# 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:** 344
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6862 "2017-06-16T17:39:04Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Katy Tur of NBC News is reporting that Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen, has lawyered up himself. Which is kind of funny considering that his defense against anything will most likely consist largely of him repeating the phrase “says who?” over and over again. ---
**Author:** ![JKilez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e5b9ba/32.png) [@JKilez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKilez)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6863 "2017-06-16T17:39:54Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Al Franken exposes birther beliefs of Trump’s judicial nominee: > [Al Franken exposes birther beliefs of Trump’s judicial nominee – DeadState](http://deadstate.org/watch-al-franken-scorch-trumps-birther-conspiracy-theorist-judicial-nominee/) > > 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. > > [http://youtu.be/7XafNHD9ySo](http://youtu.be/7XafNHD9ySo) That was some uncomfortable testimony. Kudos to Franken for making his point. It is worrisome that someone who actively promotes partisan conspiracy theories would hold a position in a federal court. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6864 "2017-06-16T17:57:52Z")
> [@JKilez](#): > > That was some uncomfortable testimony. Kudos to Franken for making his point. It is worrisome that someone who actively promotes partisan conspiracy theories would hold a position in a federal court. Aye; Sen. Franken smacked him down. I went looking and found [an article at ThinkProgress](https://thinkprogress.org/trump-picks-right-wing-blogger-for-a-judgeship-his-confirmation-hearing-went-just-as-youd-expect-a9d7c70ca9ef) that talks about more his confirmation hearing; the article is called [“Trump picks right-wing blogger for a judgeship, his confirmation hearing was a complete train wreck”](https://thinkprogress.org/trump-picks-right-wing-blogger-for-a-judgeship-his-confirmation-hearing-went-just-as-youd-expect-a9d7c70ca9ef) and has the subtitle “Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to pick the guy who compared abortion to slavery?” I’d say it’s even money that he ends up being confirmed. ---
**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 16, 2017, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6865 "2017-06-16T18:02:45Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Katy Tur of NBC News is reporting that Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen, has lawyered up himself. This makes sense. Look what happened to everyone surrounding Nixon back in the day. As I recall, a few lawyers got some jail time out of that one. ---
**Author:** ![oft\_wears\_hats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7993a0/32.png) [@oft\_wears\_hats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oft_wears_hats)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6866 "2017-06-16T18:13:57Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > So Donald Trump is basically [Belkar Bitterleaf](http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0335.html) with a Twitter account? Nonsense. Belkar has shown himself to be capable of critical thinking and character growth. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6867 "2017-06-16T18:34:14Z")
> [@DrFidelius](#): > > I have booked a cruise to Cuba in September based on Obama’s "people to people " program. If Trump fucks this up because he thinks he can get a better deal from Cuba then I may m9ve to Canada. > [@Skywatcher](#): > > Just heard on AP Radio News that there will be no affect on travel. [From AP article about today’s announcement: > [@](#): > > But individual “people-to-people” trips by Americans to Cuba, allowed by Obama for the first time in decades, will again be prohibited. And the U.S. government will police other such trips to ensure there’s a tour group representative along making sure travelers are pursuing a “full-time schedule of educational exchange activities.” ]([http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US\_TRUMP\_CUBA\_FLOL-?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2017-06-16-14-14-23](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_TRUMP_CUBA_FLOL-?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2017-06-16-14-14-23)) ---
**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, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6868 "2017-06-16T18:54:21Z")
From the same article: > [@](#): > > U.S. airlines and cruise ships will still be allowed to serve the island 90 miles south of Florida. Which is to what I was referring. ---
**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, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6869 "2017-06-16T19:05:45Z")
> [@JKilez](#): > > That was some uncomfortable testimony. Kudos to Franken for making his point. It is worrisome that someone who actively promotes partisan conspiracy theories would hold a position in a federal court. Franken is one of those rare congress critters who actually does his homework and research (or at least his staff does, but he reads all of it). He has no compunction about calling out someone who needs it. ---
**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 16, 2017, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6870 "2017-06-16T19:25:37Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Katy Tur of NBC News is reporting that Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen, has lawyered up himself. > [@Bayard](#): > > It’s lawyers all the way down! Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c57346/32.png) [@Little\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Pig)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6871 "2017-06-16T19:32:04Z")
Hold your nose when clicking [on this link](http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/06/16/trump-says-hes-canceling-obamas-one-sided-cuba-deal.html). Maybe The Trumpster is angling for a better “Deal” regarding future “Koo-Bah” Trump Hotels, Trump Casinos, Trump Golf Courses and Trump “Kellyanne” Massage Parlors. Thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![cuauhtemoc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecb155/32.png) [@cuauhtemoc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cuauhtemoc)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6872 "2017-06-16T19:37:19Z")
