# 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:** 2202
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44027 "2020-06-02T00:07:07Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > And the peaceful protesters at the church were cleared away with rubber bullets so that he could have a photo op holding up a book he never has read in front of it. I was wrong. [They used rubber bullets AND tear gas.](https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/6/1/21277530/trump-speech-police-violence-dc-tear-gas) > [@](#): > > Just before he spoke, federal police violently broke up a peaceful protest just outside the White House, tear-gassing a group of about 1,000 demonstrators and then firing rubber bullets at them so Trump could have an uninterrupted photo op at a nearby church damaged in the weekend’s upheaval. Mr. Freedom Lover found a group of peaceful protesters exercising their rights to be inconvenient, so he sics the troops on them to get his picture taken. What’s next? Axe handles? Fire hoses? ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44028 "2020-06-02T00:10:02Z")
> [@raventhief](#): > > The rubber bullets, tear gas, and flash bangs were all in daylight just now. So Trump could have a photo op in front of the church. That’s right, and it provided photographic evidence to the entire world that Trump is an out-of-control despot. But this is something else. If peaceful protesters are treated unjustly during the daylight hours, the despot is harmed. But if peaceful protesters stay out after dark and the despot has the opportunity to frame them for crimes (looting and arson) that’s actually committed by his own agents, then the despot is _ **helped** _. I don’t want to see the despot helped. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44029 "2020-06-02T00:12:06Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > I was wrong. [They used rubber bullets AND tear gas.](https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2020/6/1/21277530/trump-speech-police-violence-dc-tear-gas) > > Mr. Freedom Lover found a group of peaceful protesters exercising their rights to be inconvenient, **so he sics the troops on them to get his picture taken.** What’s next? Axe handles? Fire hoses? So much for refusing illegal orders. ---
**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 2, 2020, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44030 "2020-06-02T00:20:18Z")
I think protestors are going to catch on to the tactic quite fast. If they protest peacefully during the day, silently raising their fists, taking knees, etc. then go home before the sun goes down, it leaves only the rabble rousers behind with their slips showing. Won’t be so easy to pretend to be antifa when all the boogaloo bois are in jail. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44031 "2020-06-02T00:29:44Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > I think protestors are going to catch on to the tactic quite fast. > > If they protest peacefully during the day, silently raising their fists, taking knees, etc. then go home before the sun goes down, it leaves only the rabble rousers behind with their slips showing. > > Won’t be so easy to pretend to be antifa when all the boogaloo bois are in jail. I hope you’re right about them catching on. I argued this on Twitter today. I got a lot of flack from followers I believe to be genuine American resisters, about ‘not giving in’ and similar expressions of defiance—as if protesting after dark were necessary to the cause of justice. I didn’t encounter any arguments to that effect that I found convincing. ---
**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 2, 2020, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44032 "2020-06-02T00:35:00Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > I hope you’re right about them catching on. > > I argued this on Twitter today. I got a lot of flack from followers I believe to be genuine American resisters, about ‘not giving in’ and similar expressions of defiance—as if protesting after dark were necessary to the cause of justice. > > I didn’t encounter any arguments to that effect that I found convincing. I hope I’m right, too. It’s notable the difference in the demeanor of protestors in Minneapolis tonight, after George Floyd’s brother spoke movingly this afternoon and calmed the waters. He entreated the crowd to not loot or tear apart their community, pointing out that if _he_ wasn’t doing it, upset as he is, then the protestors could channel their energies more productively, too. He asked people to use their voices wisely. And to vote. It seems to have had an impact – at least, so far. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44033 "2020-06-02T00:47:34Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Troops moving in DC now. Trump will try this out first, and see if he can get the situation even more whipped up. Then see what happens. > > I predict a next step will be muzzling certain members of the media, or entire outlets, for reporting things he does not like. IIRC, rioting in DC is a federal crime. This statute was applied during the inauguration protests. No doubt will be used again, sweeping up people who thought they would check out a peaceful protest on a Monday night and find themselves facing federal felony charges the next morning by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Sure, they might get acquitted, but they might go bankrupt paying attorneys to get the charges dropped. