# 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:** 1891
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37805 "2019-10-16T20:21:47Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > I’m at work and can’t click the link. But, um, we knew those were there. Don’t tell me we abandoned that base and left those behind. I mean, no, right? I just saw a report on German TV how the Syrian government troops were delighted to find the abandoned US bases so well functioning and equipped after taking them. They proudly showed the working facilities and stuffed fridges. They called it a gift. Nuclear arms are just a bonus. ---
**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:** [October 16, 2019, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37806 "2019-10-16T20:23:35Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > I just saw a report on German TV how the Syrian government troops were delighted to find the US bases so well functioning and equipped after taking them. They proudly showed the working facilities and stuffed fridges. Nuclear arms are just a bonus. Do you have a link? ---
**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:** [October 16, 2019, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37807 "2019-10-16T20:25:01Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > I’m at work and can’t click the link. But, um, we knew those were there. Don’t tell me we abandoned that base and left those behind. I mean, no, right? From the linked article: > [@](#): > > However, the rapid pace of withdrawal and the tumultuous decline of relations between the two countries has left administration officials scrambling to find a plan for the nuclear weapons stored under American control at the shared Incirlik Air Base in south east Turkey, reports said. > > \ > > Following the withdrawal, the chair of the US Senate’s armed services committee Jack Reed said: “This president keeps blindsiding our military and diplomatic leaders and partners with impulsive moves like this that benefit Russia and authoritarian regimes. > > “If this president were serious about ending wars and winning peace, he’d actually articulate a strategy that would protect against a re-emergence of Isis and provide for the safety of our Syrian partners. > > “But he has repeatedly failed to do that. Instead, this is another example of Donald Trump creating chaos, undermining US interests, and benefiting Russia and the Assad regime.” So, in answer to your question, it looks like yes, we knew the bombs were there, but no, we had no idea what we were going to do with them in this event. The Air Base is ‘shared’, so assumedly we still have aircraft and personnel there. ETA: Senator Reed is the ranking member of the Democratic Party on this committee. James Inhofe of Oklahoma is the chairman. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37808 "2019-10-16T20:25:18Z")
Trump probably had sex with one of Epstein’s 13-year-old popsies in 1994. Extra jolly info: Ivanka was 13 in 1994. > **[National Enquirer tried to protect Trump from allegation of forcibly raping...](https://www.rawstory.com/2019/10/national-enquirer-tried-to-protect-trump-from-allegation-of-forcibly-raping-13-year-old-girl-report/)** > > Two of the scandals swirling around President Donald appear to have collided in a blockbuster new book by investigative reporter Ronan Farrow.Trump's relationship with American Media Incorporated (AMI), which owned the National Enquirer supermarket... Golly, this has been quite a news day. ---
**Author:** ![mjmlabs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mjmlabs/32/69_2.png) [@mjmlabs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjmlabs)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37809 "2019-10-16T20:25:22Z")
Ninja’d, but _stet_, 'cuz different quotes… > [@bobot](#): > > I’m at work and can’t click the link. But, um, we knew those were there. Don’t tell me we abandoned that base and left those behind. I mean, no, right? Right; no. To paraphrase the link you can’t read at work, the tactical nukes are at an airbase under joint command of the US and Turkey … but now that things are sliding sideways between those two NATO members, the US has to choose between a) somehow retrieving those nukes, which would send things sliding sideways even faster, since they’re there for joint NATO defense (at least ostensibly), or b) hoping that things never slide sideways far enough that Erdogan will just grab them. From that article: > [@](#): > > … [T]he rapid pace of withdrawal and the tumultuous decline of relations between the two countries has left administration officials scrambling to find a plan for the nuclear weapons stored under American control at the shared Incirlik Air Base in south east Turkey, reports said. > > Officials from the State Department and Energy Department, which manages Washington’s nuclear arsenal, met at the weekend to consider how they might retrieve an estimated fifty tactical nuclear weapons held at the site, according to _The New York Times_. > > One official told the paper the bombs were now effectively Mr Erdogan’s hostages. It is feared that removing the weapons could signal the end of relations between the Nato allies, while leaving them in place could put the weapons of mass destruction at risk. > > The conundrum comes just a month after Mr Erdogan said it was “unacceptable” that Turkey was not allowed its own supply of the weapons under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty the country signed in 1980. