# The Trump Administration: A Clusterfuck in the Making Part Deux (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 22, 2020, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083 "2020-06-22T03:36:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 198
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3958 "2020-09-24T21:43:23Z")
The fact that this is even being discussed tells you how close to the precipice we are. No president we can recall ever talked about not respecting the outcome of an election because they knew that their party and their voters would never have supported it. Trump is openly talking about not respecting the outcome of an election because he thinks that his voters and his party will support him. Talking about refusing to respect the outcome of an election before the election takes place is already, in effect, refusing to accept the outcome of an election. **So this is not a hypothetical; this is already happening.** ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2020, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3959 "2020-09-24T21:46:20Z")
The flip side to this is that Democratic voters will receive similar scrutiny. Not just the votes, but the voters themselves. Are you a democratic voter who recently moved to another state? Were you registered last year or the year before in one state and now registered in another one that matters? Well, I wouldn’t be surprised if your vote gets special attention this year in the form of a criminal investigation for voter fraud. ---
**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:** [September 24, 2020, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3960 "2020-09-24T22:39:03Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > This owl is hilarious. Hey, how much for the owl? How could we forget the Bald Eagle that [attacked Trump](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7_OWYrLVOU) back in 2015? Do you suppose it was trying to tell us something? ---
**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:** [September 25, 2020, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3961 "2020-09-25T00:40:49Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > The flip side to this is that Democratic voters will receive similar scrutiny. Not just the votes, but the voters themselves. > > Are you a democratic voter who recently moved to another state? Were you registered last year or the year before in one state and now registered in another one that matters? Well, I wouldn’t be surprised if your vote gets special attention this year in the form of **a criminal investigation for voter fraud.** The most important part of this scenario, of course, is _publicizing it widely_. Expect billboards. (my bolding) ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3962 "2020-09-25T02:22:32Z")
> **[‘That’s what college kids do.’ DeSantis wants protections for partying students](https://www.politico.com/states/florida/story/2020/09/24/thats-what-college-kids-do-desantis-wants-protections-for-partying-students-1318392)** > > Calling the policies “incredibly draconian” at a public health event, the Republican governor said the state is exploring its options for students. Ironic that he says this on the same day the federal government executes someone for crimes committed when they were 19. > **[U.S. Executes Inmate Who Murdered Two Youth Ministers (Published 2020)](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/24/us/federal-execution-christopher-vialva.html)** > > Christopher Andre Vialva, 40, was the seventh federal inmate and the first Black man put to death since federal executions resumed in July. I guess ‘kids will be kids’ only applies to a certain type of kid. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3963 "2020-09-25T02:31:26Z")
Capital punishment has always been morally wrong in every circumstance, but that’s a pretty fucked-up post, **KarlGauss**. ---
**Author:** ![razordance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e47774/32.png) [@razordance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/razordance)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3964 "2020-09-25T02:40:27Z")
With brass knuckles. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3965 "2020-09-25T12:51:41Z")
the ballots in question were for the primary. pa had a delay due to the green party and the nov ballots are just starting to get mailed out now. I don’t believe any have been returned as yet. ---
**Author:** ![Oredigger77](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oredigger77/32/3181_2.png) [@Oredigger77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oredigger77)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3966 "2020-09-25T13:19:43Z")
Wait are you saying that every 19 year old in college parties and murders two people? ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3967 "2020-09-25T15:30:18Z")
The rampant, casual, out-in-the-open corruption with this admin is unbelievable. This quote wasn’t even the main focus of the article, but it was kind of shocking, even after 4 years of this shit. I mean, I’m sure it’s perfectly legal to use campaign money to pay for campaign offices, but at these ridiculously inflated prices? Holy jeez. No wonder his campaign is running out of money. > President Donald Trump has charged his own campaign hundreds of thousands of dollars in rent for offices in Trump Tower for more than five years… the rent started around $35,000 a month, then jumped over the $100,000 mark after Trump won the 2016 Republican nomination, before settling at its current rate of $37,541.67 a month, or about $450,500 a year. > **[Trump Tower Hicksville: Why is the Trump campaign sending rent checks to a...](https://www.salon.com/2020/09/25/trump-tower-hicksville-why-is-the-trump-campaign-sending-rent-checks-to-a-long-island-po-box/)** > > Trump campaign's rent payments to Hicksville, New York, might be of interest to a tax fraud investigation ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3968 "2020-09-25T17:48:12Z")
