# 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:** 2240
**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 15, 2020, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44787 "2020-06-15T12:55:06Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > People who habitually wear heels as part of the work attire get a lot of practice in using them. I’ve seen plenty of people negotiate stairs and ramps in towering heels and they do it with more grace and poise than Trump toddling down that ramp. > … Melania does fine in 4-inch stilettos. Maybe she should give him lessons. ---
**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 15, 2020, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44788 "2020-06-15T13:41:18Z")
Behind the scenes the trump machine grinds on… **[Scoop: Trump’s loyalty cop clashes with agency heads](http://https://www.axios.com/john-mcentee-white-house-trump-a799d519-aa2f-4e3d-b081-601f8193d75d.html)** > [@](#): > > President Trump, in a highly unusual new effort, has begun making significant staffing changes inside top federal agencies without the consent — and, in at least one case, without even the knowledge — of the agency head, according to officials familiar with the effort. > > **Why it matters:** This campaign — helmed by Trump’s loyalty enforcer, a 30-year-old former body man who now runs hiring for the government — is part of the systematic purging or reassigning of those deemed insufficiently supportive of Trump. > > ``` > [ul] > > ``` > > [li]The effort’s pace has alarmed top officials, according to 11 current and former officials with direct knowledge of the situation.[/li][/ul] > \*\* > Behind the scenes:\*\* Trump has empowered John McEntee, director of the Presidential Personnel Office, in a way his predecessors never were. In his short time on the job, McEntee has flexed this power, steamrolling Cabinet officials and agency heads to install his chosen candidates. > … > \*\*The big picture: \*\*McEntee is doing exactly what Trump wants him to do, administration officials say. And his moves have thrilled conservative activists, who’ve long urged Trump to purge his administration of insufficiently loyal officials and to install people who, in their view, will more aggressively implement his agenda. > > ``` > [ul] > > ``` > > [li]But many others at the senior levels of Trump’s government are sounding alarms about the loss of expertise and institutional knowledge, as well as unnecessary controversy.[/li][li] McEntee has appointed at least three college seniors to administration posts well beyond their experience, as Politico has reported. He’s also approved controversial hires that have brought about internal complaints at several agencies.[/li][/ul] > … > > \*\*Between the lines: \*\*McEntee tests job seekers’ loyalty to Trump in informal conversations, and he has formalized this emphasis in a new “research questionnaire.” > … > > **How it works:** Top personnel officials from previous administrations say they looked for people who supported their presidents’ agendas and avoided candidates with the potential to publicly criticize or embarrass the president. But they said McEntee’s heavy emphasis on loyalty over experience is unusual. > … Bold and bullet points in original. Underlining is mine. COLLEGE SENIORS??? :eek: The text of the “research questionnaire” is at the article link. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44789 "2020-06-15T14:17:52Z")
Fixed colonless [link](https://www.axios.com/john-mcentee-white-house-trump-a799d519-aa2f-4e3d-b081-601f8193d75d.html) in previous post. ---
**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 15, 2020, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44790 "2020-06-15T14:32:43Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > Fixed colonless [link](https://www.axios.com/john-mcentee-white-house-trump-a799d519-aa2f-4e3d-b081-601f8193d75d.html) in previous post. Thanks ever so! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44791 "2020-06-15T14:43:44Z")
Since we’re on the subject, why does Trump [stand like a centaur](https://miro.medium.com/max/974/1*6-MPRi55oBECO6mrZEQfAg.png)? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44792 "2020-06-15T14:47:25Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Since we’re on the subject, why does Trump [stand like a centaur](https://miro.medium.com/max/974/1*6-MPRi55oBECO6mrZEQfAg.png)? The microphones are bracing him so he doesn’t fall forward. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44793 "2020-06-15T15:06:33Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Behind the scenes the trump machine grinds on… > > **[Scoop: Trump’s loyalty cop clashes with agency heads](http://https://www.axios.com/john-mcentee-white-house-trump-a799d519-aa2f-4e3d-b081-601f8193d75d.html)** > Bold and bullet points in original. Underlining is mine. > > COLLEGE SENIORS??? :eek: > > The text of the “research questionnaire” is at the article link. I believe every word of that quote but I have to wonder why Trump’s people are undertaking that kind of effort this late in the game. It will all be undone by a November loss. Are they that confident? Does Trump have some kind of election skullduggery up his sleeve that leaves them confident of another four years? ---
**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 15, 2020, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44794 "2020-06-15T15:16:05Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > …Does Trump have some kind of election skullduggery up his sleeve that leaves them confident of another four years? Nah. Nuttin’ like 'at. 😛 ---
**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 15, 2020, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44795 "2020-06-15T15:18:22Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Melania does fine in 4-inch stilettos. Maybe she should give him lessons. Lessons? From a _woman_? Discipline, OTOH… ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44796 "2020-06-15T15:20:59Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > I believe every word of that quote but I have to wonder why Trump’s people are undertaking that kind of effort this late in the game. It will all be undone by a November loss. Are they that confident? Does Trump have some kind of election skullduggery up his sleeve that leaves them confident of another four years? Yes, apparently they are that confident. I just posted this same thing in a thread over in P&E. [GOP party operatives seem to think that this election will be even better for Agent Orange than 2016.](https://www.politico.com/news/2020/06/15/trump-glide-reelection-republican-officials-316457) > [@](#): > > “The more bad things happen in the country, it just solidifies support for Trump,” said Phillip Stephens, GOP chairman in Robeson County, N.C., one of several rural counties in that swing state that shifted from supporting Barack Obama in 2012 to Trump in 2016. “We’re calling him ‘Teflon Trump.’ Nothing’s going to stick, because if anything, it’s getting more exciting than it was in 2016.” > This year, Stephens said, “We’re thinking landslide.” I think it’s incredibly dangerous to underestimate these people. ---
**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 15, 2020, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44797 "2020-06-15T15:23:40Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > > > Behind the scenes the trump machine grinds on… > > > > **[Scoop: Trump’s loyalty cop clashes with agency heads](http://https://www.axios.com/john-mcentee-white-house-trump-a799d519-aa2f-4e3d-b081-601f8193d75d.html)** > > Bold and bullet points in original. Underlining is mine. > > > > COLLEGE SENIORS??? :eek: > > > > The text of the “research questionnaire” is at the article link. > > I believe every word of that quote but I have to wonder why Trump’s people are undertaking that kind of effort this late in the game. It will all be undone by a November loss. Are they that confident? Does Trump have some kind of election skullduggery up his sleeve that leaves them confident of another four years? The experienced civil servants and/or federal employees who have been forced out during the Trump administration aren’t all going to return automatically when he leaves office. Some will have retired while others moved to the private sector or to academia. In short, his administration has done damage to the government that will be felt for a long time. ---
**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 15, 2020, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44798 "2020-06-15T15:29:31Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Since we’re on the subject, why does Trump [stand like a centaur](https://miro.medium.com/max/974/1*6-MPRi55oBECO6mrZEQfAg.png)? Basically, that’s how people with Frontotemporal Dementia stand. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44799 "2020-06-15T15:51:06Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > I believe every word of that quote but I have to wonder why Trump’s people are undertaking that kind of effort this late in the game. It will all be undone by a November loss. Are they that confident? Does Trump have some kind of election skullduggery up his sleeve that leaves them confident of another four years? If they win, they certain want their people (competent or not) in all available slots. So why wouldn’t they do this? It is odd they didn’t do it earlier, although I suspect it was being done at some level and perhaps is just now becoming public/more blatant. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44800 "2020-06-15T15:56:14Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Since we’re on the subject, why does Trump [stand like a centaur](https://miro.medium.com/max/974/1*6-MPRi55oBECO6mrZEQfAg.png)? One description I saw (Daily Show?) was: like a Tyrannosaurus Rex holding a briefcase on fire. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44801 "2020-06-15T16:07:09Z")
> [@Red\_Wiggler](#): > > I believe every word of that quote but I have to wonder why Trump’s people are undertaking that kind of effort this late in the game. It will all be undone by a November loss. Are they that confident? Does Trump have some kind of election skullduggery up his sleeve that leaves them confident of another four years? Pretty typical of the GOP. Screw things up so bad that Democrats have to spend all their time just cleaning up the mess. In the mean time, they can rake in the cash. Basically like building a house with no insulation and selling it on a nice spring day. And of course putting some rats in the walls just for LOL. ---
**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 15, 2020, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44802 "2020-06-15T16:29:26Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > The microphones are bracing him so he doesn’t fall forward. > [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Basically, that’s how people with Frontotemporal Dementia stand. Apparently this is a [real thing.](https://i.redd.it/zka4yw8fmd151.png) ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2020, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44803 "2020-06-15T16:40:18Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Apparently this is a [real thing.](https://i.redd.it/zka4yw8fmd151.png) Nothing personal, but that’s not much of a cite. ---
**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 15, 2020, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44804 "2020-06-15T16:52:03Z")
Tulsa OK is getting ready to host a lovely Trump rally. This is widely seen as [Not A Good Thing](https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/trump-rally-called-dangerous-move-in-age-of-coronavirus-1.4983829) for public health reasons. Oklahoma has a low(ish) rate of Covid, but it is trending upwards. Tulsa (pop. 400,000) alone had 82 new cases on Saturday. By contrast, my province of 5 million has had about 10 cases/day for the past two weeks. My local health area (pop 800,000) has had ZERO cases for the past three weeks. And there is no way on earth anyone here would allow an indoor gathering of 19,000 people, many travelling from far away. It’s simply a recipe for an absolute disaster. Add to this that I doubt very much that many people will be wearing masks, because they don’t want to show weakness in front of Dear Leader. Many undoubtedly don’t even believe in viruses full stop. Add to this the hypocrisy of the Trump campaign demanding a waiver from attendees that they cannot sue Trump if they contract Covid. > [@](#): > > Bruce Dart, executive director of the Tulsa Health Department, said he wished the rally would postponed to a later date “when the virus isn’t as large a concern as it is today.” > [@](#): > > Shelley Payne, director of the LaMontagne Center for Infectious Disease at the University of Texas at Austin, said the Trump rally meets every criteria for the riskiest type of event. > [@](#): > > Julie Fischer, an associate research professor of microbiology and immunology at Georgetown University, said the event could have wide repercussions for the country. > [@](#): > > Dr. Ashish Jha, director of Harvard’s Global Health Institute, called the upcoming Trump rally “an extraordinarily dangerous move for the people participating and the people who may know them and love them and see them afterward.” ---
**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 15, 2020, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44805 "2020-06-15T17:04:04Z")
Basically, I think the only people who will go to the Trump Tulsa rally are the dumbest of the dumb-asses, who have no idea how risky this is, and most likely engage in risky behaviour elsewhere. These people are probably more likely to be carrying Covid, because they have not been following good health practice anyway. And they are probably travelling from a distance, and will carry the infection back with them. (As Dr. Jha of Harvard said above) But it’s all good, because Trump will make money from selling his Chinese Hats, and nobody will be allowed to sue him. ---
**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 15, 2020, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/44806 "2020-06-15T17:05:16Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Apparently this is a [real thing.](https://i.redd.it/zka4yw8fmd151.png) > [@steronz](#): > > Nothing personal, but that’s not much of a cite. Granted. But it had the picture and the description. Suggest you google it for yourself. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=2239) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=2241)