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44034 "2020-06-02T00:53:06Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > CNN has just pointed out that the insurrection act only gives him the authority to deploy troops inside the district of Columbia. Sending troops to a state would require an invitation from the governor. > > And he literally walked across the street to pose for a picture waving a Bible. And then left. There may be other statutes at the president’s disposal. The sad truth is, nobody knows what would really stop him if he said “Fuck it, I _am_ the Constitution” in this situation. The Constitution and the Congress have given the president an awful lot of power over the years, and because there are always questions that the laws don’t answer and situations lawmakers never quite anticipated, nobody - not even the sharpest legal minds - could tell you with any certitude where this ends. And that’s because we’re drifting right into a political crisis. ---
**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 2, 2020, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44035 "2020-06-02T01:30:09Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > And now he’s heading to St Johns Church for a photo op. **[Look](https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1267601878109618177)! I have a bible in my hand! Can you see it? Let me hold it above my head so you can!** ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44036 "2020-06-02T01:54:39Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > **[Look](https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1267601878109618177)! I have a bible in my hand! Can you see it? Let me hold it above my head so you can!** The best part is there is a Trump [Tweet](https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/698661220258357248): “Ted Cruz is a cheater! He holds the Bible high and then lies and misrepresents the facts!” ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44037 "2020-06-02T02:15:33Z")
I thought Trump was against American carnage? Now, I get it that this administration does not much care for limits and such. Still, are there not limits on what police/soldiers can do to protesters? The insurrection act kind of evokes an insurrection. Peaceful protesters ain’t that, so how is it kosher to gas them and fire rubber bullets as if it is a riot? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44038 "2020-06-02T02:20:12Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > **[Look](https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1267601878109618177)! I have a bible in my hand! Can you see it? Let me hold it above my head so you can!** The church behind him must have anticipated his presence because it’s boarded up. Yeah, I know, possibly in advance of protesters. But If this had been planned in any way shape or form they certainly could have protected the church. In his ‘speech’ today, at the end he was going to go worship or something. I thought he was going to his golden American Standard throne (or perhaps it’s a Kohler). I wonder where they stole the Bible from? As Putin knows, Trump is the perfect straight man for many a joke. Trump thinks pissing into the wind is good policy. It’s fucking pitiful. ---
**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:** [June 2, 2020, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44039 "2020-06-02T02:29:00Z")
There had been a fire in that church, hence the boarding. ---
**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 2, 2020, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44040 "2020-06-02T02:33:53Z")
How many times has he gone to church (or pretended to go to church) since he took office? How many times did he go to church in the prior decades (aside from his weddings)? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44041 "2020-06-02T02:44:07Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > As Putin knows, Trump is the perfect straight man for many a joke. Trump thinks pissing into the wind is good policy. It’s fucking pitiful. “I had a strong shower this morning. Very powerful elements of golden!” ---
**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 2, 2020, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44042 "2020-06-02T02:46:38Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > “I had a strong shower this morning. Very powerful elements of golden!” “I am number one!” ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44043 "2020-06-02T03:25:33Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > The church behind him must have anticipated his presence because it’s boarded up. Yeah, I know, possibly in advance of protesters. But If this had been planned in any way shape or form they certainly could have protected the church. [They weren’t told at all and are pissed about it](https://twitter.com/mboorstein/status/1267607428293636096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1267607428293636096&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fs9e.github.io%2Fiframe%2F2%2Ftwitter.min.html%231267607428293636096). > [@](#): > > The Episcopal bishop of DC – who oversees the DC church Trump just stopped at – tells the @washingtonpost she is “outraged” and that neither she nor the rector was asked or told… “that they would be clearing with tear gas so they could use one of our churches as a prop…" ---
**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 2, 2020, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44044 "2020-06-02T03:51:15Z")
When [having your church set on fire by rioters](https://www.mediaite.com/tv/cnns-brian-stelter-apologizes-for-claiming-st-johns-church-was-not-burning-i-fell-victim-to-the-worst-foolish-impulses/) is the _second_ worst thing to happen to it in 24 hours… ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44045 "2020-06-02T04:18:11Z")
The Secretary of Defense has declared our United States to be a “Battlezone”. If you don’t think the shit has hit the fan, then you don’t know shit. ---
**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:** [June 2, 2020, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44046 "2020-06-02T04:36:17Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > And the peaceful protesters at the church were cleared away with rubber bullets so that he could have a photo op holding up a book he never has read in front of it. The Cat in the Hat? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=2201) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=2203)