# 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:** 471
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/9426 "2021-01-31T05:20:09Z")
What the hell is going on here?? [# Donald Trump’s entire legal team quits week before impeachment trial: Sources](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/donald-trumps-entire-legal-team-quits-week-before-impeachment-trial-sources/ar-BB1dffvG?li=BBnb7Kz) Question. If he has no attorneys, can he delay the trial? ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/9427 "2021-01-31T05:30:59Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > What the hell is going on here? This: Trump wanted his team to argue there was [election](https://abcnews.go.com/alerts/elections) fraud, while the lawyers and some top advisers to the former president wanted the focus to remain on the constitutionality of a trial with the president no longer in office His lawyers wanted to argue a legitimate issue, if not necessarily very strong one. They may have a losing case, but it’s not a crazy case. Trump wanted them to argue nonsense with nothing. He’s insisting they set themselves to look stupid in a show trial(win or lose, because they’ll probably win just based on partisanship). They just aren’t dumb enough to be willing to shit themselves on the Senate floor at his command. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/9428 "2021-01-31T05:41:26Z")
This begins to explain how Rudy Giuliani was his personal attorney. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/9429 "2021-01-31T13:23:16Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > She’s not a lawyer. Granted, The Three Stooges Law Firm aren’t lawyers in any real sense either but Greene would not be allowed to act as an attorney in any court(I think). It’s not a court in the normal sense. The Senate having sole power over the trial could I believe force him to represent himself. If it were a Democratic President and McConnell were in charge, I wouldn’t be surprised if that is what happened. So, not having read the standard Senate rules for an impeachment trial, I’m guessing Trump can bring in whoever he wants to argue his case. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/9430 "2021-01-31T13:31:09Z")
He should be assigned a public attorney if no one is willing to represent him…and that public attorney should dedicate the same amount of time and money to his case as that attorney dedicates to all the other cases in that attorney’s caseload. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/9431 "2021-01-31T14:36:46Z")
Oh, yes…former President “I did it my way.” He’s his own worst enemy in situations like this, and it comes down to his philosophy of never backing down an inch and never admitting fault. What always struck me about last year’s impeachment is how freaking _easy_ it would’ve been for him to wriggle out from under the entire scandal in under 3 minutes. I could’ve written the speech. Turn on the con man charm. I’ve been a businessman my entire life and the rules are different. I’m passionate about wanting to continue to make America Great and I got carried away. I apologize to President Zelensky, Joe Biden and his family and the American people. It would’ve been total bullshit and everyone would’ve known it, but it would’ve worked. But not Trump. He’s got the art of “living the lie” nailed down in a way that makes crackheads jealous. Of course, as any crackhead who has ever gotten into legal trouble for “just standing on the corner, minding my own business” can tell you, that shit don’t work too good on judges. But I’m thrilled to discover he’s going to make “Massive election fraud, I really won big”, the cornerstone of his defense…for no other reason than it should keep him banned from social media for forever and ever. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/9432 "2021-01-31T14:40:29Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > But I’m thrilled to discover he’s going to make “Massive election fraud, I really won big”, the cornerstone of his defense…for no other reason than it should keep him banned from social media for forever and ever Too much social media is based on doing the _popular_ thing, not the _right_ thing. ---
**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:** [January 31, 2021, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/9433 "2021-01-31T15:39:20Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > But I’m thrilled to discover he’s going to make “Massive election fraud, I really won big”, the cornerstone of his defense…for no other reason than it should keep him banned from social media for forever and ever. Since he won’t be able to hire a lawyer any more competent than Giuliani to argue this, the entertainment value of the trial will also be considerable. The majority of Republicans have already shown that they are willing to acquit Trump on constitutional grounds, however weak. But Trump arguing this appears to be a tacit admission that his intent was to incite insurrection, because it was justified by election fraud. This will at least place them on record for acquitting on the basis of pure nonsense. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/9434 "2021-01-31T15:50:58Z")
Is this just Trump shooting himself in the dick? It looks like the Republicans were trying to give themselves, and him, an out here by making the argument that it’s Constitutionally impermissible to have this trial on a former president. They would acquit him and escape making a hard decision. Cowardly, but effective. He is insisting on full exoneration though, and arguing that not only was he not responsible for the violence on 1/6, but since he wants to argue that the election was stolen, that such violence was actually justified. Hence removing the GOP, and his, cowardly way out. Is this about the size of it? ---