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37810 "2019-10-16T20:30:35Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > [Turkey ‘effectively holding 50 US nuclear bombs hostage’ at air base amid Syria invasion](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/turkey-syria-us-nuclear-weapons-bombs-trump-war-isis-kurds-a9158416.html?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR0s9N5_GEHrVnP61WWfou7aI1N2QkGKpxuQbdGVx4KrgAFRNAOCVmLFTdY#Echobox=1571233715) > > Gee, who would have thought that there might be unintended consequences of the latest dumbass move from Chief Dumbass? Fear not. I’m sure Chief Dumbass has already dispatched Jack Ryan and the A-Team to recover the nuclear weapons. Seriously… how the fuck do you leave behind nuclear weapons? ---
**Author:** ![mjmlabs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mjmlabs/32/69_2.png) [@mjmlabs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mjmlabs)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37811 "2019-10-16T20:32:57Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > Trump probably had sex with one of Epstein’s 13-year-old popsies in 1994. Extra jolly info: Ivanka was 13 in 1994. > > [National Enquirer tried to protect Trump from allegation of forcibly raping 13-year-old girl: report - Raw Story](https://www.rawstory.com/2019/10/national-enquirer-tried-to-protect-trump-from-allegation-of-forcibly-raping-13-year-old-girl-report/) > > Golly, this has been quite a news day. I wonder what Michael Cohen might have to add to this conversation. And I hope he’s on suicide watch. With guards who aren’t working 18-hour days and napping here and there. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37812 "2019-10-16T20:35:52Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > On the plus side, the PAL system should prevent anyone from using them without authorization. > > On the downside, all it takes is a call to Trump, and he’ll gladly give up the codes in exchange for an attaboy. Using them as-is, sure. Popping the hood and taking the fissile matter ? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37813 "2019-10-16T20:36:33Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > I’m at work and can’t click the link. But, um, we knew those were there. Don’t tell me we abandoned that base and left those behind. I mean, no, right? Well sure. I mean [Pompeo recently confirmed](https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/16/politics/mike-pompeo-donald-trump-decisions/index.html) that Trump makes decisions, and then looks at the facts and data afterward. So I have no doubt that we abandoned the base and left Turkey with 50 nuclear missiles. Why should Trump give a shit about that? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37814 "2019-10-16T20:38:07Z")
[The best time to get atomic weapons out was several years ago. The second best time is now.](https://newrepublic.com/article/155381/us-nuclear-bombs-still-turkey) ---
**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:** [October 16, 2019, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37815 "2019-10-16T20:40:03Z")
The parents of the kid who was killed by the US diplomat’s wife in a car accident in the UK are in the US to try to drum up support for having her sent back to the UK for trial. The White House asked them if they would like to come to the White House to talk to Individual 1. They were greeted with a press and photographer gaggle. While there, Individual 1 blindsided them by telling them that the woman was in the next room and would they like to meet her with reporters and photographers all watching the meeting. Dunn family spokesman Radd Seiger said that the family felt “ambushed” when the “bombshell” was dropped that Sacoolas was next door. They had envisioned meeting her one day, but as Seiger told The Daily Beast, “only on British soil” and “only with mediators, counselors, and their legal team in tow.” > **[Grieving Parents ‘Ambushed’ by Trump, Who Had Teen’s Killer Waiting at White...](https://www.thedailybeast.com/anne-sacoolas-grieving-parents-ambushed-by-trump-who-was-hiding-spy-wife-at-the-white-house)** > > The president had hoped to surprise the family of dead British teen Harry Dunn with a meeting with the woman who killed him. “And they weren’t ready for it,” he admitted. