# The Trump Administration: A Clusterfuck in the Making **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 7, 2016, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070 "2016-12-07T00:25:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1047
**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:** [June 2, 2018, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/20925 "2018-06-02T04:49:47Z")
[More Scott Pruitt news](https://apnews.com/374e522f4a5b47e58db436f7c43832cd/Lobbyist-tied-to-EPA-chief's-condo-tried-to-influence-agency): > [@](#): > > Newly filed reports show the Washington lobbyist whose wife rented a bargain-priced Capitol Hill condo to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt had far more contact with the agency than previously disclosed, despite repeated denials by both men. > > Powerhouse lobbying firm Williams & Jensen amended its 2017 disclosure filings to show that former chairman J. Steven Hart contacted EPA on behalf of the Coca-Cola Company, pork producer Smithfield Foods and a board overseeing the finances of hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico. > > Pruitt has denied that Hart lobbied his agency in 2017, most recently during congressional testimony last month. The firm amended its required federal lobbying disclosures after an extensive review of Hart’s emails, calendar entries and other materials. > [@](#): > > Both Pruitt and Hart have publicly denied the lobbyist had conducted any business with EPA in 2017. At a May 16 hearing before a Senate appropriations subcommittee, the embattled EPA chief erroneously insisted that Hart had not lobbied the government last year. > > “Steve Hart is someone that was not registered as a lobbyist in 2017,” Pruitt testified. “He’s a longtime associate and friend.” > > Records showed that Hart was in fact a registered lobbyist in 2017, though at the time it had not yet been formally disclosed that he directly lobbied Pruitt’s agency. Federal law makes it a crime to “knowingly and willfully” give materially false statements to Congress. > > EPA spokesman Jahan Wilcox did not respond to requests for comment Friday night about whether Pruitt still stood by his testimony. > > A spokesman for Hart did not respond to phone or email Friday. ---
**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:** [June 2, 2018, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/20926 "2018-06-02T04:51:34Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > I think Melania might be having a complete breakdown. > > I’ve said it before: I _do_ feel sorry for her, and Barron. Yes, she’s a gold digger and maybe she should have had some idea what kind of shit bag she was marrying, but I don’t think anyone in their wildest dreams could have imagined Trump would have ended up being president and sucking her (and everyone else) into the vortex of his shit tornado. She made a mistake. We all make mistakes. Aye but Melania is more like a pickpocket who got their finger caught in a rusty mousetrap: it’s hard to feel too much sympathy, even tho we recognize and understand their pain. ---
**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:** [June 2, 2018, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/20927 "2018-06-02T04:53:19Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > [More Scott Pruitt news](https://apnews.com/374e522f4a5b47e58db436f7c43832cd/Lobbyist-tied-to-EPA-chief's-condo-tried-to-influence-agency): If you want to know the future of this country, just chew on the pure, raw, naked corruption of Scott Pruitt, and the fact that 18 months later, he’s nowhere close to being removed from office. We’re a frog that’s getting boiled. We’re used to this level of corruption now. It doesn’t even faze us. People who believe that the Mueller investigation is going to put an end to the Trump era of misrule are sorely mistaken. For the moment, there is no rule of law as it applies to the president. And if we re-elect the GOP in 2018 and 2020, it’s over forever. ---
**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:** [June 2, 2018, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/20928 "2018-06-02T05:06:43Z")
Aye; I’m still not arguing with you, nor do I think you’re overstating things. ---
**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:** [June 2, 2018, 6:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/20929 "2018-06-02T06:26:11Z")
What’s happening in this country right now is not that much different from what has happened in Venezuela, Turkey, or Russia. There are obvious differences in that our democratic traditions are longer and stronger, but conversely, our electorate is arguably more apathetic, politically. It doesn’t take long to destroy a democracy – maybe 4-10 years, with 10 years being the maximum limit. Even if the Trump era ends in 2020 (or before), there are many disturbing and destabilizing precedents that have been established. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2018, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/20930 "2018-06-02T17:30:38Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > What’s happening in this country right now is not that much different from what has happened in Venezuela, Turkey, or Russia. There are obvious differences in that our democratic traditions are longer and stronger, but conversely, our electorate is arguably more apathetic, politically. It doesn’t take long to destroy a democracy – maybe 4-10 years, with 10 years being the maximum limit. Even if the Trump era ends in 2020 (or before), there are many disturbing and destabilizing precedents that have been established. It was just the other day that I was thinking about how we’re just a sudden catalyst away from being Colombia circa 1948’s [La Violencia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Violencia). > [@](#): > > As a result of La Violencia there were no liberal candidates for the presidency, congress, or any public corporations in the 1950 elections. The press accused the government of pogroms against the opposition. Censorship and reprisals were common against journalists, writers, and directors of news services. In consequence many media figures left the country. ---
