# 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:** 1229
**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 27, 2018, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24565 "2018-08-27T17:54:11Z")
The flags at the White House are back up to full staff. Trump lowered them just long enough to follow the flag code for dead members of Congress, and no further. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2018, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24566 "2018-08-27T17:59:24Z")
Has he “field tested” this? Like, when he mentions Hillary or Maxine Waters at one of his knuckle-walker rallies, does he get the same robust response when he mentioned McCain? I would have thought that his base would have a pretty solid approval of John McCain. ---
**Author:** ![Toxgoddess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Toxgoddess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxgoddess)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2018, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24567 "2018-08-27T18:16:01Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > This. > > Once upon a time, for a moment, DJTknew enough about McCain to insult him, but right now, I"m guessing he doesn’t have a clear idea of who John McCain actually _was_, except that McCain wasn’t personally loyal to him and now he’s getting a lot of coverage just for dying. _“Why is that? Losers die. Why should they be in the headlines for that?”_ > > Wait and see-- a couple more days of _all McCain all the time_, and thump will do something really big and stupid to get back on the front page above the fold. He could try dying himself. That would generate a lot of coverage. He might get a lot of praise for it, too. I kid. (sorta) ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2018, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24568 "2018-08-27T18:30:45Z")
What color? ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2018, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24569 "2018-08-27T18:45:32Z")
From the **Onion** : [White House Releases Moving Statement Honoring Woman Who Called Obama An Arab In 2008](https://politics.theonion.com/white-house-releases-moving-statement-honoring-woman-wh-1828630290) _“… It is with great reverence that we celebrate the courage, life, and work of the woman who told John McCain at a 2008 campaign rally that she couldn’t trust Barack Obama because he was an Arab … she truly earned the title of ‘maverick’…"_ 😃 ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2018, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24570 "2018-08-27T19:38:23Z")
NM ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2018, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24571 "2018-08-27T20:32:59Z")
Trump backpedals, decides on boilerplate. White House will fly flag at half mast after all, release almost routine statement: [INDENT] Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain’s service to our country and, in his honor, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment. ``` I have asked Vice President Mike Pence to offer an address at the ceremony honoring Senator McCain at the United States Capitol this Friday. At the request of the McCain family, I have also authorized military transportation of Senator McCain’s remains from Arizona to Washington, D.C., military pallbearers and band support, and a horse and caisson transport during the service at the United States Naval Academy. Finally, I have asked General John Kelly, Secretary James Mattis, and Ambassador John Bolton to represent my Administration at his services. [/INDENT] Yes, yes, there's plenty to criticize. But sheesh, they should have just duck their heads and released something like this yesterday. ``` ---
**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 27, 2018, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24572 "2018-08-27T20:46:09Z")
I’ve got American cash money that says Trump didn’t have a single thing to do with writing that. Side bet - he’ll never know whats in it anyway because it’s far too long for him to read. ---
**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:** [August 27, 2018, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24573 "2018-08-27T20:46:21Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Trump backpedals, decides on boilerplate. White House will fly flag at half mast after all, release almost routine statement: [INDENT] Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain’s service to our country and, in his honor, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment. > > ``` > I have asked Vice President Mike Pence to offer an address at the ceremony honoring Senator McCain at the United States Capitol this Friday. > > At the request of the McCain family, I have also authorized military transportation of Senator McCain’s remains from Arizona to Washington, D.C., military pallbearers and band support, and a horse and caisson transport during the service at the United States Naval Academy. > > Finally, I have asked General John Kelly, Secretary James Mattis, and Ambassador John Bolton to represent my Administration at his services. [/INDENT] Yes, yes, there's plenty to criticize. But sheesh, they should have just duck their heads and released something like this yesterday. > > ``` Good grief. Who do you suppose beat DJT into submission? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2018, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24574 "2018-08-27T20:48:52Z")
And now for something completely different…but utterly predictable: North Korea is grumbing again: [North Korea accuses US of 'double-dealing' after Donald Trump cancels Pompeo visit | The Independent | The Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/north-korea-double-dealing-donald-trump-mike-pompeo-visit-cancelled-a8509281.html) > [@](#): > > “We cannot but take a serious note of the double-dealing attitudes of the US as it is busy staging secret drills involving man-killing special units while having a dialogue with a smile on its face,” it noted. Looks the affair between Trump and Kim is on the rocks. Any bet when he calls him “Rocket man” again in a tweet? ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2018, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24575 "2018-08-27T20:52:23Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > I’ve got American cash money that says Trump didn’t have a single thing to do with writing that. Side bet - he’ll never know whats in it anyway because it’s far too long for him to read. I daresay he didn’t know it was being released until it was released. It’s possible his staff said this is too big of an unforced error to allow him to continue with this tantrum. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2018, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24576 "2018-08-27T21:04:54Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > I’ve got American cash money that says Trump didn’t have a single thing to do with writing that. Side bet - he’ll never know whats in it anyway because it’s far too long for him to read. Didn’t write it, and is currently fuming like a Franklin stove that it was released, is my wager. ---
