# 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:** 1477
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/29525 "2019-01-16T06:56:53Z")
Have we heard any more interesting stuff about our dear Mr Ross and the much admired Bank of Cyprus? The leader in terms of innovative and bold banking… ---
**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:** [January 16, 2019, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/29526 "2019-01-16T14:06:50Z")
> [@Guest-starring\_Id](#): > > …“Lick My Festering Pinkeye” … Band name. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/29527 "2019-01-16T14:35:35Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > You just know Trump believes that the Treasury Department only has to print more money and that will solve the cash flow problems. > [@Zakalwe](#): > > The gold bugs will go bonkers. They don’t understand inflation anyway, and too easily spun. TRUMP: Gold going up. Bigly up! Highest gold ever!!! ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/29528 "2019-01-16T14:54:36Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > I’d be happy to take that. We already have some radioactive material in our lab. I’m not afraid. You I’d trust with one (maybe). Some of your neighbors, [not so much](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goi%C3%A2nia_accident). ---
**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:** [January 16, 2019, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/29529 "2019-01-16T15:11:46Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > They don’t understand inflation anyway, and too easily spun. > > TRUMP: Gold going up. Bigly up! Highest gold ever!!! > [@](#): > > Gold prices reveal the true state of U.S. economic health. When today’s gold prices are high, that signals the economy is not healthy. Investors buy gold as protection from either an economic crisis or inflation. Low gold prices mean the economy is healthy. Investors have many other more profitable investments like stocks, bonds, or real estate. > > … > > Today’s gold prices reflect the beliefs of commodities traders. If they think the economy is doing poorly, then they will buy more gold. If they think the economy is doing well, they will buy less gold. Gold prices reveal what savvy investors know about economic health. … [Cite](https://www.thebalance.com/gold-prices-and-the-u-s-economy-3305656) Yeah. A good thing. Right. :dubious: ---
**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:** [January 16, 2019, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/29530 "2019-01-16T15:28:22Z")
[Pelosi has asked the president to reschedule his SotU, or just deliver it in writing](https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/16/pelosi-asks-trump-to-reschedule-state-of-the-union-address-1103047?fbclid=IwAR16fyd7ZNZnPAesLjSXPwOLVfE7f6xVHwRuNvSzoFAqpQxUVJUFfkkVusE) (maybe he could tweet it!). I can imagine giving this man a 90-minute window to spew bullshit about the Dems causing the shutdown doesn’t sound too appealing to Democratic leadership. What’s the protocol for the potus addressing the House? Can he still do it if the Speaker rescinds the invite? Or is the invite to deliver the SotU just a formality? ---
**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:** [January 16, 2019, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/29531 "2019-01-16T15:51:05Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > [Pelosi has asked the president to reschedule his SotU, or just deliver it in writing](https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/16/pelosi-asks-trump-to-reschedule-state-of-the-union-address-1103047?fbclid=IwAR16fyd7ZNZnPAesLjSXPwOLVfE7f6xVHwRuNvSzoFAqpQxUVJUFfkkVusE) (maybe he could tweet it!). > > I can imagine giving this man a 90-minute window to spew bullshit about the Dems causing the shutdown doesn’t sound too appealing to Democratic leadership. What’s the protocol for the potus addressing the House? Can he still do it if the Speaker rescinds the invite? Or is the invite to deliver the SotU just a formality? Hmmm… the most interesting thing about this is what will be his reaction to \*\*any \*\*request from Pelosi, that Hillary Clone? He doesn’t take advice or do what people want him to do, but the GALL of a woman who heads up the Congressional Opposition to ask him to do ANYTHING—well, that should create a Major Huff, or even a Colonel Huff. I have a feeling she’s yanking his chain. Good for her. The Rule of Thump: if you want him to do a thing, request the _opposite_. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/29532 "2019-01-16T15:54:36Z")
I was thinking nothing would more likely have him go in there looking like an idiot than a request by Pelosi to stay away. And, I’ll bet, he’ll fall for it. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/29533 "2019-01-16T15:58:11Z")
The Democrats can take turns shouting “You lie!” Or, for that matter, just saying it in the calm voice of noting the obvious. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/29534 "2019-01-16T16:00:07Z")
Amy “totes awesome” Klobuchar shared some [_bon mots_ last night on PBS](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/klobuchar-very-concerned-about-barrs-independence-in-light-of-mueller-memo%22) about her concerns with AG nominee Wiliam Barr, especially about recusal, his equivocating about what investigation details would be eventually released, and a 19-page June memo about his questionable views on obstruction of justice. Definitely a good listen. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/29535 "2019-01-16T16:00:23Z")