I take your point, but it doesn’t change my concerns. When’s the last time you can recall a U. S. Attorney proactively launching an investigation into discarded ballots for _any_ election? These matters are handled at the state level, not the federal level. Feds would only get involved if something was revealed to be under their jurisdiction after an investigation was opened by the state and the state made a referral. It’s also worth noting that Trump’s idiot mouthpiece official spokesperson, Kayleigh McEnany, is already out trying to make political hay over this “investigation.” ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3969 "2020-09-25T18:00:09Z")
> [@Oredigger77](#): > > Wait are you saying that every 19 year old in college parties and murders two people? No. I was saying that kids do stupid things, sometimes even vile and horrible things. And, that when they do, they probably don’t deserve the ultimate penalty. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3970 "2020-09-25T18:20:00Z")
Having a president who is clearly terrified of democracy isn’t a great look for the US of A. ---
**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:** [September 25, 2020, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3971 "2020-09-25T18:39:02Z")
**solost** Quoting Salon: > [@solost](#): > > President Donald Trump has charged his own campaign hundreds of thousands of dollars in rent for offices in Trump Tower for more than five years… the rent started around $35,000 a month, then jumped over the $100,000 mark after Trump won the 2016 Republican nomination, before settling at its current rate of $37,541.67 a month, or about $450,500 a year. I guess kickbacks from the marks are ok when done in the open. /s ---
**Author:** ![dummygladhands71](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c0e974/32.png) [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3972 "2020-09-25T18:52:33Z")
Just changed my ringtone to “Vote Him Out,” the chant from his appearance at RGB’s bier. I need all y’all to text me please. Music to my ears. ---
**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:** [September 25, 2020, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3973 "2020-09-25T19:08:57Z")
What we really need right now is for a Canadian actor to read the _E Plebnista_ to him in histrionic style. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/uGO-SldLrNA/hqdefault.jpg "The Omega Glory: Kirk's Greatest Speech") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGO-SldLrNA) [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3b56e0u0EgQ/hqdefault.jpg "Captain Kirk Preamble") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3b56e0u0EgQ) [Captain Kirk's Constitutional Speech - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bYkNptOJns). ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3974 "2020-09-25T20:16:52Z")
from what i understand, these were military ballots. they often come in after the election. they were opened because they were mixed in with ballot requests. in pa, a court ruling came down that ballots without privacy envelopes are to be rejected and not counted and discarded. they called in an investigation to find out if these 9, count them 9 primary ballots were discarded due to “naked ballots”. the court case came about because of the high amount of ballot requests and the fact that thousands of ballots will be discarded due to being “naked”. pa will start to send out ballots first week of oct. unless another court case delays it. we wouldn’t have heard about this if someone (trump/barr) hadn’t gone on tv and blathered about it. forcing the us attorney’s office to put out statements. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3975 "2020-09-25T20:20:46Z")
I think you know a lot more about this particular case than I do. 🙂 Thanks for setting me straight. Too much crap to keep track of now. I should probably go sit under a rock until at least January 20th. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3976 "2020-09-25T20:23:49Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > It’s also worth noting that Trump’s idiot mouthpiece official spokesperson, Kayleigh McEnany, is already out trying to make political hay over this “investigation.” Which - i’m sure – was the entire point. Some Trump operative was dispatched to find some discarded ballots, preferably votes for Trump, and turn them over to the FBI so they could be waved as irrefutable evidence of mail-in voter fraud. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2020, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/3977 "2020-09-25T20:28:22Z")
I am sure you are exactly right. In other news, perhaps Trump’s corporate supporters aren’t quite as pleased with him as he would like us to believe: > **[Some 3,500 U.S. companies sue over Trump-imposed Chinese tariffs](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-tariffs/some-3500-u-s-companies-sue-over-trump-imposed-chinese-tariffs-idUSKCN26G31G?il=0)** > > About 3,500 U.S. companies, including Tesla Inc , Ford Motor Co , Target Corp , Walgreen Co and Home Depot have sued the Trump administration in the last two weeks over the imposition of tariffs on more than $300 billion (£235.35 billion... Interesting timing to file this suit, for sure. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083.md?page=197) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083.md?page=199)