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37816 "2019-10-16T20:41:20Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Do you have a link? Sorry, only a [German link](https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/syrien-tuerkei-manbidsch-105.html), but it’s from the Tagesschau, the oldest and most respected TV news outlet you can imagine in Germany. From the report: > [@](#): > > Als die amerikanischen Soldaten Manbidsch verließen, waren sie offenbar in Eile. Ihren Stützpunkt bauten sie nicht komplett ab. Zelte, Feldbetten, Telekommunikationsmasten, Bulldozer, Fitnessgeräte und vieles andere ließen sie zurück, wie ein Internetvideo eines russischen Reporters zeigt, der einen Rundgang durch die Basis machte. In der Kantine stehen Tische und Bänke, halb abgegessene Teller, eine Mikrowelle - und Kühlschränke, die noch gut mit Getränken gefüllt sind. Der Abzug der Amerikaner aus Manbidsch ist der neueste Triumph für Moskau in Syrien - errungen, ohne dass ein einziger Schuss fiel. > > [my translation] > > When the American soldiers left Manbidsch, they obviously were in a hurry. The didn’t dissamble their base completely. They left behind tents, camp beds, radio poles, bulldozers, work out devices and much more, as an internet video of a Russian reporter shows, who made a tour through the base. In the canteen, there are still tables and benches, half eaten plates, a microwave - and fridges that are well equipped with drinks. The retreat from Manbidsch is the newest triumph for Moscow in Syria - achieved without a single shot fired. Yes, and I can’t let go the pun that Putin made Trump his manbitch in Manbidsch… ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37817 "2019-10-16T20:46:28Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > Using them as-is, sure. Popping the hood and taking the fissile matter ? Not impossible, but building a nuke is a complicated process, and getting the fissile material is just one step. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37818 "2019-10-16T20:51:58Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Not impossible, but building a nuke is a complicated process, and getting the fissile material is just one step. As was said earlier, they can just get the codes - and hell, the instruction manual - directly from Trump. I mean, what could be done to stop him? Fox News would declare it a triumph of Trump’s smartiltude. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37819 "2019-10-16T20:59:35Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Not impossible, but building a nuke is a complicated process, and getting the fissile material is just one step. I wonder if there are any actors in the immediate vicinity who would be interested in getting their hands on some dirty bomb materials? Oh, just some Syrian Army, ISIS and Hezbollah extremists that come immediately to mind. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Greenjeans](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.greenjeans/32/551_2.png) [@Mr.Greenjeans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Greenjeans)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37820 "2019-10-16T21:03:31Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > No, even then, though he won’t admit it, they know very well that they had better bring back a happy meal toy. > > No cite, as it was a bit ago, and I hate trying to google on this computer, but I remember a story about how he would order room service, but the employees knew what he “really” wanted. The President has been crystal clear: no quid pro quo’s of any kind. ---
**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:** [October 16, 2019, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37821 "2019-10-16T21:06:13Z")
Democrats say they left White House meeting on Syria after Trump ‘meltdown’ > **[Democrats say they left White House meeting on Syria after Trump 'meltdown'](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/16/house-opposes-trump-move-to-pull-forces-from-northern-syria.html)** > > Democratic congressional leaders say they walked out of a meeting with President Donald Trump after what House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called a "meltdown" by the president. ---
**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:** [October 16, 2019, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37822 "2019-10-16T21:07:01Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Sorry, only a [German link](https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/syrien-tuerkei-manbidsch-105.html), but it’s from the Tagesschau, the oldest and most respected TV news outlet you can imagine in Germany. I haven’t spoken German in decades. Fortunately, there’s [google translate](https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tagesschau.de%2Fausland%2Fsyrien-tuerkei-manbidsch-105.html). 😉 Danke schön. ---
**Author:** ![Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b487fb/32.png) [@Walken\_After\_Midnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walken_After_Midnight)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37823 "2019-10-16T21:08:29Z")
Trump [calls Gen. Mattis “the world’s most overated general.”](https://twitter.com/ESCochrane/status/1184575305899491329) ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2019, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/37824 "2019-10-16T21:11:12Z")
Looks like the Prez had a productive sit-down with Sen. Schumer and Speaker Pelosi this afternoon. > **[Chuck Schumer: Trump 'Was Insulting' To Nancy Pelosi In Turkey Discussions](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/chuck-schumer-trump-nancy-pelosi-turkey-discussions_n_5da77afbe4b0b5c9be4882a4)** > > The Senate minority leader said the president berated the House speaker when congressional leaders met with him to discuss his actions on Turkey. By god, the hits just keep comin’ today. (Looks like **Rick K** beat me to it. Well, it’s worth two looks) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1890) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=1892)