# 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:** 2200
**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 1, 2020, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/43987 "2020-06-01T19:22:28Z")
While BunkerBoy was being hustled down into the bunker and the lights in the White House were turned off, where were Melania and Barron? Could it be, hm, that they don’t actually live at the White House? ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/43988 "2020-06-01T19:22:37Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > Do you suppose that maybe – just maybe – he’ll think, “This shit got real,” and realize his words have consequences? > > And while you’re at it, do you suppose monkeys will fly out of my butt? So Trump got his wish. He’s now a wartime president. Civil War is war, right? Mind you, he’s the one causing the civil war, but I guess when you’re that incompetent, you have to take what you can get. ---
**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:** [June 1, 2020, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/43989 "2020-06-01T19:26:18Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > While BunkerBoy was being hustled down into the bunker and the lights in the White House were turned off, where were Melania and Barron? Could it be, hm, that they don’t actually live at the White House? The statement said that they were brought down to the bunker as well. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/43990 "2020-06-01T19:30:53Z")
> [@Skypist](#): > > … he told governors on a conference call that they’re all a bunch of pansies and they’d better get tuff and start arresting people … How do you arrest people with that? And where do you find it, besides Mono Lake? ---
**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 1, 2020, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/43991 "2020-06-01T19:36:23Z")
During these crises, BunkerBoy has decided that the most important thing to complain about is flag burning, and he knows that the SCOTUS has ruled it free speech, but he wants it brought before his right wing court again. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/43992 "2020-06-01T19:47:02Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > Tom Cotton is suggesting that strikes on American cities from the U.S. Air Force are needed to end the protests. Yeah, that’s not fascist _at all_. No need for the Air Force, I’m sure some nice private citizens could do it. They could call it [historical reenactment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulsa_race_massacre#Attack_by_air)… ---
**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 1, 2020, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/43993 "2020-06-01T19:50:15Z")
> [@Skypist](#): > > He can apparently do it anyway under the Insurrection Act if he wants to despite posse comitatus. > > Apparently he told governors on a conference call that they’re all a bunch of pansies and they’d better get tuff and start arresting people and the states are on their own. > > He wants the power to control everything but not actually have to do anything haaaa-aard. As the old saying goes, to a busted hammer everything looks like a bent nail. ---
**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:** [June 1, 2020, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/43994 "2020-06-01T21:00:41Z")
[ **America Has No President** _As the nation convulsed, the White House went dark._](https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/06/america-has-no-president/612478/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+TheAtlantic+%2528The+Atlantic+-+Master+Feed%2529) > [@](#): > > \*\*Last night, as protests convulsed Washington, D.C., the White House went dark. All the lights were off. The windows of the president’s official residence were darkened, and the floodlights outside extinguished. > \*\* > The country is sick, angry, and divided, but it also finds itself leaderless. Trump has never shown any inclination or ability to soothe or console in moments of crisis. He wants the trappings of power, like showing up for a rocket launch, but he doesn’t want to get his hands dirty with the work of governing. And he continues to view himself as the president only of the minority who voted for him, not all Americans. These tendencies have converged in this moment. > > Yesterday, when America needed real leadership, the office of the president stood dark—and vacant. > > It is not that Trump has been silent. Far from it: His Twitter feed has been a supercharged version of its normal self. Trump has attacked Joe Biden, slurred reporters, insulted leaders on the front lines of protests, and claimed federal authority he doesn’t have. This is the sort of behavior we’d call unhinged from any other president, but the word has lost any power through its endless, justified invocation throughout his tenure. In any case, the tweeting suggests a president flailing around for a message that sticks and for a sense of control. > > What has been missing is any sort of behavior traditionally associated with the presidency. > … My bold. And there are still people planning to vote him in for a second term. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/43995 "2020-06-01T21:01:54Z")
> [@carlb](#): > > [Here is a good summary](Here is a good summary) of when the military can be deployed domestically. The author, Steve Vladeck, is a professor at UT Austin and does a lot of work in national security law. Linky no worky, because the URL is just the same as the text. Try again? As a side note, lawyer friend of mine says that state and local officials can request help from federal agencies and deputize federal enforcement personnel. I don’t know if the federal agencies or the military can just be sent in by the president, though. Trying to find that out. ---
