# 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:** 1520
**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:** [February 6, 2019, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/30385 "2019-02-06T23:02:43Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Individual 1 campaign staffer Katrina Pierson Did John McCain ever get around to [answering her questions](https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/the-wrap/article/Meghan-McCain-Calls-Katrina-Pierson-One-of-the-13485193.php)? > [@](#): > > The late John McCain’s daughter, Meghan McCain, called Katrina Pierson “one of the dumbest people ever to work for Trump” after Pierson appeared to call on the late senator to answer questions – without taking note of his death earlier this year… ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2019, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/30386 "2019-02-06T23:49:43Z")
Trump confirms his SOTU comment about needing [more legal immigrants](https://nypost.com/2019/02/06/trump-says-us-needs-more-immigrants-because-of-low-unemployment) (as Miller and Cotton’s heads explode) because of low unemployment. I guess Eric is having a hard time hiring replacement staff to replace all the undocumented workers at the golf resorts… ---
**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:** [February 7, 2019, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/30387 "2019-02-07T17:45:19Z")
[Trump Accidentally Praises the ‘Abolition of Civil Rights’](http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/02/trump-accidentally-praises-the-abolition-of-civil-rights.html) [emphasis mine]: > [@Little Donnie Fail-Fail](#): > > Since the founding of our nation, many of our greatest strides, from gaining our independence **to abolition of civil rights** , to extending the vote for women, have been led by people of faith… ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/30388 "2019-02-07T18:06:09Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > [Trump Accidentally Praises the ‘Abolition of Civil Rights’](http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/02/trump-accidentally-praises-the-abolition-of-civil-rights.html) [emphasis mine]: Accidentally? No he just skipped a few chapters in his playbook. That’s not supposed to happen until year 3. ---
**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:** [February 7, 2019, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/30389 "2019-02-07T19:05:00Z")
Matt Whitaker says he won’t testify before Congress unless they guarantee they won’t subpoena him. [Matt Whitaker, acting attorney general, to testify at House hearing Friday - CNNPolitics](https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/02/07/politics/matthew-whitaker-subpoena-house-judiciary-committee/index.html)? ---
**Author:** ![SingleMalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/singlemalt/32/3961_2.png) [@SingleMalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SingleMalt)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/30390 "2019-02-07T19:23:18Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Matt Whitaker says he won’t testify before Congress unless they guarantee they won’t subpoena him. > [Matt Whitaker, acting attorney general, to testify at House hearing Friday - CNNPolitics](https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/02/07/politics/matthew-whitaker-subpoena-house-judiciary-committee/index.html)? It’s my hope that Chairman Nadler just goes ahead and issues the [subpoena](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/house-judiciary-committee-grants-nadler-authority-to-subpoena-whitaker) to Whitaker with a sticky note saying, “_Now_ what are you going to do?” ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/30391 "2019-02-07T19:39:34Z")
> [@SingleMalt](#): > > It’s my hope that Chairman Nadler just goes ahead and issues the [subpoena](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/muckraker/house-judiciary-committee-grants-nadler-authority-to-subpoena-whitaker) to Whitaker with a sticky note saying, “_Now_ what are you going to do?” Can the acting AG just say “no” ? (serious question) ---
**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:** [February 7, 2019, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/30392 "2019-02-07T20:54:26Z")
California National Guard says it will ignore Individual 1’s order to discharge trans soldiers. > **[Defying Trump, Calif. National Guard Won't Discharge Trans Troops](https://www.advocate.com/politics/2019/2/07/defying-trump-calif-national-guard-wont-discharge-trans-troops)** > > During a meeting with state lawmakers on Tuesday, one of the highest-ranking National Guard officers said they won't abide by Trump's ban. ---
**Author:** ![SingleMalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/singlemalt/32/3961_2.png) [@SingleMalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SingleMalt)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/30393 "2019-02-07T21:02:39Z")
> [@simster](#): > > Can the acting AG just say “no” ? (serious question) And a good question it is, as the stuff I’ve read has been pretty vague on that point. If Whitaker refuses the subpoena, he can be charged with Contempt of Congress, but I’m uncertain what the practical consequences of that are. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/30394 "2019-02-07T21:20:41Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > California National Guard says it will ignore Individual 1’s order to discharge trans soldiers. > [Defying Trump, Calif. National Guard Won't Discharge Trans Troops](https://www.advocate.com/politics/2019/2/07/defying-trump-calif-national-guard-wont-discharge-trans-troops) New Mexico pulls its National Guard troops from the border , orders others to return home > [@](#): > > [https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/06/politics/new-mexico-governor-national-guard-southern-border/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/06/politics/new-mexico-governor-national-guard-southern-border/index.html) > > New Mexico governor withdraws state’s National Guard troops from southern border > > “I’m not going to participate, nor do I think it’s appropriate in any shape or fashion to use the National Guard to attempt to militarize the border where we’re dealing with asylum seekers who their constitutional rights continue to be breached,” the newly elected Democratic governor said Wednesday during a news conference in her state. > She also argued that after meeting with National Guard and Border Patrol, “they could not make an effective case that having the National Guard presence there has assisted them in any meaningful way at dealing with any nefarious activity along the border.” ---
