# 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:** 1207
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24125 "2018-08-16T06:20:25Z")
Abuse of power doesn’t mean the act is illegal, the power to deny security clearances is clearly his, being as he currently infects the Oval Orifice. But in a just society, a man is not permitted to injure another man without good reason. Even if his action is technically legal, the use of such legal power for petty political gameplay is still…abuse of power. After all, you can hardly abuse power you haven’t got. ---
**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:** [August 16, 2018, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24126 "2018-08-16T11:55:22Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Aw, damn, now I gotta [boycott Sam Adams](https://boston.eater.com/2018/8/14/17687868/somerville-mayor-joe-curtatone-sam-adams-jim-koch) and not just Yuengling: Yeah, saw that, too. Disappointed, but I’m not drinking Samuel Adams anymore either. Still refuse to drink Yuengling. ---
**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:** [August 16, 2018, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24127 "2018-08-16T12:03:12Z")
I’m sure Brennan knew it was coming and probably doesn’t give a shit, but that’s not the point. The real problem with the revocation of Brennan’s clearance is the message that it sends to current civil service employees, which is that Trump and his house of crooks are trying to politicize civil service and bureaucracies. The message it sends, just like the firings of Comey, Strzok, and McCabe, and just like other civil service employees in the EPA, the Interior, the State, is that if you don’t show Trump loyalty, you could be next. It’s generally understood that the president and key administration officials shouldn’t have anything to do with making determinations on security clearances. They shouldn’t be directly involved in the hiring and firing of civil service personnel. The fact that they are is beyond disturbing. Every time he’s able to use his political influence to terminate employees or terminate former employees who retain their clearances, it brings us one step closer to government that can no longer be trusted to treat people fairly and impartially. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24128 "2018-08-16T12:36:01Z")
At this point, Trump might as well just make every Federal employee with a security clearance sign a pledge of allegiance to Trump, and revoke the clearance of those who don’t. That’s pretty much the way things are headed anyway. ---
**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:** [August 16, 2018, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24129 "2018-08-16T16:16:26Z")
[$92,000,000](http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-pol-military-parade-cost-92-million-20180816-story.html) to fluff up the Dotard’s already overinflated ego: > [@](#): > > President Trump’s obsession with pageantry could cost taxpayers a stunning $92 million. > > That’s the anticipated price tag on the military parade Trump has planned for Washington this fall… ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24130 "2018-08-16T16:27:13Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > At this point, Trump might as well just make every Federal employee with a security clearance sign a pledge of allegiance to Trump, and revoke the clearance of those who don’t. That’s pretty much the way things are headed anyway. “Ich schwöre: Ich werde dem Führer des Amerikanische Republik und Volkes Donald Trump treu und gehorsam sein, die Gesetze beachten, und meine Amtspflichten gewissenhaft erfüllen, so wahr mir Gott helfe.” ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24131 "2018-08-16T18:21:33Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > “Ich schwöre: Ich werde dem Führer des Amerikanische Republik und Volkes Donald Trump treu und gehorsam sein, die Gesetze beachten, und meine Amtspflichten gewissenhaft erfüllen, so wahr mir Gott helfe.” [Moderating] Please remember that all posts to the SDMB must be made in English. No warning issued. [/Moderating] ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24132 "2018-08-16T18:50:32Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > [Moderating] > Please remember that all posts to the SDMB must be made in English.[/Moderating] What if Little Nemo had posted it like this? > [@](#): > > Here’s the wording of the pledge: > > “Ich schwöre: Ich werde dem Führer des Amerikanische Republik und Volkes Donald Trump treu und gehorsam sein, die Gesetze beachten, und meine Amtspflichten gewissenhaft erfüllen, so wahr mir Gott helfe.” ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24133 "2018-08-16T19:08:01Z")
> [@CurtC](#): > > What if Little Nemo had posted it like this? Still leaves us mono-linguists (who don’t have time for google) in the dark. ETA: How about just including a translation after the German? ---
**Author:** ![Crybaby\_Boobie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crybaby_boobie/32/545_2.png) [@Crybaby\_Boobie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crybaby_Boobie)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24134 "2018-08-16T19:33:53Z")
So Omarosa has tapes of Lara Trump basically offering her a bribe. And Trump was yelling at anyone and everyone to have Omarosa arrested (on what charge you might ask? no one knows). Somehow Omarosa is going to bring this whole kit and kaboodle down. ---
