# 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:** 343
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6842 "2017-06-16T16:07:04Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > I beg to differ. There’s no question that Trump is making money from his office. The only question is whether “emoluments” means flat-out gifts, or does it include money in exchange for goods and services. And how Government agencies setting up meetings with lobbyists in his DC hotel fits in. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6843 "2017-06-16T16:12:11Z")
The obvious explanation regarding the Trump administration. [Proof](http://www.express.co.uk/news/weird/784443/Aliens-Earth-quarantine-humans-Stanton-Friedman) ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6844 "2017-06-16T16:13:49Z")
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the GOP congress gives carte blanch emoluments permission before SCOTUS gets a far as a ruling. ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6845 "2017-06-16T16:16:35Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > “We need someone to run a federal program to distribute billions of dollars for housing in the New York metropolitan area. Eric, who was that woman with a fake law degree who [planned your wedding?](http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/trump-chooses-family-event-planner-run-n-y-housing-programs-article-1.3251314?utm_content=bufferf5ded&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=NYDailyNewsTw) Let’s get her to do it.” My guess as to what happened: **Trump Aide:** We need someone to head the main New York Housing and Urban development office. \*\*Trump: \*\*Urban eh? Who else besides Carson do we know who’s black? ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6846 "2017-06-16T16:20:04Z")
Al Franken exposes birther beliefs of Trump’s judicial nominee: > **[Al Franken exposes birther beliefs of Trump’s judicial nominee](https://deadstate.org/watch-al-franken-scorch-trumps-birther-conspiracy-theorist-judicial-nominee/)** > > When Kentucky lawyer John Bush was nominated by President Trump for a federal appeals court position, his blogging pseudonym... > [@](#): > > When Kentucky lawyer John Bush was nominated by President Trump for a federal appeals court position, his blogging pseudonym “G. Morris” was covered in an article by BuzzFeed — because his political opinions are relevant. But during his confirmation hearing, Senator Al Franken (D-MN) delved a little deeper into the sources Bush promoted as a blogger, and watching him try to explain his penchant for birtherism and conspiracy theories was notably cringe-inducing. > > Frankin [sic] pointed out that Bush relied heavily on World Net Daily, a site that pushes a grotesque mix of birtherism, racism, conspiracies, and biblical End Times nuttery. In case, like me, you question the veracity of a site called [deadstate.org](http://deadstate.org), here’s video of Franken questioning the nominee. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/7XafNHD9ySo/hqdefault.jpg "Al Franken Questions John Bush, 6/14/17") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XafNHD9ySo) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6847 "2017-06-16T16:20:40Z")
> [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](#): > > once someone declares their DACA status, Then they go after the parents. I think you’ve found the fly in the ointment. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6848 "2017-06-16T16:26:40Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > I beg to differ. There’s no question that Trump is making money from his office. The only question is whether “emoluments” means flat-out gifts, or does it include money in exchange for goods and services. That will wind up a Supreme Court decision (no doubt) and if they decide the latter, Trump is in violation of the Constitution and either needs to divest, get Congressional waivers, or leave. Constitution says “of any kind whatever”, so it would seem as though it should cover any kind of payment, of whatever form it takes. The Emoluments clause is rarely invoked, because it is something that has been simply part of our culture since the constitution was formed. Emoluments were a big thing back then, where a wealthy nation would come in, and essentially buy or bribe the local government into acquiescing to their demands. Putting the heads of state in a situation where they were not allowed to accept such things was a novel idea, but one whose time had come. So, here’s a question. That is just the second half of the clause, what about the first half. It says that the US cannot grant titles of nobility. Just as the second part of the clause has not gotten much exercise in the last couple of hundred years because the people in our government were not looking to abuse every single rule and law they could, what would happen if Trump started granting titles of nobility? Is there any case law to deal with that? Is there anyone who would have standing to challenge it? ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6849 "2017-06-16T16:31:44Z")
> [@Buck\_Godot](#): > > My guess as to what happened: > > **Trump Aide:** We need someone to head the main New York Housing and Urban development office. > \*\*Trump: \*\*Urban eh? Who else besides Carson do we know who’s black? And why won’t Frederick Douglas return my phone calls? Hmmm, I wonder if he could set up a meeting with Harriet Tubman. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6850 "2017-06-16T16:46:17Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > Trump has apparently [reversed himself](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/16/us/politics/trump-will-allow-dreamers-to-stay-in-us-reversing-campaign-promise.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news) on deporting “Dreamers”. I would like to be able to say that he’s showing some humanity, but knowing Trump, and knowing that he has zero humanity, I’m betting it’s a diversion to try to quiet some of the wolves howling at his heals. I’m betting he’s just forgotten whatever position he was advocating last time he expounded on this. I assume he’ll be back to kicking Dreamers around tomorrow. ---
**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 16, 2017, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6851 "2017-06-16T16:47:02Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the GOP congress gives carte blanch emoluments permission before SCOTUS gets a far as a ruling. It’s in the Constitution. Congress can’t change that on their own. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6852 "2017-06-16T16:50:53Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > It’s in the Constitution. Congress can’t change that on their own. Here’s the exact wording (bolding mine): “No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, **without the Consent of the Congress** , accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.” So a Congressional waiver would be necessary but sufficient. ---
**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 16, 2017, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6853 "2017-06-16T16:52:52Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > So Donald Trump is basically [Belkar Bitterleaf](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0335.html) with a Twitter account? But, in Trump’s case, the wild muskrat sits atop his head. ---
**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 16, 2017, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6854 "2017-06-16T16:54:47Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Here’s the exact wording (bolding mine): > > “No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, **without the Consent of the Congress** , accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.” > > So a Congressional waiver would be necessary but sufficient. I forgot that part. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6855 "2017-06-16T17:02:17Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > So Donald Trump is basically [Belkar Bitterleaf](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0335.html) with a Twitter account? “Loser Roy won’t let me go on murder sprees, because Fake Alignment Rules are against fun stabby times. SAD!” ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6856 "2017-06-16T17:17:20Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Here’s the exact wording (bolding mine): > > “No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, **without the Consent of the Congress** , accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.” > > So a Congressional waiver would be necessary but sufficient. It’s still not clear to me whether that consent can be retroactive. Trump has _already_ accepted emoluments and hasn’t even requested consent from Congress. ---
**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 16, 2017, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6857 "2017-06-16T17:24:08Z")
Katy Tur of NBC News is reporting that Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen, has lawyered up himself. ---
**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:** [June 16, 2017, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6858 "2017-06-16T17:26:55Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Katy Tur of NBC News is reporting that Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen, has lawyered up himself. It’s lawyers all the way down! ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6859 "2017-06-16T17:27:23Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Katy Tur of NBC News is reporting that Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen, has lawyered up himself. Yo dawg, I heard you like lawyers… ---
**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 16, 2017, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6860 "2017-06-16T17:29:41Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Katy Tur of NBC News is reporting that Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen, has lawyered up himself. Which ones? ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6861 "2017-06-16T17:34:17Z")
I wouldn’t be surprised to see the republicans start arguing that lack of a rebuke from Congress on the accepting of emoluments constitutes a de facto consent. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=342) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=344)