**Author:** ![carlb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carlb/32/5930_2.png) [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/43996 "2020-06-01T21:14:30Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > Linky no worky, because the URL is just the same as the text. Try again? > > As a side note, lawyer friend of mine says that state and local officials can request help from federal agencies and deputize federal enforcement personnel. I don’t know if the federal agencies or the military can just be sent in by the president, though. Trying to find that out. Damnit. Sorry about that. Let’s try this again. [https://twitter.com/steve\_vladeck/status/1266752508577435649](https://twitter.com/steve_vladeck/status/1266752508577435649) ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/43997 "2020-06-01T21:14:57Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > Linky no worky, because the URL is just the same as the text. Try again? > > As a side note, lawyer friend of mine says that state and local officials can request help from federal agencies and deputize federal enforcement personnel. I don’t know if the federal agencies or the military can just be sent in by the president, though. Trying to find that out. So, assuming I understood him correctly, lawyer friend says that state and local officials can request assistance from federal agencies such as the CBP, but that _active duty military **cannot** be used domestically_. The state and local agencies also can deputize the federal personnel to act as reinforcements. The president has no authority to unilaterally send in federal personnel, and federal assistance is generally restricted to things like support roles unless the problem lies within their area of jurisdiction. For example, the FBI always comes in on kidnapping cases. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/43998 "2020-06-01T21:36:03Z")
**‘Let Them Have Eric,’ Screams Trump While Pushing Son Through Door Of Bunker** “…“Please, you can take Eric, just leave me alone,” said the commander in chief, shoving his third-born son through the bulletproof, double-reinforced door of the White House panic room, repeatedly smashing Eric Trump’s fingers with a large wrench to loosen their grip on the frame…” > **[‘Let Them Have Eric,’ Screams Trump While Pushing Son Through Door Of Bunker](https://www.theonion.com/let-them-have-eric-screams-trump-while-pushing-son-t-1843831345)** > > WASHINGTON—In an effort to placate the protesters gathered outside, President Donald Trump reportedly screamed, “Let them have Eric!” Monday as he pushed his son through the door of a White House bunker. “Please, you can take Eric, just leave me... A spot of humor in these dark times. ---
**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:** [June 1, 2020, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/43999 "2020-06-01T21:39:26Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > The president has no authority to unilaterally send in federal personnel, and federal assistance is generally restricted to things like support roles unless the problem lies within their area of jurisdiction. For example, the FBI always comes in on kidnapping cases. This current president has the full and complete backing of the Justice Department, the Senate and the Supreme Court. The concept of “laws” or “constitution” is not applicable to this president or his supporters. Trump could easily send in federal agents to shoot down protesters, or the media. At this point, Trump could order the Air Force to bomb major American cities, and this is what would happen. If anyone refused his orders, they would be arrested, and he’d go down the chain until someone (supporter) obeyed. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44000 "2020-06-01T21:52:03Z")
This could be a chance for Trump to test his “shoot someone on 5th Ave.” hypothesis. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44001 "2020-06-01T22:29:42Z")
Rose garden address about to begin. Barr overlooking the assemblage like a bloated poisonous toad. ---
**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:** [June 1, 2020, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44002 "2020-06-01T22:43:50Z")
He’s either going to: 1. Read a stilted speech from a teleprompter, like a wooden puppet. Speech will cover generic points and Trump will make it clear that he is completely disinterested in anything he is reading. 2. Announce he is ordering the army and air force (and maybe the Space Force!) to move in and take over control from “Those loser governors” ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44003 "2020-06-01T22:45:06Z")
Mounted officers already flashbanging 100% peaceful protestors one street over from the White House. National Guard, Secret Service, Park police and ICE all present. No provocation whatsoever. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44004 "2020-06-01T22:50:31Z")
Well, here we go. Is it martial law yet? I’m so sick of winning. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2020, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44005 "2020-06-01T22:51:11Z")
tl;dr version of his address: nothing about racism or reconciliation. All about deploying forces against rioters, anarchists and Antifa. And some oblique reference to the Second Amendment. fuck this guy. ---
**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:** [June 1, 2020, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44006 "2020-06-01T22:58:59Z")
Welp, sounds like he’s going to deploy “thousands and thousands of heavily armed soldiers, military personnel and law enforcement officers to bring order.” So, military occupation of Democrat strongholds it is then. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=2199) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=2201)