# 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:** 317
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2020, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6340 "2020-11-12T18:45:40Z")
I don’t wan to start a new thread on this, and I can’t find any threads that address this but, CAN tRump pardon himself? Is there anything in the Constitution that would prevent that? ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2020, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6341 "2020-11-12T18:51:13Z")
Discussed to death in this thread: [Should Trump be Prosecuted? - #125 by Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trump-be-prosecuted/925105/125) ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2020, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6342 "2020-11-12T18:52:20Z")
Ugh. I missed it. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2020, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6343 "2020-11-12T18:52:42Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > Discussed to death in this thread: [Should Trump be Prosecuted? - #125 by Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-trump-be-prosecuted/925105/125) And as I noted in yet another thread, it isn’t a question of whether he can do it. There is nothing to stop Trump from issuing such a proclamation. The issue is whether it will be honored or contested in the face of future indictments. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2020, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6344 "2020-11-12T19:02:12Z")
I keep wondering what he would pardon himself for. Doesn’t a pardon presume crimes? ---
**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:** [November 12, 2020, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6345 "2020-11-12T19:07:58Z")
Ford’s pardon of Nixon did not specify crimes. But that was never tested. Relevant text: > [@](#): > > Now, THEREFORE, I, GERALD R. FORD, President of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, have granted and by these presents do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States which he, Richard Nixon, has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 20, 1969 through August 9, 1974. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2020, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6346 "2020-11-12T21:26:19Z")
More info on the “election fraud” grift. “Donations under $8k to Trump ‘Election Defense’ instead go to President, RNC.” “As President Donald Trump seeks to discredit last week’s election with baseless claims of voter fraud, his team has bombarded his supporters with requests for money to help pay for legal challenges to the results: “The Left will try to STEAL this election!” reads one text. But any small-dollar donations from Trump’s grassroots donors won’t be going to legal expenses at all, according to a Reuters review of the legal language in the solicitations. A donor would have to give more than $8,000 before any money goes to the “recount account” established to finance election challenges, including recounts and lawsuits over alleged improprieties, the fundraising disclosures show…The fine print makes clear most of the money will go to other priorities.” > **[Donations under $8K to Trump ‘election defense’ instead go to president, RNC](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-trump-fundraising-insigh/donations-under-8k-to-trump-election-defense-instead-go-to-president-rnc-idUSKBN27R309)** > > As President Donald Trump seeks to discredit last week's election with baseless claims of voter fraud, his team has bombarded his supporters with requests for money to help pay for legal challenges to the results: “The Left will try to STEAL this... ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2020, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6347 "2020-11-12T21:50:12Z")
Individual 1 screamed at the FDA commissioner after Pfizer announced their vaccine, wanting to know why the announcement wasn’t made before the election. > **[Trump Screamed at FDA Commissioner After Pfizer’s Vaccine Announcement, Says...](https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-screamed-at-fda-commissioner-after-pfizers-vaccine-announcement-says-report)** > > President reportedly flew into a rage on hearing the news, and saw it as further evidence that he was somehow screwed out of election victory. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2020, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6348 "2020-11-12T22:45:52Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Individual 1 screamed at the FDA commissioner after Pfizer announced their vaccine, wanting to know why the announcement wasn’t made before the election. As I posted in the election follow-along thread, what even more stupid about Trump screaming at the FDA commissioner is that Pfizer hasn’t even submitted anything to the FDA yet. > [@Election Day \[Week\]\[Month\[s\]\] \[Year\] 2020 follow-along thread](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/election-day-week-2020-follow-along-thread/924618/5308): > > Not to mention the fact that the FDA hasn’t approved anything yet. Pfizer hasn’t even applied for approval yet. They are planning to submit their application for emergency use authorization “after the third week of November.” ---
**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:** [November 12, 2020, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6349 "2020-11-12T22:49:59Z")
It’s also worth pointing out, as I’m sure others may have done upthread but I haven’t seen them, that Pfizer did not accept any government money to develop their vaccine. They were not a part of Operation Whiz Fuck or whatever the Trump Cabal called it. ---
