# 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:** 2203
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44047 "2020-06-02T04:44:02Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > The Cat in the Hat? Poky Little Puppy. ---
**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 2, 2020, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44048 "2020-06-02T05:06:54Z")
> [@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!** Was he reading from it? Was he holding it upside down? Did it burst into flames? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44049 "2020-06-02T05:36:01Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > … a book he never has read … That doesn’t narrow it down much. ---
**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, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44050 "2020-06-02T05:42:33Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > Was he reading from it? Was he holding it upside down? Did it burst into flames? No flames, but he [apparently](https://hillreporter.com/trump-holds-bible-upside-down-and-backwards-during-press-conference-enraging-bishop-and-the-nation-69926) held it upside down and backwards. He appears to be obliged to do everything in the dumbest way possible. ---
**Author:** ![galen\_ubal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galen_ubal/32/4440_2.png) [@galen\_ubal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen_ubal)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44051 "2020-06-02T06:04:19Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > 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… I’m kinda wondering if that may not be a coincidence. I mean, the fire started in the basement, and it seems kind of odd that someone would break into a church, go down to the basement, and start the fire there. I don’t think the standard vandals would go to that much trouble. ---
**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 2, 2020, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44052 "2020-06-02T06:51:42Z")
> [@Morgyn](#): > > 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. I thought the FBI only had jurisdiction if the kidnapping went across or was likely to have gone across state lines, but they always made themselves available to local law enforcement in kidnapping cases anyway. I’m not sure if that’s a difference with a distinction, though. > [@jsc1953](#): > > And now he’s heading to St Johns Church for a photo op. DAMN! Before I converted, I was Episcopalian and I, along with my three brothers, was an acolyte at that very church. > [@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. & > [@smithsb](#): > > Was he reading from it? Was he holding it upside down? Did it burst into flames? Do you remember [_The Holy Quran Experiment_](https://www.cbc.ca/news/trending/bible-quran-disguise-dutch-pranksters-youtube-1.3354446) in which people heard some verses, then expressed their condemnation of the that “horrible book”. The kicker was the person making the video then took of the Qur’an bookcover and showed that he was reading from the Bible. Damn, I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if that joke of a president actually had a Bible bookcover over _Mein Kampf_. > [@Slash1972](#): > > 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!” DAMN! That’s quite a good catch there, **manson1972**. Great job! > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > 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)? DAMN! I’m stunned he was able to find [The Church of the Presidents](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._John%27s_Episcopal_Church,_Lafayette_Square). Ah, he probably needed someone to point it out on a map for him. DAMN! Reading that last link, I see that not only has it been updated to include what the Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde had to say, but also a quote from St. John’s rector: > [@](#): > > We were literally DRIVEN OFF of the St. John’s, Lafayette Square patio with tear gas and concussion grenades and police in full riot gear. DAMN! That church’s RECTOR was chased off the church’s grounds so Mister Ego could get flattery. I am beyond appalled. DAMN! I really wish English had a curse word that started with 'k" so I could anagram KKK in reference to that cantaloupe-colored clown. ---
**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, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44053 "2020-06-02T07:35:13Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Damn, I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if that joke of a president actually had a Bible bookcover over _Mein Kampf_. Given the deeply strained relationship that ShitGibbon has will words (those annoying little things that books have too many of), I am not sure what book he might be holding even matters, as his neuron is not capable of coping with complex concepts. > [@Monty](#): > > I really wish English had a curse word that started with 'k" so I could anagram KKK in reference to that cantaloupe-colored clown. [there might be](https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Karen) ---
**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 2, 2020, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44054 "2020-06-02T08:40:29Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > Given the deeply strained relationship that ShitGibbon has will words (those annoying little things that books have too many of), I am not sure what book he might be holding even matters, as his neuron is not capable of coping with complex concepts. I do believe that’s a valid point. > [@](#): > > [there might be](https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Karen) I’m very uncomfortable using a popular enough name to malign someone. I’m especially uncomfortable if that name is used for just one gender. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44055 "2020-06-02T09:19:21Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Damn, I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if that joke of a president actually had a Bible bookcover over _Mein Kampf_. “In my photo-op in front of the church, I wanna hold up a Bible. Do we have a Bible?” "No, Mr. President. We do have _The Poky Little Puppy_, _Green Eggs and Ham_, _The Happy Hooker_ by Xaviera Hollander, and _The Idiot’s Guide to the U.S. Constitution_. Would any of those do? “No, they’re not a Bible. And they’re not thick enough. Find something thick that we can wrap in black paper, dammit!” “How about this, Mr. President? It’s a copy of _The Stand_ by Stephen King. It’s the edited version, but it does come in hardback, and is thick enough, and we could wrap it in black paper. I think that Mr. Obama left it behind when he left the White House” “Good enough. Do it. Make the wrapping tight, so I don’t have to touch any part that that Kenyan Muslim did.” “Umm … Mr. President, doesn’t it strike you as ironic that even if it’s wrapped in black paper to make it look like a Bible, you’ll be holding up a book that is about the apocalypse as predicted in the Bible’s Book of Revelations, in front of a Christian church?” “Makes it more like a Bible, then. Do it and I’ll use it!” I made all this up, but it seems perfectly plausible. Sadly. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44056 "2020-06-02T10:29:30Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > I predict a next step will be muzzling certain members of the media, or entire outlets, for reporting things he does not like. Muzzling? They’re already arresting and _shooting at_ reporters, I think the word “muzzling” wil be inadequate for what comes next. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44057 "2020-06-02T10:34:32Z")
> [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](#): > > I thought Trump was against American carnage? Trump opposes hurting his supporters, who are the only people he views as actually American. Anyone who is NOT 100% supporting him and kissing his ass are not American and/or traitors committing treason and fair game. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 10:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44058 "2020-06-02T10:56:40Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > The church behind him must have anticipated his presence because it’s boarded up. No. It was boarded up because of damage on prior days/nights ---
**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 2, 2020, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44059 "2020-06-02T10:59:54Z")
Somber and accurate obituary on the trump (so-called) administration. [ **We’ve Now Entered the Final Phase of the Trump Era** _The president is stuck in a vicious downward spiral._](https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/06/weve-now-entered-the-final-phase-of-the-trump-era/612508/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+TheAtlantic+%2528The+Atlantic+-+Master+Feed%2529) > [@](#): > > We are in the Götterdämmerung now, the final phase of the Trump era. We began with the axis of adults that imperfectly constrained him. We then entered the age of hubris and action during which he systematically rid himself of the adults and was free to follow his whims. The third phase was the reckoning as he began to bump up against the contradictions of his own approach, on China and Iran in particular. Now we have finally arrived at the long-feared crisis and unraveling. > > For three chaotic years, Donald Trump muddled through, at least in the eyes of Republicans, buoyed by the strong economy he inherited from his predecessor and powered forward by the long GOP wish list, which included, among many items, judicial appointments, deregulation, and the undoing of the Iran nuclear deal. Virtually every consequential and sympathetic analysis of the Trump administration, though, included a caveat: A serious crisis would upend any Republican progress and test the ill-equipped and vindictive president. Deep down, we all hoped the country would get lucky and slip through these four years without a paradigm-changing incident. But if luck is earned, we had no right to it. > > The worst possible crisis arrived in COVID-19, one that tugged at every weakness of the president and the nation. It demanded scientific literacy, discipline, trust in authority, sacrifice, and patience. And then another crisis arrived with the economic depression. And then another, with the brutal murder of George Floyd. Now more than 100,000 people are dead, more than 40 million are unemployed, and violent protests have spread across the country. > > Trump is stuck in a vicious downward spiral. He is incapable of undertaking the policies necessary to address any of these three crises, so he grasps for actions that shock the senses—accusing journalists of murder, pulling out of the World Health Organization, trying to prosecute Obama-administration officials. These actions simply make matters worse, but he still doubles down again and again. > … > > \ > > … > > This is what to expect for the next five months. The worse the multiple crises get, the more he will lash out, to less and less effect, except to render the U.S. impotent and irrelevant. The American people will pay the price. > > There is no way back from the Götterdämmerung in the remainder of the Trump era. The question facing responsible senior administration officials (there are several at the principal and deputy level), Republicans in Congress, and allied governments is not how to persuade Trump to do the right thing, but how to limit the damage so the government can be repaired after he is gone. This may mean not urging Trump to take action on crises even if it is merited; circumventing the president wherever possible; Republican governors declaring their independence from their party leader, trying to craft a bipartisan approach in Congress on foreign-policy issues such as competing with China in international institutions and protecting against Russian interference; and using distractions of their own to divert his attention from truly consequential decisions. Call it fortification—of constitutional democracy and America’s international interests. There are 231 long days with nothing but stormy weather left. > … No one thing has been the last straw. But now… a towering Burning Man of straw who keeps pouring gasoline on himself and defiantly lighting matches. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44060 "2020-06-02T11:02:03Z")