[ABC Political Analyst Matthew Dowd, on Twitter](https://twitter.com/matthewjdowd/status/1085561325227556864): > [@](#): > > Don’t be confused: Speaker Pelosi ain’t asking, she is telling. Bold move on her part telling President no dice on State of Union address in person at Capitol. Someone replied to that tweet, “Most don’t understand the President can only appear in the House chamber at the invitation of the Speaker and she just rescinded her invitation. Bold!” Dowd replied, “Exactly my friend”. So… Pelosi is telling Trump to go stuff it? Damn! Damn! ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/29536 "2019-01-16T16:07:06Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Friend, at this point in time, the US has no policy of any kind, period. Ain’t that right? Sad… ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/29537 "2019-01-16T16:10:57Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > [Pelosi has asked the president to reschedule his SotU, or just deliver it in writing](https://www.politico.com/story/2019/01/16/pelosi-asks-trump-to-reschedule-state-of-the-union-address-1103047?fbclid=IwAR16fyd7ZNZnPAesLjSXPwOLVfE7f6xVHwRuNvSzoFAqpQxUVJUFfkkVusE) (maybe he could tweet it!). > > I can imagine giving this man a 90-minute window to spew bullshit about the Dems causing the shutdown doesn’t sound too appealing to Democratic leadership. What’s the protocol for the potus addressing the House? Can he still do it if the Speaker rescinds the invite? Or is the invite to deliver the SotU just a formality? … :eek: Is there actually any precedent for that? ---
**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:** [January 16, 2019, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/29538 "2019-01-16T16:13:13Z")
> [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](#): > > … :eek: > > Is there actually any precedent for that? For which part? There’s certainly precedent for the “just send it in writing part”. Withdrawing an invitation is unusual, but then again Orangeanus Deploricus is an unusual specimen. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/29539 "2019-01-16T16:19:03Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > For which part? There’s certainly precedent for the “just send it in writing part”. Withdrawing an invitation is unusual, but then again Orangeanus Deploricus is an unusual specimen. Well, either. I was under the impression that it was pretty abnormal to not have a SOTU address. And sure - Trump’s probably just going to spend 90 minutes lying like the stupid sack of shit he is, but… still seems like an odd precedent thing, y’know? ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/29540 "2019-01-16T16:26:14Z")
The President can write the SOTU and have it delivered to Congress whenever he wants. However, he has to be invited to speak. Same thing the other way - Congresspeople have to be invited to the WH. It’s not a yearly requirement (“from time to time…”) but has been traditional to do an annual SOTU. ---
**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:** [January 16, 2019, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/29541 "2019-01-16T16:28:42Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > For which part? There’s certainly precedent for the “just send it in writing part”. Withdrawing an invitation is unusual, but then again Orangeanus Deploricus is an unusual specimen. Exactly. He feels no loyalty to norms and tradition. No reason to give Individual One the privilege of speaking to Congress. Let him stew at the White House and have the House in session that night for another vote to reopen the government. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/29542 "2019-01-16T16:29:07Z")
Well, it seems that something unprecedented happens around here every day, so today’s events are unprecedented but not unusual. 🙂 The President is required by the Constitution to inform Congress “from time to time” about the state of the Union. It can be done in writing. Presidents have only been addressing Congress since … Woodrow Wilson? 100 years ago. The President enters Congress by invitation only; he can’t just barge in and start talking. That’s why each SOTU begins with the House Sergeant-at-Arms announcing his arrival to the Speaker. ---
**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:** [January 16, 2019, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/29543 "2019-01-16T16:32:59Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Exactly. He feels no loyalty to norms and tradition. No reason to give Individual One the privilege of speaking to Congress. Let him stew at the White House and have the House in session that night for another vote to reopen the government. Hell, he’s probably perfectly happy to get out of making the address. This way he doesn’t have to cross the street in the cold, he avoids having to follow a prepared text (which he clearly hates doing), and he has no interest in speaking in front of a hostile crowd anyway. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2019, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/29544 "2019-01-16T16:39:50Z")
From Vox - Pelosi: Don’t blame me, blame Secretary Nielsen! > [@](#): > > Pelosi focused most of her attention on security. She pointed out that in September 2018, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen designated State of the Union addresses as “national special security events” (NSSEs) that need “the full resources of the Federal Government to be brought to bear” for the sake of safety and security. > > “The extraordinary demands presented by NSSEs require weeks of detailed planning with dozens of agencies working together to prepare for the safety of all participants,” Pelosi wrote. > > She also noted that the Secret Service, the lead federal agency responsible for coordinating and implementing security for NSSEs, and the Department of Homeland Security haven’t been funded for 26 days. Nine federal departments have been affected by the shutdown, including Homeland Security, Justice, and State. > **[Nancy Pelosi uninvites Trump from the State of the Union until the shutdown...](https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/1/16/18185226/nancy-pelosi-state-of-the-union-shutdown)** > > She also says he can deliver it in writing if he wants. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1476) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1478)