# 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:** 57
**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:** [July 18, 2020, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/1129 "2020-07-18T17:02:06Z")
There’s nothing contradictory about gun rights and having some boundaries or regulation. The gun rights lobby created a false dichotomy in which anything short of an absolute right to stockpile a home arsenal is tantamount to repeal of the second amendment. Oregon’s governor would be wise not to call up anyone. It’s the kind of escalation and provocation that Trump is looking for. It’s better to instead put the spotlight on the kinds of actions that ought to make everyone concerned. A lot of people - even some Trump supporters - don’t like the thought of having federal troops roaming around cities, swooping up citizens and putting them blindfolded into SUVs. Let the outrage build first before advocating any kind of act that could be perceived as a physical confrontation or escalation of force. ---
**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:** [July 18, 2020, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/1130 "2020-07-18T17:08:05Z")
Your concerns are the same as mine. I think that this is exactly what they’re thinking: they’re increasingly worried about losing in November. More than that, there are some who are worried about what happens if or when they lose. Some people are looking at potential legal jeopardy, most notably the president himself. I’ve been on record as saying that Biden should not prosecute the president. I’d go after his business interests instead and save criminal prosecution for people who got away with crimes. I’m fairly certain that the feds didn’t charge Roger Stone and others with all the crimes they could have, and I’d reopen those investigations and throw the effing book at them if I were Biden. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2020, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/1131 "2020-07-18T17:39:04Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Heck, I’ll be even North Korea does it!- Well, whenever they’ve got gas in the car, anyway. ---
**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:** [July 18, 2020, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/1132 "2020-07-18T20:38:20Z")
The White House has taken down the official portraits of Clinton and Dubya and hidden them off in a store room. [White House portraits of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush moved from prominent space to rarely used room | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/17/politics/white-house-portraits-clinton-bush-trump/index.html)? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2020, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/1133 "2020-07-18T20:43:48Z")
Was Obama already regulated to storage? Clinton I get, but why Dubya, too? ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2020, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/1134 "2020-07-18T20:45:00Z")
Obama’s portrait hasn’t been hung. Obama said he wouldn’t participate in an unveiling conducted by 45, and 45 hates Obama so much he didn’t want to have an unveiling anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2020, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/1135 "2020-07-18T20:45:39Z")
Ah, right, I’d heard that but forgotten about it. ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2020, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/1136 "2020-07-18T20:49:01Z")
# Trump administration pushing to block new money for testing, tracing, and CDC in upcoming coronavirus relief bill So, basically, he’s ready to sacrifice people’s lives and the economy because he wants cases to appear to be low to help him win an election. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/07/18/white-house-testing-budget-cdc-coronavirus/?utm\_campaign=wp\_main&utm\_medium=social&utm\_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR2Z4JgOtE\_wRZLUxIuJ\_GNwERmPnLP3Fsdi6N4rIp5FSV4mwMxORmb5kL4](https://www.washingtonpost.com/us-policy/2020/07/18/white-house-testing-budget-cdc-coronavirus/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR2Z4JgOtE_wRZLUxIuJ_GNwERmPnLP3Fsdi6N4rIp5FSV4mwMxORmb5kL4) ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2020, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/1137 "2020-07-18T20:56:26Z")
Yep. He wants the citizens to die for their Dear Leader if their continued existence is inconvenient. ---
**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:** [July 18, 2020, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/1138 "2020-07-18T21:18:47Z")
Nah; that would mean he’s actually thinking about it. [He’s not.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/rancor-between-scientists-and-trump-allies-threatens-pandemic-response-as-cases-surge/2020/07/17/d950e9b6-c777-11ea-a99f-3bbdffb1af38_story.html) > [@](#): > > Trump in recent weeks has been committing less of his time and energy to managing the pandemic, according to advisers, and has only occasionally spoken in detail about the topic in his public appearances. One of these advisers said the president is “not really working this anymore. **He doesn’t want to be distracted by it.** He’s not calling and asking about data. He’s not worried about cases.” ---
**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:** [July 18, 2020, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/1139 "2020-07-18T21:22:47Z")
Let’s face it, he’s bored with the pandemic. Been there, done that, people died, got the t-shirt. Time to move on. ---
**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:** [July 18, 2020, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/1140 "2020-07-18T21:45:52Z")
[CoronaVirus to Trump] Move on? Hold my Corona beer! [CV] ---
**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:** [July 18, 2020, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/1141 "2020-07-18T22:04:47Z")
[https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-boasts-of-putting-a-lot-more-water-in-dishwashers-and-bringing-back-old-fashioned-bulbs/ar-BB16So6S](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-boasts-of-putting-a-lot-more-water-in-dishwashers-and-bringing-back-old-fashioned-bulbs/ar-BB16So6S) How pathetic is this? He can’t even come up with new stupid shit to say; he’s just repeating himself. Gotta love the way this guy sets his priorities, tho, amirite? “#1 - prove that my niece was right about me being a sociopath…” ---
