# 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:** 1206
**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:** [August 15, 2018, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24105 "2018-08-15T19:15:07Z")
Trump has revoked the security clearance of former CIA chief John Brennan. > **[Donald Trump revokes former CIA director John Brennan's security clearance](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/08/15/donald-trump-revokes-john-brennans-security-clearance/999340002/)** > > Former CIA director John Brennan has criticized President Donald Trump, who has revoked his security clearance. Thou shalt not speak ill of Donald Trump. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2018, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24106 "2018-08-15T19:56:16Z")
For, among other things: “erratic conduct and behavior,” “frenzied commentary,” “wild outbursts on the internet and television,” monetizing his official position, telling lies. It’s like ten thousand spoons when all I need is a knife. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2018, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24107 "2018-08-15T21:47:03Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > I’d be less surprised if he used Niger for that “explanation”. And, yes, the SOB is prejudiced against Blacks. There’s no other reason for that stunt, er, those stunts he pulled discriminating against Blacks in housing in New York It’s also the explanation for his carrying the flag for the racist birther BS. Please don’t forget the [Central Park Five](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Park_jogger_case#Accusations_by_Donald_Trump). That was among the worst. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2018, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24108 "2018-08-15T21:54:05Z")
Can you imagine still being a Trump supporter at this point? And yet 40% of our fellow citizens are just this stupid. When Clinton chastised his supporters for being deplorable, I thought she made a mistake and that it was a minority of his supporters and that the rest would come around. Turns out she was right and that most of them really are deplorable human beings. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2018, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24109 "2018-08-15T22:12:32Z")
Fuckin truth. Republicans have sold their souls for a rubber stamp president. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2018, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24110 "2018-08-15T22:28:28Z")
> [@jack batty](#): > > for, among other things: “erratic conduct and behavior,” “frenzied commentary,” “wild outbursts on the internet and television,” monetizing his official position, telling lies. iokwtdi ---
**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:** [August 15, 2018, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24111 "2018-08-15T22:32:30Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Fuckin truth. Republicans have sold their souls for a rubber stamp president. If only a rubber stamp is _all_ he was. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2018, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24112 "2018-08-15T22:40:12Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > Fuckin truth. Republicans have sold their souls for a rubber stamp president. Well, that and letting the Federalist Society name Supreme Court Justices. ---
**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:** [August 16, 2018, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24113 "2018-08-16T00:22:33Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > For, among other things: “erratic conduct and behavior,” “frenzied commentary,” “wild outbursts on the internet and television,” monetizing his official position, telling lies. … And all of those accusations are quite easily shown to be false. Which is sort of the point: the bully is telling everyone “_criticize me and I will make up stuff about you that’s completely unbelievable, but everyone will believe it anyway because I told them to_.” It’s a bald assertion of power. ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24114 "2018-08-16T00:31:43Z")
[A _Washington Post_ article](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/book-party/wp/2018/08/15/i-read-six-sycophantic-pro-trump-books-and-then-i-read-omarosa/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.9c79ada263e1) about sycophantic books about Trump may be an interesting read. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24115 "2018-08-16T01:08:48Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Trump has revoked the security clearance of former CIA chief John Brennan. > [Donald Trump revokes John Brennan's security clearance](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/08/15/donald-trump-revokes-john-brennans-security-clearance/999340002/) > > Thou shalt not speak ill of Donald Trump. It should be noted that revoking security clearances is basically holding hostage the ability for a service member to be able to protect the nation, in demand that they speak kindly of you. ---
**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:** [August 16, 2018, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24116 "2018-08-16T01:44:39Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > It should be noted that revoking security clearances is basically holding hostage the ability for a service member to be able to protect the nation, in demand that they speak kindly of you. Ah yes, a Nixonian Enemies List. That’s gonna work out just great. I note (per MSNBC) that the statement revoking Brennan’s clearance was undersigned solely by the President himself. It seems as though no one on the White House staff wanted to touch it with a bargepole. ---
**Author:** ![Courk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/91b2a8/32.png) [@Courk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Courk)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24117 "2018-08-16T03:08:27Z")
I don’t get the Brennan security thing. He’s a _former_ CIA chief, so why would he still need it? All the articles seem to assume I understand something that I clearly don’t. What am I missing? ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24118 "2018-08-16T03:13:34Z")