**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 27, 2018, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24577 "2018-08-27T21:19:00Z")
“At the request of the McCain Family…” I won’t be anywhere near the service. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2018, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24578 "2018-08-27T21:44:40Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Good grief. Who do you suppose beat DJT into submission? It appears to be the American Legion - just as they seem to have convinced him on his parade. ---
**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 27, 2018, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24579 "2018-08-27T21:54:26Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Good grief. Who do you suppose beat DJT into submission? I think it was the American Legion. They came out criticizing his flag antics. ---
**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 27, 2018, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24580 "2018-08-27T22:40:51Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > I daresay he didn’t know it was being released until it was released. It’s possible his staff said this is too big of an unforced error to allow him to continue with this tantrum. > [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Didn’t write it, and is currently fuming like a Franklin stove that it was released, is my wager. Agreed. I have this fantasy that someone in his administration just said, “Fuck it. I’m sending it out. I’m getting the flag lowered. Fire me. I don’t give a shit.” ---
**Author:** ![Anny\_Middon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc79bd/32.png) [@Anny\_Middon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anny_Middon)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2018, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24581 "2018-08-27T23:02:33Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Trump backpedals, decides on boilerplate. White House will fly flag at half mast after all, release almost routine statement: [INDENT] Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain’s service to our country and, in his honor, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment. > > ``` > I have asked Vice President Mike Pence to offer an address at the ceremony honoring Senator McCain at the United States Capitol this Friday. > > **At the request of the McCain family, I have also authorized military transportation of Senator McCain’s remains from Arizona to Washington, D.C., military pallbearers and band support, and a horse and caisson transport during the service at the United States Naval Academy.** > > Finally, I have asked General John Kelly, Secretary James Mattis, and Ambassador John Bolton to represent my Administration at his services. [/INDENT] Yes, yes, there's plenty to criticize. But sheesh, they should have just duck their heads and released something like this yesterday. > > ``` Does anyone know how much of the part I bolded needs a request from POTUS to happen? I’ve been to funerals that have included a military presence (I think it was an honor guard in both instances I remember), and I thought all that was needed was for the family to make a request. I know that if the funeral home is made aware that the deceased had military experience, even if it was decades ago, the federal government provides a flag, usually (but not always) used as a cover for the coffin during services. ---
**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 27, 2018, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24582 "2018-08-27T23:08:44Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Trump backpedals, decides on boilerplate. White House will fly flag at half mast after all, release almost routine statement: … Must be a ton of whiplash over at The Donald subreddit and on the MAGA Twitter feeds. Those 180 turns in rationalizing what Trump does have to _hurt_. ---
**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:** [August 27, 2018, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24583 "2018-08-27T23:21:12Z")
> [@Anny\_Middon](#): > > Does anyone know how much of the part I bolded needs a request from POTUS to happen? I’ve been to funerals that have included a military presence (I think it was an honor guard in both instances I remember), and I thought all that was needed was for the family to make a request. I know that if the funeral home is made aware that the deceased had military experience, even if it was decades ago, the federal government provides a flag, usually (but not always) used as a cover for the coffin during services. I think you’re right. That stuff is standard at a military funeral. I’m sure the family could have gotten the caisson, etc., without any intervention from anyone. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2018, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/24584 "2018-08-28T00:24:13Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Must be a ton of whiplash over at The Donald subreddit and on the MAGA Twitter feeds. Those 180 turns in rationalizing what Trump does have to _hurt_. Nope. I took a peek. Trump is taking the moral high ground after McCain insulted him by asking that he not go to the funeral. Really. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1228) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1230)