**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:** [February 7, 2019, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/30395 "2019-02-07T21:21:36Z")
> [@simster](#): > > Can the acting AG just say “no” ? (serious question) [https://www.lawfareblog.com/congressional-subpoena-power-and-executive-privilege-coming-showdown-between-branches](https://www.lawfareblog.com/congressional-subpoena-power-and-executive-privilege-coming-showdown-between-branches) I assume that Congress could issue a command to these guys if the DOJ refused to execute the subpoena: > **[United States Capitol Police](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Capitol_Police)** > > The United States Capitol Police (USCP) is a federal law enforcement agency in the United States with nationwide jurisdiction charged with protecting the United States Congress within the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its territories. It answers to the Capitol Police Board and is the only full-service federal law enforcement agency appointed by the legislative branch of the federal government of the United States. > The United States Capitol Police has the primary respo... I don’t know that to be the case though. It might just go to the courts. Of course, then, if the DOJ refuses to act on the court’s orders, then it again could come back to the US Capitol Police or (more likely) the House would issue impeachment proceedings or something against Whitaker. ---
**Author:** ![Celidin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Celidin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celidin)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/30396 "2019-02-07T21:33:17Z")
> [@simster](#): > > Can the acting AG just say “no” ? (serious question) This is where we’re getting into the realm of “how much is this administration going to destroy the rule of law?” Because even if the House impeaches, we all know damn well that isn’t going anywhere in the Senate. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/30397 "2019-02-07T21:47:55Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > El Paso’s Sheriff says that Individual 1’s claim that El Paso used to be a dangerous place is not true. > [El Paso sheriff slams Trump’s ‘false narrative’ and distortions on crime in his city - Alternet.org](https://www.alternet.org/2019/02/el-paso-sheriff-slams-trumps-false-narrative-and-distortions-on-crime-in-his-city/)? And the governor of New Mexio pulled National Guard personnel away from the border, saying her state will not take part in, as she called it, Donald Trump’s “charade of border fearmongering by misusing our diligent National Guard troops.” ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/30398 "2019-02-07T21:49:22Z")
In other news, Whitaker missed the deadline to file any “executive privilege”, and is cruising to face subpoenas and possible contempt. ---
**Author:** ![Apollyon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apollyon/32/4238_2.png) [@Apollyon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apollyon)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/30399 "2019-02-07T22:29:02Z")
> [@Celidin](#): > > Because even if the House impeaches, we all know damn well that isn’t going anywhere in the Senate. Do they need to impeach? From my very quick ‘n’ dirty non-lawyerly reading can’t the House despatch the Sergeant-at-Arms to bring the gentleman to the House floor, find him guilty of contempt (without referring to another body) and sling him in the pokey for coercive punishment? I.e. until he agrees to testify. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/30400 "2019-02-07T22:35:09Z")
How the hell are they supposed to run a conspiracy if the Democrats keep up with this “unfair” oversight? ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2019, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/30401 "2019-02-07T23:03:26Z")
> [@Apollyon](#): > > Do they need to impeach? From my very quick ‘n’ dirty non-lawyerly reading can’t the House despatch the Sergeant-at-Arms to bring the gentleman to the House floor, find him guilty of contempt (without referring to another body) and sling him in the pokey for coercive punishment? I.e. until he agrees to testify. They can simply charge him with contempt. Immediately when he refuses to appear or answer questions. He had ample notification, they gave him an advance copy of the questions, they gave him enough time to file any claims of “executive privilege”. He at this point has no excuse. Nadler: _“For the first two years of the Trump Administration, Congress allowed government witnesses to dodge uncomfortable questions. That era is over. In an abundance of caution—to ensure that Mr. Whitaker both appears in the hearing room on Friday morning and answers our questions cleanly—I have asked the Committee to authorize me to issue a subpoena to compel his testimony. To be clear, I hope never to use this subpoena. Weeks ago, we gave Mr. Whitaker a list of questions we hope to ask him about his communications with the White House and his refusal to recuse himself from oversight of the Special Counsel’s investigation. If he appears on time and ready to answer those questions, the subpoena will be entirely unnecessary. I intend to be fully transparent about this process. I shared my plans with Ranking Member Collins last week and, when he expressed reservations, we scheduled this authorizing resolution for a markup. There need not be surprises here. We have been quite public about our intention to obtain this information from Mr. Whitaker.”_ And again, Nadler: _“You have now had more than two weeks to engage in any necessary consultations with the White House Counsel and the President. Because you have not provided any notification to the Committee regarding executive privilege—or, indeed, any communication in response to the January 22 letter—my understanding is that you will provide full and complete answers to these questions when they are asked at your hearing this Friday.”_ Looks like play time is finally over. ---
**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:** [February 7, 2019, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/30402 "2019-02-07T23:36:15Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Accidentally? No he just skipped a few chapters in his playbook. That’s not supposed to happen until year 3. That started eighteen days ago. Try to keep up. ---
**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:** [February 8, 2019, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/30403 "2019-02-08T00:11:48Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > [https://www.lawfareblog.com/congressional-subpoena-power-and-executive-privilege-coming-showdown-between-branches](https://www.lawfareblog.com/congressional-subpoena-power-and-executive-privilege-coming-showdown-between-branches) > > I assume that Congress could issue a command to these guys if the DOJ refused to execute the subpoena: > > [United States Capitol Police - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Capitol_Police) > > I don’t know that to be the case though. It might just go to the courts. Of course, then, if the DOJ refuses to act on the court’s orders, then it again could come back to the US Capitol Police or (more likely) the House would issue impeachment proceedings or something against Whitaker. What a clusterfuck _that_ would be; I’m imagining a _Public Enemy_-type standoff, with the Capitol Police shouting through a megaphone _“We’ve got you surrounded!”_ and Whittaker screaming _“You’ll never take me alive, coppers!”_ 😃 ---
**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:** [February 8, 2019, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/30404 "2019-02-08T00:37:53Z")
I’d pay a dollar to watch a live stream of that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1519) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1521)