# 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:** 1688
**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:** [June 21, 2019, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33745 "2019-06-21T03:25:15Z")
Fuck me. _New York Times_ reporting that a military strike against Iran was ordered for this evening (US time, pre-dawn in Iran), then abruptly rescinded with planes in the air. Sorry, no link, hearing it on MSNBC right now. Trump dithering, White House hawks beating the drums for war, SecDef vacant…yeah, this is gonna go swimmingly. ---
**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:** [June 21, 2019, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33746 "2019-06-21T03:30:01Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > You people are being ruled by a four year old. We _wish_ ---
**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:** [June 21, 2019, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33747 "2019-06-21T03:57:51Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > Fuck me. > > _New York Times_ reporting that a military strike against Iran was ordered for this evening (US time, pre-dawn in Iran), then abruptly rescinded with planes in the air. Sorry, no link, hearing it on MSNBC right now. > > Trump dithering, White House hawks beating the drums for war, SecDef vacant…yeah, this is gonna go swimmingly. The Daily Beast has a short article about it: [Trump: We Were ‘Cocked & Loaded’ Before I Scuttled Iran Strike](https://www.thedailybeast.com/trump-authorized-strikes-on-iran-but-called-it-off-abruptly-when-planes-were-already-preparing-to-hit-nyt?ref=scroll). The NYT has a longer, paywalled article up too. This is the kind of steady leadership we need in these troubled times. ---
**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:** [June 21, 2019, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33748 "2019-06-21T05:00:16Z")
[AP posting as well](https://apnews.com/84ad15edb7324472bb867852059a0a7a). > [@](#): > > A U.S. official said the military made preparations Thursday night for limited strikes on Iran in retaliation for the downing of a U.S. surveillance drone, but approval was abruptly withdrawn before the attacks were launched. > > The official, who was not authorized to discuss the operation publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity, said the targets would have included radars and missile batteries. > > The New York Times reported that President Donald Trump had approved the strikes, but then called them off. The newspaper cited anonymous senior administration officials. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2019, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33749 "2019-06-21T05:38:47Z")
Who leaked this and why? ---
**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:** [June 21, 2019, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33750 "2019-06-21T06:19:05Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Who leaked this and why? Why? ---
**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:** [June 21, 2019, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33751 "2019-06-21T08:14:42Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Who leaked this and why? Plausibly, it was a quasi-official leak, to warn Iran. It might be a leak from Bolton (or another Hawk), angry that his attack was called off by Trump and wanting to make him look weak, so he wouldn’t want to back down again. It might be a leak from someone who suspects that Trump has compromising factors\* that limit his ability to go ahead with certain policies, and making him look like a wimp makes it harder for him to back down again in the future. Safest bet is that it was someone who was pissed off that the attack was called off. - His family is plausibly [linked to the IRGC financially](https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-iran-business-ties-trump-didnt-disclose), it seems likely that [Trump decided to pull out of Syria](https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2018/12/20/trump-gets-no-credit-republicans-question-syria-withdrawal-trump-tweets-after-midnight-defend-himself/?utm_term=.0cc60e6afcfe) after [Iran, Russia, and Turkey held a summit to discuss their joint strategy of splitting up the country](http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-russian-iranian-ministers-to-meet-in-geneva-to-announce-syrian-charter-team-139792), and his pronouncement that Jerusalem is indeed the capital of Israel completely destroyed what seemed to be a fairly clear plan for Israel and Saudi Arabia to team up, SA forcing Palestine to negotiate for peace, in return for Israel’s aid taking out Iran - a plan that seemed to be completely signed off by Jared Kushner, with him acting as the intermediary between both parties. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2019, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33752 "2019-06-21T12:00:33Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Who leaked this and why? The bigger question is; what was airing on Fox News when he changed his mind? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2019, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33753 "2019-06-21T12:42:39Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Why? To send a message to Iran, “Don’t mess with this guy, he’s crazy” ? ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2019, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33754 "2019-06-21T12:50:32Z")
I don’t think that’s what Tehran is hearing, though. ---