> [@The Washington Post](#): > > The president’s private attorney, Marc E. Kasowitz, is focused on protecting the personal legal interests of Trump. He has told White House personnel that they do not need to hire their own lawyers. “But Pence’s move to hire an outside attorney could set off a scramble among other West Wing aides — many of whom are already bracing for subpoenas — to do the same, even if only as a protective measure,” Ashley notes. Maybe one of our lawyers can help explain this to me: If Marc Kasowitz is Tpurm’s personal attorney in this matter, then isn’t his ONLY job to advocate for Tmurp himself? And if so, what business does he have recommending White House staff not to hire their their own lawyers? Is this Turmp’s advocate telling his staff on his behalf “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you, I’ll loyally protect your legal interests alongside my own?” And if so, how dumb would a person have to be to believe that? ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6873 "2017-06-16T19:47:43Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > 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. > > [http://youtu.be/7XafNHD9ySo](http://youtu.be/7XafNHD9ySo) Goddamn, that’s uncomfortable to watch. Even more uncomfortable, is that he’ll still probably be seated with this fucking senate. ---
**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, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6874 "2017-06-16T19:48:02Z")
> [@](#): > > Is this Turmp’s advocate telling his staff on his behalf “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you, I’ll loyally protect your legal interests alongside my own?” And if so, how dumb would a person have to be to believe that? Well, they \*do \*work for Trump … ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6875 "2017-06-16T19:49:24Z")
Considering that getting their own attorneys could then be seen as a sign of disloyalty? ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6876 "2017-06-16T20:08:39Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Considering that getting their own attorneys could then be seen as a sign of disloyalty? I’m waiting for Spicer to show up at the podium with Trump’s attorney on his right, and Spicer’s attorney on his left… then when a question is asked - they confer amongst themselves before answering ‘no comment’. Or Spicer turns the mike directly over to one/other attorney’s who blusters about no comment. ---
**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 16, 2017, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6877 "2017-06-16T20:09:09Z")
> [@](#): > > I am being investigated for firing the FBI Director by the man who told me to fire the FBI Director! Witch Hunt Where to start? Doesn’t Trump remember running for president? Did he understand what job he was asking for? He must know that he got the job- he incessantly repeats details about his electoral college victory. And remember that inauguration thingy? The one with the biggest crowd ever? Yeah, that’s when the job starts. So- is he president or not? Does he make decisions as the head of the executive branch, or do the Rosensteins of the world tell him what to do and that’s it? :smack: ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6878 "2017-06-16T20:11:17Z")
Leave it to a Republican to claim that racist bullshit lies are merely “political” views. Fucking dirtbags. Kudos to Al Franken, a Good Guy with guts and a low tolerance of Republican bullshit. ---
**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 16, 2017, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6879 "2017-06-16T21:28:47Z")
> [@cuauhtemoc](#): > > Maybe one of our lawyers can help explain this to me: If Marc Kasowitz is Tpurm’s personal attorney in this matter, then isn’t his ONLY job to advocate for Tmurp himself? > > And if so, what business does he have recommending White House staff not to hire their their own lawyers? > > Is this Turmp’s advocate telling his staff on his behalf “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you, I’ll loyally protect your legal interests alongside my own?” And if so, how dumb would a person have to be to believe that? > [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Well, they \*do \*work for Trump … > [@Chimera](#): > > Considering that getting their own attorneys could then be seen as a sign of disloyalty? I’ve heard that even in an amicable divorce, each party should have his/her own attorney, because their interests are not necessarily identical or 100% congruent. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2017, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6880 "2017-06-16T21:51:56Z")
> [@cuauhtemoc](#): > > And if so, what business does he have recommending White House staff not to hire their their own lawyers? > > Is this Turmp’s advocate telling his staff on his behalf “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you, I’ll loyally protect your legal interests alongside my own?” And if so, how dumb would a person have to be to believe that? It makes his job of tossing them under the bus much easier if they don’t have lawyers. ---
**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 16, 2017, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/6881 "2017-06-16T21:59:42Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > It makes his job of tossing them under the bus much easier if they don’t have lawyers. Yes, it’s pretty straightforward: by advising WH staffers to refrain from getting their own lawyers, Trump’s lawyer is best serving Trump’s own interests–scapegoats may be required to save him, and that tactic will be facilitated if none of the staffers have legal representation. > [@Little\_Pig](#): > > Hold your nose when clicking [on this link](http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/06/16/trump-says-hes-canceling-obamas-one-sided-cuba-deal.html). > > Maybe The Trumpster is angling for a better “Deal” regarding future “Koo-Bah” Trump Hotels, Trump Casinos, Trump Golf Courses and Trump “Kellyanne” Massage Parlors. > Thoughts? Certainly it was my own first reaction when hearing that Trump planned to deep-six many or most of the Obama-era Cuba reforms–that Trump planned to substitute deals that would personally profit him. That’s a pretty safe assumption about _any_ policy changes for which Trump advocates. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=343) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=345)