> [@Courk](#): > > I don’t get the Brennan security thing. He’s a _former_ CIA chief, so why would he still need it? All the articles seem to assume I understand something that I clearly don’t. What am I missing? It’s so that succeeding administrations can, if they need to or wish to, call upon the knowledge, experience, and analysis of such former high officials, and share classified information with them as part of the consultation. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24119 "2018-08-16T03:15:46Z")
> [@Courk](#): > > I don’t get the Brennan security thing. He’s a _former_ CIA chief, so why would he still need it? All the articles seem to assume I understand something that I clearly don’t. What am I missing? It’s also so the person who no longer has a security clearance can get a job which requires such clearance, i.e. government contractor. ---
**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:** [August 16, 2018, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24120 "2018-08-16T03:24:34Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > It’s also so the person who no longer has a security clearance can get a job which requires such clearance, i.e. government contractor. Couldn’t a person applying for a job go through the process again, and receive a new clearance? ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24121 "2018-08-16T03:28:04Z")
Correct, **Monty**. Unfortunately for our God-Emperor, taking away the clearance won’t silence his critics. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24122 "2018-08-16T03:36:32Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Couldn’t a person applying for a job go through the process again, and receive a new clearance? One may apply for a new clearance. The issue is that one must start anew if the clearance has been revoked instead of merely “in limbo”, taking time and resources. And, of course, the granting agency is part of the executive department. ---
**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:** [August 16, 2018, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24123 "2018-08-16T04:04:33Z")
Sarah Huckster named nine other people who need to watch their step or they’re going to lose their clearances, too. James R. Clapper, Jr. James B. Comey Michael V. Hayden Andrew G. McCabe Bruce G. Ohr Lisa Page Peter Strzok Susan E. Rice Sally Q. Yates ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24124 "2018-08-16T04:31:48Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Sarah Huckster named nine other people who need to watch their step or they’re going to lose their clearances, too. > James R. Clapper, Jr. > James B. Comey > Michael V. Hayden > Andrew G. McCabe > Bruce G. Ohr > Lisa Page > Peter Strzok > Susan E. Rice > Sally Q. Yates Comey, McCabe, Page and Strzok no longer have clearances. When you leave the FBI that is it. Clapper, Hayden, Rice and Yates are retired, fired, quit. Leaving the the interesting one - Ohr. He is still employed at the DOJ so it is likely that removing his clearance probably makes it impossible to do his job. His wife worked for FusionGPS (of Dossier fame) and he had contact with Steele. He is being called to testify in a closed door House GOP committee [investigation](http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/401875-house-gop-gears-up-for-bruce-ohr-interview). > [@](#): > > Ohr, who served as the department’s associate deputy attorney general and now currently works in the criminal division, is the latest target among House conservatives who claim there is ample evidence of bias against President Trump in the DOJ and FBI during the 2016 election. > > The DOJ and the committee reached an agreement for Ohr to appear before the committee on Aug. 28, DOJ spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores confirmed. > > This means Ohr will not be under subpoena power when he interviews with congressional investigators on the House Judiciary and House Oversight and Government Reform committees. The two panels are conducting a joint investigation into FBI and DOJ conduct during the 2016 election. > > While the committee staff are expected to do most of the questioning, several key Republican lawmakers have stated that they will return for their high profile guest. > > “We’re going to interview Bruce Ohr — not in a public circus setting, but in a deposition with no time limits,” House Oversight Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) told Fox News on Monday, noting that he will come back to Washington to question him. > > “And we are going to get to the bottom of what he did, why he did it, who he did it in concert with, whether he had the permission of the supervisors at the Department of Justice,” Gowdy added. > > Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) also said he will not miss the interview, telling The Hill on Tuesday: “I’m definitely going to be there.” > > Ohr has increasingly come under Republican scrutiny for his contacts with Simpson and former British spy Christopher Steele during the heated presidential campaign, a revelation that sparked demands from Trump allies for its own special counsel investigation into the DOJ and the FBI last December. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1205) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1207)