**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:** [January 31, 2021, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/9435 "2021-01-31T16:05:58Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > He is insisting on full exoneration though, and arguing that not only was he not responsible for the violence on 1/6, but since he wants to argue that the election was stolen, that such violence was actually justified. It’s not clear that he won’t be arguing that he wasn’t responsible. He may actually admit that he tried to promote an insurrection that was justified due to electoral fraud. Which would be great. Actually, this will improve the chances that Democrats could actually unilaterally ban him from office on the basis of the 14th Amendment. That requires participating in an insurrection, not just inciting one. If the Senate acquitted him of inciting an insurrection it would be difficult to justify imposing it. But if he admits that’s what he did, it gives Democrats cover to ban him on that basis. Trump is often his own worst enemy. ---
**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:** [January 31, 2021, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/9436 "2021-01-31T16:24:28Z")
> **[Marjorie Taylor Greene suggested Ruth Bader Ginsburg had been replaced by a...](https://www.yahoo.com/news/marjorie-taylor-greene-suggested-ruth-224434475.html)** > > According to QAnon lore, the Supreme Court justice had died years earlier but her death was hidden as part of a conspiracy ---
**Author:** ![Toxgoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/9437 "2021-01-31T16:55:51Z")
I loathe this woman but it’s getting hard not to think she’s mentally ill. A horrible human being too, but they’re not mutually exclusive. ---
**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:** [January 31, 2021, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/9438 "2021-01-31T17:37:24Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Is this just Trump shooting himself in the dick? It looks like the Republicans were trying to give themselves, and him, an out here by making the argument that it’s Constitutionally impermissible to have this trial on a former president. They would acquit him and escape making a hard decision. Cowardly, but effective. The thing about trump is that he never does what others want or suggest even if they (correctly) believe it’s in his best (or better) interest. It has to be his way, his idea. He truly believes that he is the smartest person in the world and that everyone else is, if not an outright enemy, then is plotting in some way to undermine him. He has no sense of loyalty or friendship or even of collegiality. And, yes, it is him shooting himself in the dick. (Happy thought.) ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/9439 "2021-01-31T17:40:50Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > His lawyers wanted to argue a legitimate issue, if not necessarily very strong one. They may have a losing case, but it’s not a crazy case. Its not a losing case, because there is no losing case. Trumps entire defense case could be [“chicken chicken chicken”](https://www.youtube.com/watch/yL_-1d9OSdk) and he would still be acquitted. What is happening is that the Trump is (correctly) viewing this case purely in terms of public relations. His only political asset is that he has millions of rabid followers who would literally die for him, but only if he doesn’t show any weakness of compromise with the enemy. Meanwhile, his lawyers have their careers to worry about, and blatantly lying to congress on national TV, is not going to go over very well with the bar association. So they can’t pursue the defense that is probably best for Trumps own goals. Note that what is best for Trump is not the same as what is best for the Republican party. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/9440 "2021-01-31T17:49:02Z")
> [@Toxgoddess](#): > > I loathe this woman but it’s getting hard not to think she’s mentally ill. A horrible human being too, but they’re not mutually exclusive… In fact, it seems that these two things are now the Core Republican Values. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/9441 "2021-01-31T17:54:24Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > His only political asset is that he has millions of rabid followers who would literally die for him, but only if he doesn’t show any weakness of compromise with the enemy. No, he has rabid followers that would kill for him. The [shaman](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jake-angeli-qanon-shaman-speak-trump-impeachment-trial/) has already floated the idea of testifying against Trump at the trial, I assume for a reduction in charges\sentence. Others may follow suit. Like all criminals, they will turn on each other to save themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/9442 "2021-01-31T17:58:58Z")
I stand corrected. ---
**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:** [January 31, 2021, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/9443 "2021-01-31T18:06:00Z")
> [@Toxgoddess](#): > > I loathe this woman but it’s getting hard not to think she’s mentally ill. We used to be able to recognize mental illness in this country. Now we just call it a Republican and wonder how we can compromise with it. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/9444 "2021-01-31T18:10:31Z")
Thanks, Saint Ronnie! ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2021, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/9445 "2021-01-31T18:16:19Z")
You know, he was quite insistent on making sure those with mental issues had a nice sidewalk to sleep on instead of an expensive bed at a treatment center. Perhaps his goal was to strengthen the Republiopath Party by getting more crazy onto the streets. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083.md?page=470) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083.md?page=472)