**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:** [June 21, 2019, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33755 "2019-06-21T12:58:29Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Who leaked this and why? Could be that lodestar person crying for help. Or some military guy pissed off that they didn’t get to go blow shit up and kill people. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2019, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33756 "2019-06-21T13:22:08Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Why? Curious as to whether it was an internal person who is concerned with what is going on and leaked it without permission or whether this is an internal person who was told to leak this in order to send some message to someone. It matters who leaked it to frame the story. And, this morning, our national burden[took credit](https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1142055392488374272) for calling off the strike because it would kill too many people. Why that information was not taken into account BEFORE ordering the strike is unclear. But, seems to follow the similar pattern of screwing something up, fixing the screw up and then begging for credit for solving the problem. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2019, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33757 "2019-06-21T14:45:04Z")
Assuming this particular problem really existed in the first place rather than being made up after the fact in an attempt to make him look better. ---
**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:** [June 21, 2019, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33758 "2019-06-21T14:59:03Z")
Perhaps Iran will reflect on what almost happened when they consider shooting something else down. It could be a brilliant plan, or it could be a regular Presidential Screw Up. ---
**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:** [June 21, 2019, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33759 "2019-06-21T15:09:28Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The bigger question is; what was airing on Fox News when he changed his mind? Something Donald missed because he was taking an irate call from Moscow. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2019, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33760 "2019-06-21T15:09:33Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Perhaps Iran will reflect on what almost happened when they consider shooting something else down. > > It could be a brilliant plan, or it could be a regular Presidential Screw Up. I was thinking along the same lines – Trump may have stumbled into the perfect response: the fake-out. Hah! Made ya flinch! Assuming that the explanation is true (and Trump gets no benefit of the doubt where truth is involved) there are 2 reasons, both bad: (1) Either no one asked about civilian casualties until the planes were ready to launch; or (2) Civilian casualties were discussed; Trump gave the green light; Trump changed his mind. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2019, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33761 "2019-06-21T15:15:31Z")
**Sarah Huckabee Sanders being given a Farewell Party by some reporters** > **[Some White House Reporters Are Throwing Sarah Huckabee Sanders A Goodbye Party](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sarah-huckabee-sanders-goodbye-drinks_n_5d0bd38ee4b09f5a54b847ba)** > > White House correspondents and some Trump staffers plan to send Sanders off with “farewell drinks” next week. It reminds me of the old line – “If we give you a Farewell party, would you go away?” ---
**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:** [June 21, 2019, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33762 "2019-06-21T15:40:42Z")
Now I’m even more confused than I was earlier today: From [The Hill](https://thehill.com/policy/defense/449667-report-iranian-officials-say-trump-warned-them-attack-was-imminent?__twitter_impression=true): \*Iranian officials said Friday that they were warned by President Trump to expect an imminent attack shortly before the U.S. ordered forces preparing a tactical strike on the country to stand down. Officials speaking under the promise of anonymity told Reuters on Friday that the Trump administration informed them of the attack a “short period” before they were set to occur, only to watch as U.S. forces were called off moments later. “In his message, Trump said he was against any war with Iran and wanted to talk to Tehran about various issues,” one Iranian official told Reuters.\* ---
**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:** [June 21, 2019, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33763 "2019-06-21T15:45:34Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > **Sarah Huckabee Sanders being given a Farewell Party by some reporters** > > [Some White House Reporters Are Throwing Sarah Huckabee Sanders A Goodbye Party | HuffPost Latest News](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sarah-huckabee-sanders-goodbye-drinks_n_5d0bd38ee4b09f5a54b847ba) > > It reminds me of the old line – “If we give you a Farewell party, would you go away?” SHS: “Who took a shit in the punch bowl?” Reporter: “I did! Before the party started.” Reporter 2: “Hey Sarah, want me to get you another cup of - oh, guess not.” ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2019, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/33764 "2019-06-21T15:48:55Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Now I’m even more confused than I was earlier today: > > From [The Hill](https://thehill.com/policy/defense/449667-report-iranian-officials-say-trump-warned-them-attack-was-imminent?__twitter_impression=true): > > \*Iranian officials said Friday that they were warned by President Trump to expect an imminent attack shortly before the U.S. ordered forces preparing a tactical strike on the country to stand down. > > Officials speaking under the promise of anonymity told Reuters on Friday that the Trump administration informed them of the attack a “short period” before they were set to occur, only to watch as U.S. forces were called off moments later. > > “In his message, Trump said he was against any war with Iran and wanted to talk to Tehran about various issues,” one Iranian official told Reuters.\* Immediately following that article: [Time magazine: Trump threatened reporter with prison time](https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/449688-time-reporter-confronts-trump-were-you-threatening-me-with?__twitter_impression=true). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1687) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1689)