Seems to me that a possible tactic of Trump is to declare any demonstrator or protester to be in active rebellion against the United States and use that as a pretext to invoke the Insurrection Act and send in Federal troops, treating any that oppose him as “enemy combatants”. This will not end well. And, of course, we’ll have an upsurge in covid in 1-2 weeks on top of all this. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44061 "2020-06-02T11:42:31Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > No flames, but he [apparently](https://hillreporter.com/trump-holds-bible-upside-down-and-backwards-during-press-conference-enraging-bishop-and-the-nation-69926) held it upside down and backwards. > > He appears to be obliged to do everything in the dumbest way possible. Maybe it’s like displaying the US flag upside down? ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44062 "2020-06-02T12:08:16Z")
Reporter: “Is that your bible?” Trump: “It’s ‘a’ bible.” I’ve heard that Trump hiding in a bunker from protesters while the White House lights were turned off was a perfect symbol and summary of the Trump administration, but I think teargassing a crowd of peaceful protesters to make way for a walk to the church to set up a phony, hollow photo-op while displaying a bible upside-down is the perfect symbol of his presidency. ---
**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, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44063 "2020-06-02T12:11:51Z")
He says he’s going to “activate the Attorney General, and activate him very strongly”. WTF does that mean? Add water to him? Did he order a box of Acme Attorney General Activation Pills? How long before we see tanks in American cities? How long before they start shooting real bullets? We can only hope that we have less than eight months of this madman remaining. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 2, 2020, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44064 "2020-06-02T12:35:06Z")
> [@BobLibDem](#): > > How long before we see tanks in American cities? We certainly had armored military vehicles in Minneapolis… sort of tanks. But probably not long for real tanks. > [@BobLibDem](#): > > How long before they start shooting real bullets? Any day now - they’re already shooting rubber ones and throwing flash-bangs at peaceful and unarmed protesters in order to take over a church. > [@BobLibDem](#): > > We can only hope that we have less than eight months of this madman remaining. My fear is that end of this will not be in democracy and freedom. ---
**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 2, 2020, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44065 "2020-06-02T12:49:53Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > “In my photo-op in front of the church, I wanna hold up a Bible. Do we have a Bible?” > > "No, Mr. President. We do have _The Poky Little Puppy_, _Green Eggs and Ham_, _The Happy Hooker_ by Xaviera Hollander, and _The Idiot’s Guide to the U.S. Constitution_. Would any of those do? > > “No, they’re not a Bible. And they’re not thick enough. Find something thick that we can wrap in black paper, dammit!” > > “How about this, Mr. President? It’s a copy of _The Stand_ by Stephen King. It’s the edited version, but it does come in hardback, and is thick enough, and we could wrap it in black paper. I think that Mr. Obama left it behind when he left the White House” > > “Good enough. Do it. Make the wrapping tight, so I don’t have to touch any part that that Kenyan Muslim did.” > > “Umm … Mr. President, doesn’t it strike you as ironic that even if it’s wrapped in black paper to make it look like a Bible, you’ll be holding up a book that is about the apocalypse as predicted in the Bible’s Book of Revelations, in front of a Christian church?” > > “Makes it more like a Bible, then. Do it and I’ll use it!” > > I made all this up, but it seems perfectly plausible. Sadly. There are two problems with that scenario. First, that makes it look like the twerp actually knows anything at all about books, let alone the Bible. Second, it’s _Revelation_, not _Revelations_. 🙂 Speaking of Bibles, what happened to the Lincoln Bible the twerp tarnished in 2017 by putting his dinky digits on? ---
**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, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44066 "2020-06-02T13:01:48Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > There are two problems with that scenario. First, that makes it look like the twerp actually knows anything at all about books, let alone the Bible. Second, it’s _Revelation_, not _Revelations_. 🙂 > > Speaking of Bibles, what happened to the Lincoln Bible the twerp tarnished in 2017 by putting his dinky digits on? That was a replica he was sworn in on. The original burst into flames during the practice session. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=2202) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=2204)