**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:** [July 19, 2020, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/1142 "2020-07-19T00:54:07Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > The White House has taken down the official portraits of Clinton and Dubya and hidden them off in a store room. > [https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/17/politics/white-house-portraits-clinton-bush-trump/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/17/politics/white-house-portraits-clinton-bush-trump/index.html)? It’s worse than that. Trump has turned the room into a storeroom, but according to the linked CNN article, the room had been “taken off the list of locations visited during White House tours before the pandemic closed the executive mansion to the public.” Why is this significant? Because prior to this: > [@CNN](#): > > The Old Family Dining Room had been renovated in 2015 by Michelle Obama, with donations from the private White House Historical Association, and for the first time was open to public for viewing. The room, which was established by President and Mrs. John Quincy Adams in 1825, was decorated with modern art, including “Resurrection” by Alma Thomas, the first Black female artist to be part of the permanent White House collection. ---
**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:** [July 19, 2020, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/1143 "2020-07-19T01:31:34Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > … Oregon’s governor would be wise not to call up anyone. It’s the kind of escalation and provocation that Trump is looking for. … I agree, and in fact Steve Schmidt, today, is advocating _not_ for Oregon calling up troops, but for Congress legislatively reining in the Department of Homeland Security–the vehicle being used by Trump’s handlers to justify Trump’s personal police force (mainly made up of Border Patrol and ICE personnel). > [@](#): > > Steve Schmidt @SteveSchmidtSES > … No law enforcement agency in this country should be clad in the types of uniforms we are seeing in Portland. Congressional action should be taken to demilitarize these agencies. “Homeland Security” has long been an inappropriate name for a Federal cabinet agency. The name has always had a dystopian and totalitarian stench. Now this agency has metastasized into something that is dangerous, illiberal and completely out of control. > > Whatever actual number of Federal Law Enforcement Agencies there may be we should [h]ave fewer of them. The men we are watching assault the civil liberties of US Citizens are the dregs and the bottom of the proverbial law enforcement barrel. They are an egregious affront to every Peace Officer who wears a badge for the purpose of protecting and serving our communities. … > A chilling TPM article by Josh Marshall begins: > [@](#): > > When asked about calls for an investigation into DHS police tactics in Portland, Oregon, Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli [tells NPR](https://www.npr.org/2020/07/17/892393079/dhs-official-on-reports-of-federal-officers-detaining-protesters-in-portland-ore) not only are they not going to stop but they want to take the tactics nationwide. [https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/dhs-under-boss-were-taking-this-national](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/dhs-under-boss-were-taking-this-national) As to why they debuted this jackboot-thuggery now instead of right before the election: Trump’s numbers are going down even among his faithful. Someone decided that getting footage NOW for FoxNews, showing Trump’s personal police sticking it to those terrifying Antifa hoardes, was worth showing their cards early. After all, Trump’s GOP enablers have rubber stamped everything _else_ he’s done…why would they put any roadblocks in the way of his plans now? ETA: sorry, TPM link was to shorter article than the one I intended, which is here: [https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/cuccinelli-totally-legal-and-totally-cool-how-cpb-and-ice-now-control-your-city](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/cuccinelli-totally-legal-and-totally-cool-how-cpb-and-ice-now-control-your-city) ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2020, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/1144 "2020-07-19T02:11:35Z")
Evidently these guys are the newest poster children for Trump’s campaign. > **[Trump campaign event features St. Louis couple who pointed guns at protesters](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mark-patricia-mccloskey-guns-kimberly-guilfoyle-interview-trump-camapign/?fbclid=IwAR1jUGrDyUUKJRj3cwtzpMkllaI8hbsV0mVgdRbEcfnQwU1rJ5tc8V20vJI)** > > They were interviewed by Kimberly Guilfoyle​, the girlfriend of Donald Trump Jr. and former Fox News personality who now hosts a web series for the campaign. ---
**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:** [July 19, 2020, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/1145 "2020-07-19T02:49:55Z")
How long before Trump tweets directly that if you kill his enemies, you’ll be pardoned? ---
**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:** [July 19, 2020, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/1146 "2020-07-19T02:55:23Z")
I dunno where to put this, exactly, but y’al may not have heard that Trump is now doing “tele-rallies”; [tonight he did one with folks in Michigan for 23 minutes](https://youtu.be/AticIyfJaXA). He sounds tired and bored while he’s reading his opening remarks; pretty much the entire 23 and a half minutes is him bragging about how great he is. ---
**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:** [July 19, 2020, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/1147 "2020-07-19T04:08:32Z")
Chilling new ad from the Lincoln Project: > **[The Lincoln Project: WALL](https://lincolnproject.us/wall/)** > > Trump is building his wall — just not the one he promised. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2020, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083/1148 "2020-07-19T12:33:24Z")
A classmate/friend throughout childhood and teen years is the daughter of a Russian-born dissident who risked his life in the early 70s to keep hope alive among his fellow citizens against the Soviet regime. In a Facebook exchange, she (without hyperbole) mentioned that the developments in Portland sounded dismayingly familiar. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083.md?page=56) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making-part-deux-part-1/911083.md?page=58)