19:31:57Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Yes, it’s sad, if only they had access to some sort of professional agency that they could trust with investigating leaks… You’re referring to Steve Bannon, West Wing Crime Fighter, right? ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917/15 "2017-02-27T19:35:08Z")
> [@Horatius](#): > > Yes, it’s sad, if only they had access to some sort of professional agency that they could trust with investigating leaks… They could give this outfit a special codename, like “The Butt Plugs”. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917/16 "2017-02-27T21:14:36Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > So I guess Sean-baby Spicer You’re comparing Spicy to to Our Lord and [del]Savior[/del] Entertainer Seanbaby? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![doorhinge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@doorhinge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doorhinge)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2017, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917/17 "2017-03-01T20:21:36Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Where I come from (Earth), investigations of alleged criminal activities are usually carried out by law enforcement officers, not press secretaries. > > Note that I did say “usually.” Not 100% of the time, as this story proves. While I’m glad that you know which planet your on, I’m not sure how it’s relevant to WH leaks? But thanks for sharing. So far, there doesn’t seem to be any actual criminal activity. Has anyone actually discovered that classified information was leaked to the news media outlets? Or to China, Isle of Lucy, Canada, or Liechtenstein. If actual criminal activity is discovered, I suspect that the FBI, NSA, BATFE, Secret Service, U.S. Marshals, and/or Paul D. Irving will be notified. If there has been no actual illegal activity, which law enforcement agency do you expect will conduct the investigation? ---
**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:** [March 1, 2017, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917/18 "2017-03-01T20:25:45Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > What/which “secret police” are you referring to? Someone is obviously leaking information, but in exchange for what? Money, power, to pay blackmail? You left out “To save the country?” ---
**Author:** ![74westy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/74westy/32/3950_2.png) [@74westy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/74westy)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2017, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917/19 "2017-03-01T21:37:19Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > While I’m glad that you know which planet your on, I’m not sure how it’s relevant to WH leaks? But thanks for sharing. > > So far, there doesn’t seem to be any actual criminal activity. Has anyone actually discovered that classified information was leaked to the news media outlets? Or to China, Isle of Lucy, Canada, or Liechtenstein. If actual criminal activity is discovered, I suspect that the FBI, NSA, BATFE, Secret Service, U.S. Marshals, and/or Paul D. Irving will be notified. > > If there has been no actual illegal activity, which law enforcement agency do you expect will conduct the investigation? I thinks somebody hacked your account! The only person in this thread who suggested illegal activity was also named doorhinge. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2017, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917/20 "2017-03-01T21:41:25Z")
> [@doorhinge](#): > > While I’m glad that you know which planet your on, I’m not sure how it’s relevant to WH leaks? But thanks for sharing. > > So far, there doesn’t seem to be any actual criminal activity. Has anyone actually discovered that classified information was leaked to the news media outlets? Or to China, Isle of Lucy, Canada, or Liechtenstein. If actual criminal activity is discovered, I suspect that the FBI, NSA, BATFE, Secret Service, U.S. Marshals, and/or Paul D. Irving will be notified. > > If there has been no actual illegal activity, which law enforcement agency do you expect will conduct the investigation? I’m pretty sure they’re leaking it to George Soros and Chelsea Clinton. That’s what I heard earlier, I think. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-police-state-arrives-in-the-west-wing/780917.md?page=2)