**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, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24135 "2018-08-16T20:22:42Z")
> [@Crybaby\_Boobie](#): > > So Omarosa has tapes of Lara Trump basically offering her a bribe. And Trump was yelling at anyone and everyone to have Omarosa arrested (on what charge you might ask? no one knows). > > Somehow Omarosa is going to bring this whole kit and kaboodle down. That was the hope with Stormy Daniels. And maybe so, but not in a day or even a week. I don’t think she’s going to take Trump to court for anything, and Trump probably knows better than trying to accuse her of libel or anything. Maybe she’ll appear as a witness for Mueller. Otherwise, I don’t think she’ll have much more impact than reinforcing everyone’s current opinions. Stormy is still in the better position (outside of Mueller), since she’s actually pushing a legal case - which requires both sides to be honest. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24136 "2018-08-16T20:23:56Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Still leaves us mono-linguists (who don’t have time for google) in the dark. > > ETA: How about just including a translation after the German? I don’t speak German, but I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that it’s the oath that German soldiers had to take, swearing loyalty to Hitler personally. (With the name changed, of course.) ---
**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:** [August 16, 2018, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24137 "2018-08-16T20:26:13Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Still leaves us mono-linguists (who don’t have time for google) in the dark. > > ETA: How about just including a translation after the German? Google translates this as: I swear: I will be faithful and obedient to the leader of the American republic and people Donald Trump, observe the laws, and diligently fulfill my official duties, so help me God. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24138 "2018-08-16T20:27:22Z")
I left it in German because I figured it would make it easier for people to recognize the context. The translation is: _“I swear: I will be faithful and obedient to the leader of the American republic and people, Donald Trump, to observe the law, and to conscientiously fulfill my official duties, so help me God.”_ For those who don’t recognize it, it’s a direct lift of the loyalty oath that Adolf Hitler required all German government officials to take. He ordered the replacement of previous oath where they had pledged to uphold the constitution with new oaths where pledged personal loyalty to him. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24139 "2018-08-16T20:29:33Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > I don’t speak German, but I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that it’s the oath that German soldiers had to take, swearing loyalty to Hitler personally. (With the name changed, of course.) There was a different oath for German soldiers: _“I swear to God this sacred oath that to the Leader of the German Empire and people, Adolf Hitler, supreme commander of the armed forces, I shall render unconditional obedience and that as a brave soldier I shall at all times be prepared to give my life for this oath.”_ ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24140 "2018-08-16T21:03:15Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > [$92,000,000](http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-pol-military-parade-cost-92-million-20180816-story.html) to fluff up the Dotard’s already overinflated ego: The day before that idiots ego parade should be National Abandon a Clunker on the Streets of Washington Night. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24141 "2018-08-16T21:19:36Z")
Retired Admiral William McRaven [slams](https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/revoke-my-security-clearance-too-mr-president/2018/08/16/8b149b02-a178-11e8-93e3-24d1703d2a7a_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.854d4418d9d0) idiot Trump: > [@](#): > > Former CIA director John Brennan, whose security clearance you revoked on Wednesday, is one of the finest public servants I have ever known. Few Americans have done more to protect this country than John. He is a man of unparalleled integrity, whose honesty and character have never been in question, except by those who don’t know him. > > Therefore, I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency. > [@](#): > > Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation. McRaven 2020! ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24142 "2018-08-16T21:24:49Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > The day before that idiots ego parade should be National Abandon a Clunker on the Streets of Washington Night. They’d just get towed at owner expense. (Not that the idea I had of planting stinkbombs would turn out much better for perpetrators, but at least it would have an effect on the parade itself.) ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24143 "2018-08-16T21:25:22Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > [$92,000,000](http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-pol-military-parade-cost-92-million-20180816-story.html) to fluff up the Dotard’s already overinflated ego: So, they can find the money to pay for this, but can’t seem to scrape up the funds for better election security. :rolleyes: ---
**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 16, 2018, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24144 "2018-08-16T21:37:08Z")
It’s Republican financial theory. They say they’re conservative and fiscally responsible, and you’re supposed to parrot the talking points and buy the bullshit like a good little non thinker. I know, it doesn’t work for me, either. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1206) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1208)