# 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:** 2021
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2020, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/40405 "2020-02-07T22:59:16Z")
Trump will just rip into Romney a lot in public. There isn’t much else to do, and he loves to do that. ---
**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, 2020, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/40406 "2020-02-07T23:17:47Z")
Collins and Murkowski should consider switching parties. If Schumer isn’t talking to them, after the Vindman firing, he’s letting an opportunity slip. ---
**Author:** ![Fair\_Rarity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fair_rarity/32/153_2.png) [@Fair\_Rarity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fair_Rarity)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2020, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/40407 "2020-02-07T23:26:28Z")
This has been one of the roughest week in a while. I didn’t harbor any expectations about him being convicted and removed, but it was still disappointing in this sham of a “trial.” The SOTU was predictably a hot fucking mess. And his behavior SINCE the vote is terrifying. It feels like he knows he’s untouchable and he’s going to just do whatever now. It’s terrifying that he might have been restrained before and now he’s not. I don’t know why I’m extra bummed this week but I am. And then I feel bad that I am getting exhausted by it all because that’s the point of it. Get exhausted and give up. All hail Don Jr 2024. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2020, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/40408 "2020-02-07T23:41:52Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Collins and Murkowski should consider switching parties. > > If Schumer isn’t talking to them, after the Vindman firing, he’s letting an opportunity slip. They proved what kind of people they were for the impeachment vote, if it wasn’t already clear as day. Schumer could try talking to them, but what would be the point? They’re either spineless worms for Trump or utterly without morals or decency. ---
**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:** [February 7, 2020, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/40409 "2020-02-07T23:47:35Z")
Looks like Sondland is out too. [https://twitter.com/Kevinliptakcnn/status/1225927262949822469](https://twitter.com/Kevinliptakcnn/status/1225927262949822469) Bolton needs to hire a food taster. ---
**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, 2020, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/40410 "2020-02-07T23:57:33Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > They proved what kind of people they were for the impeachment vote, if it wasn’t already clear as day. Schumer could try talking to them, but what would be the point? They’re either spineless worms for Trump or utterly without morals or decency. Yeah but, they could be spineless worms for Trump or for Schumer. Neither of those is great but one of them is better. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2020, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/40411 "2020-02-08T00:03:26Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Yeah but, they could be spineless worms for Trump or for Schumer. Neither of those is great but one of them is better. And maybe Trump will sincerely apologize for his wrongdoing and resign. Sounds about equally likely. It’s nuts to pin any hopes on such things. The only chance is to vote the scumbags out. They’re not going to change. ---
**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:** [February 8, 2020, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/40412 "2020-02-08T00:11:10Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > Looks like Sondland is out too. [https://twitter.com/Kevinliptakcnn/status/1225927262949822469](https://twitter.com/Kevinliptakcnn/status/1225927262949822469) > > Bolton needs to hire a food taster. Nothing like a good old-fashioned purge to let you know you live in a banana republic. ---
**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, 2020, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/40413 "2020-02-08T00:17:26Z")
Has anyone asked Susan Collins what she thinks of all this? :rolleyes: ---
**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, 2020, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/40414 "2020-02-08T00:23:42Z")
[pedant] > [@jsc1953](#): > > And: standing behind the podium with the presidential seal, he called it all “bullshit”. This is where we are now: the POTUS needs to be put on a 5 second delay. Lectern, not podium. [/pedant] ---
**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 8, 2020, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/40415 "2020-02-08T01:08:17Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > Looks like Sondland is out too. [https://twitter.com/Kevinliptakcnn/status/1225927262949822469](https://twitter.com/Kevinliptakcnn/status/1225927262949822469) Isn’t that illegal? I seem to recall something about a ‘whistleblower law’ that protects people from retaliation. Perhaps I’m mistaken. ---
**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:** [February 8, 2020, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/40416 "2020-02-08T01:11:26Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Isn’t that illegal? I seem to recall something about a ‘whistleblower law’ that protects people from retaliation. Perhaps I’m mistaken. Apparently when the President does it, that means it’s not illegal ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2020, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/40417 "2020-02-08T01:42:00Z")
I think the difference is that ambassadorial posts are political appointments and not subject to things like whistleblower laws. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2020, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/40418 "2020-02-08T01:53:04Z")
Also, the whistleblower law only applies to people who follow the whistleblower protocol. It doesn’t protect just anybody testifying about government misconduct. ---
**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 8, 2020, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/40419 "2020-02-08T02:17:14Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > Apparently when the President does it, that means it’s not illegal Let me fix that for you. Apparently when the **The Messiah** does it, that means it’s not illegal. ---
**Author:** ![jshore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5e925/32.png) [@jshore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jshore)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2020, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/40420 "2020-02-08T02:32:47Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Has anyone asked Susan Collins what she thinks of all this? :rolleyes: [“I’m obviously not in favor of any kind of retribution against anyone who came forward with evidence.”](https://www.politico.com/news/2020/02/07/donald-trump-pressure-impeachment-witness-alexander-vindman-111997) I sent her a tweet: "Wow…I am sure you have Trump quaking in his boots over the fear that you might not be in favor of something. #YouAreComplicit " (Not that it will do any good…but it made me feel better!) ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2020, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/40421 "2020-02-08T02:38:34Z")
> [@Fair\_Rarity](#): > > This has been one of the roughest week in a while. I didn’t harbor any expectations about him being convicted and removed, but it was still disappointing in this sham of a “trial.” The SOTU was predictably a hot fucking mess. And his behavior SINCE the vote is terrifying. It feels like he knows he’s untouchable and he’s going to just do whatever now. It’s terrifying that he might have been restrained before and now he’s not. > > I don’t know why I’m extra bummed this week but I am. And then I feel bad that I am getting exhausted by it all because that’s the point of it. Get exhausted and give up. All hail Don Jr 2024. I think Trumps handlers will do everything they can to make him lay low until the election. And if gets another 4 years, well then we will be truly fucked. ---
**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:** [February 8, 2020, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/40422 "2020-02-08T02:51:43Z")
> [@KarlGauss](#): > > Going after the family now? Sounds like Trump is taking a cue from Kim [kin’s punishment](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/asia/north-korea/galleries/what-you-didn-t-know-about-north-korea/there-s-a-three-generations-of-punishment-rule/). Well, this is the guy that’s on record as saying that the families of terrorists should be targeted and killed as well, so not totally surprising. Maddow tonight led off her show with written assurances made in November and December by both the acting SecDef, and one of his undersecretaries, that retaliation against Vindman would not be tolerated. Not a peep so far by either of them, so far as I can tell. Promises worth the paper they’re printed on, you bet. ---
**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 8, 2020, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/40423 "2020-02-08T03:16:15Z")
> [@Defensive\_Indifference](#): > > Looks like Sondland is out too. [https://twitter.com/Kevinliptakcnn/status/1225927262949822469](https://twitter.com/Kevinliptakcnn/status/1225927262949822469) > > Bolton needs to hire a food taster. I hope Sondland asked for his $1 million donation back. ---
**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:** [February 8, 2020, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/40424 "2020-02-08T03:34:51Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Has anyone asked Susan Collins what she thinks of all this? :rolleyes: “Well I think it’s quite clear that Trump has learned his lesson, like I said. He’s making doubly sure people won’t squawk the next time he commits a crime. See ? There’s hope for him !” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=2020) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=2022)