**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:** [November 12, 2020, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6350 "2020-11-12T22:53:50Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Operation Whiz Fuck 🤣 😂 ---
**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:** [November 12, 2020, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6351 "2020-11-12T22:55:17Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Operation Whiz Fuck Band name! ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2020, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6352 "2020-11-12T23:02:54Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > It’s also worth pointing out, as I’m sure others may have done upthread but I haven’t seen them, that Pfizer did not accept any government money to develop their vaccine. They were not a part of Operation Whiz Fuck or whatever the Trump Cabal called it. Just in case your Trump friends attempt to quibble: Pfizer has a ~$2bn contract to receive Operation Warp Speed cash as a _supplier_ but (as stated) did not received any OWS cash to _develop_ the vaccine. So once the vaccine is ready they’ll get the cash in return for providing 100m doses, but they didn’t get any to help them create it in the first place. ---
**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:** [November 12, 2020, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6353 "2020-11-12T23:39:04Z")
Baby needs his binkie: > **[Trump rails against ‘medical deep state’ after Pfizer vaccine news comes...](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/11/11/trump-angry-about-pfizer-vaccine/)** > > President Trump is lashing out at the Food and Drug Administration following a disclosure Monday that an experimental coronavirus vaccine from pharmaceutical giant Pfizer is more than 90 percent effective, convinced the timing — six days after... > Trump called Hahn shortly before he tweeted Monday and was “screaming at him” about the Pfizer announcement, in the words of one senior administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe sensitive matters. The accusations against the FDA may further fuel baseless conspiracy theories that the election was stolen from Trump… ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2020, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6354 "2020-11-12T23:40:51Z")
> [@robby](#): > > As I posted in the election follow-along thread, what even more stupid about Trump screaming at the FDA commissioner is that Pfizer hasn’t even submitted anything to the FDA yet. Funny thing is, Pfizer making this announcement two weeks ago could actually have been a big boost for Trump, even though his program had nothing to do with it. (Neither he nor his supporters would have cared about that small detail.) He would have claimed it as a victory of his own doing. Thanks, Pfizer! ---
**Author:** ![Rick\_Kitchen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rick_kitchen/32/522_2.png) [@Rick\_Kitchen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick_Kitchen)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2020, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6355 "2020-11-13T00:40:03Z")
One of Individual 1’s lawyers claims that Biden should prove that he won the election. > **[Trump Attorney Mocked For Demanding Biden Prove Trump's Fraud Claims](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jenna-ellis-biden-prove-trump-fraud-claims_n_5fad8096c5b6ed84597f67c4)** > > "So a vote count is insufficient proof?" one Twitter user wondered. ---
**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:** [November 13, 2020, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6356 "2020-11-13T00:45:48Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > Funny thing is, Pfizer making this announcement two weeks ago could actually have been a big boost for Trump, even though his program had nothing to do with it. (Neither he nor his supporters would have cared about that small detail.) He would have claimed it as a victory of his own doing. > > Thanks, Pfizer! That’s exactly why DJT is so mad at them. He’s saying they withheld the announcement deliberately just to be mean to widdle ol’ him. ---
**Author:** ![Skypist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skypist/32/169_2.png) [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2020, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6357 "2020-11-13T00:52:11Z")
I guess he thinks the FDA was in cahoots with Pfizer to purposely hold back the initial results. It makes no sense at all. If Pfizer hasn’t applied for FDA approval and isn’t taking OWS money unless and until they provide an approved vaccine, then the FDA has nothing to do with it AFAIK. Trump was probably just afraid to call Pfizer and scream at _them._ ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2020, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6358 "2020-11-13T00:54:18Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > That’s exactly why DJT is so mad at them. He’s saying they withheld the announcement deliberately just to be mean to widdle ol’ him. - I wonder if they actually _did_ delay the announcement to avoid becoming an unwilling pawn. After all, it won’t extend the time before the vaccine is available to the masses. ---
**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:** [November 13, 2020, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/6359 "2020-11-13T00:56:31Z")
> [@Skypist](#): > > It makes no sense at all. Sigh. \<_ThelmaLou offers @Skypist a cup of warm herbal tea and a soft cookie_\> "I know it doesn’t makes sense. So much doesn’t anymore. It’ll be okay. Here, drink this. I’ll bring you a warm blankie later and you can rest… Things might look better in the morning. Or, maybe not. " [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083.md?page=316) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083.md?page=318)