**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:** [June 3, 2018, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/20931 "2018-06-03T00:46:06Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > It was just the other day that I was thinking about how we’re just a sudden catalyst away from being Colombia circa 1948’s [La Violencia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Violencia). The first step that authoritarians take is to **gain consent to be authoritarian**. That is what is happening right before our very eyes. I realize that most SDMB posters aren’t giving Trumpists that consent and maybe even a fair number of Trump’s own voters don’t consciously believe they’re giving him that consent, but giving it to them they (and we) absolutely are, through our indifference and inaction. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2018, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/20932 "2018-06-03T01:34:20Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > It was just the other day that I was thinking about how we’re just a sudden catalyst away from being Colombia circa 1948’s [La Violencia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Violencia). If Trump can scare all Democrats away from office in California and Washington, I’ll be extremely surprised. Not that I don’t think things can get bad, but I still refuse to believe that the end result will be “the United States exactly as it is formed and structured right now, except fascist/dictatorship.” I just don’t think it’ll happen that particular way. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2018, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/20933 "2018-06-03T03:14:08Z")
Yes, I’m being quite a bit facetious, but who says the United States exactly as it’s formed and structured is necessary? Just continue the steady march towards oligopoly and those in power can just carve off that chunk, sell it and call it Panama North. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2018, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/20934 "2018-06-03T04:18:40Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > I think Melania might be having a complete breakdown. > > I’ve said it before: I _do_ feel sorry for her, and Barron. Yes, she’s a gold digger and maybe she should have had some idea what kind of shit bag she was marrying, but I don’t think anyone in their wildest dreams could have imagined Trump would have ended up being president and sucking her (and everyone else) into the vortex of his shit tornado. She made a mistake. We all make mistakes. She vants to be alone. On a side note, just to be clear, Ivamka really _is_ a cunt. ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2018, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/20935 "2018-06-03T04:24:19Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > On a side note, just to be clear, Ivamka really _is_ a cunt. And feckless. Don’t forget feckless. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2018, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/20936 "2018-06-03T04:27:53Z")
> [@Tatterdemalion](#): > > And feckless. Don’t forget feckless. Not being from the 19th century, I was thinking of a different adjective. I thought that was the really odd part for Samantha Bee. ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2018, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/20937 "2018-06-03T04:36:29Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Not being from the 19th century, I was thinking of a different adjective. I thought that was the really odd part for Samantha Bee. Well, what’s a vowel shift between friends. ---
**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:** [June 3, 2018, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/20938 "2018-06-03T04:37:46Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > My stomping grounds (professionally, that is). 5th Avenue is almost exclusively apartment buildings North of 59th Street ( where Central Park begins ). There are quite a few private townhouses in the area but they are mostly located on the cross streets off of 5th Avenue. South of 59th, it’s mostly office buildings but there are some residential buildings (like Trump Tower) > > But there are a few private houses on 5th - here’s one -it’s in the middle of the block surrounded by apartment buildings. > > [https://www.google.com/maps/place/852+5th+Ave,+New+York,+NY+10065/@40.768805,-73.9697485,3a,39.7y,69.73h,104.88t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sMHGfWBbpuBOtb7mBiEm25w!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c258edc4935ccb:0xc6e24d58366067b0?gl=us](https://www.google.com/maps/place/852+5th+Ave,+New+York,+NY+10065/@40.768805,-73.9697485,3a,39.7y,69.73h,104.88t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sMHGfWBbpuBOtb7mBiEm25w!2e0!4m2!3m1!1s0x89c258edc4935ccb:0xc6e24d58366067b0?gl=us) > > And there are several ground floor apartments with private street level entrances that feel like private homes. Huh. Is Fifth Ave. a one-way street? And isn’t that a VW? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2018, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/20939 "2018-06-03T04:37:58Z")
> [@Tatterdemalion](#): > > Well, what’s a vowel shift between friends. Um, _still_ thinking of a different adjective. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2018, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/20940 "2018-06-03T04:45:52Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > Yes, I’m being quite a bit facetious, but who says the United States exactly as it’s formed and structured is necessary? Just continue the steady march towards oligopoly and those in power can just carve off that chunk, sell it and call it Panama North. Well, it sort of seems to be an implicit assumption of many who are fearful of the future under Trump (as well as SF writers, but I digress). They certainly seem to envision a fascist dictatorship from sea to shining sea, every door of the country under the complete command of a tyrant DC. An equally bad thing may very well happen, but that? No. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2018, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/20941 "2018-06-03T05:19:13Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > She vants to be alone. > > On a side note, just to be clear, Ivamka really _is_ a cunt. Minnie Driver says Ivanka has neither the warmth or depth required… ---
**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:** [June 3, 2018, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/20942 "2018-06-03T05:23:49Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Huh. > > Is Fifth Ave. a one-way street? And isn’t that a VW? It is not unusual for larger cities to be laced with one way streets in the core area. And, well, I can tell you that is not a Mercedes or BMW. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2018, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/20943 "2018-06-03T05:27:06Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Minnie Driver says Ivanka has neither the warmth or depth required… But she _is_ all wet. ---
**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:** [June 3, 2018, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/20944 "2018-06-03T06:06:45Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > It is not unusual for larger cities to be laced with one way streets in the core area. And, well, I can tell you that is not a Mercedes or BMW. I tried zooming in on the wheel covers (hubcaps). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1046) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1048)