# 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:** 491
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/9804 "2017-08-12T00:22:55Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > [Trump threatens Venezuela with ‘military option’.](http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-venezuela-military-idUSKBN1AR2GR?il=0) > > Can’t he finish one crisis before ginning up the next? The threat of US invasion is exactly what Maduro uses to shore up his support. ---
**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:** [August 12, 2017, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/9805 "2017-08-12T00:27:33Z")
I just want someone to explain to me what an “overt threat” is… [QUOTE=[http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/11/politics/trump-north-korea-overt-threat/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/11/politics/trump-north-korea-overt-threat/index.html)] This man will not get away with what he is doing," Trump told reporters. “If he utters one threat in the form of an overt threat … or if he does anything with respect to Guam, or any place else that is an American territory or an America ally, he will truly regret it and he will regret it fast.” [/QUOTE] is it a red, yellow or bright line? ---
**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:** [August 12, 2017, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/9806 "2017-08-12T01:02:15Z")
> [@simster](#): > > I just want someone to explain to me what an “overt threat” is… > > is it a red, yellow or bright line? Orange. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/9807 "2017-08-12T03:24:09Z")
> [@simster](#): > > I just want someone to explain to me what an “overt threat” is… > > is it a red, yellow or bright line? I think you know what I mean. You’ll see. You’ll see. [/channeling Trump] ---
**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:** [August 12, 2017, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/9808 "2017-08-12T03:50:09Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > I think you know what I mean. You’ll see. You’ll see. > > [/channeling Trump] I think it means you don’t know what the word ‘overt’ means. > [@](#): > > o·vert > ōˈvərt,ˈōvərt/ > adjective > adjective: overt > > ``` > done or shown openly; plainly or readily apparent, not secret or hidden. > "an overt act of aggression" > synonyms: undisguised, unconcealed, plain (to see), clear, apparent, conspicuous, obvious, noticeable, manifest, patent, open, blatant > "an overt attempt to sidestep the truth" > antonyms: covert > > ``` Is this another covfefe moment? ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/9809 "2017-08-12T04:33:38Z")
Now this could be interesting! Trump’s [secretary](http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/346177-congressional-investigators-look-to-interview-trump-secretary-in) is getting dragged into the investigation. First and foremost a good secretary knows every damn thing so if anyone has dirt it will be her. Second, she’s kinda pretty so one of the questions is bound to be “can you show me on the doll where Trump touched you?” ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/9810 "2017-08-12T04:42:29Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > [Trump threatens Venezuela with ‘military option’.](http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-venezuela-military-idUSKBN1AR2GR?il=0) > > Can’t he finish one crisis before ginning up the next? I have this sneaking suspicion that his bloviating about DPRK (and Li’l Kim’s responses) haven’t been sufficient to knock Mueller completely out of the news cycle — and he hears footsteps growing closer._Still with unhurrying chase, And unperturbèd pace, Deliberate speed, majestic instancy, Came on the following Feet, And a Voice above their beat — “All those will fall to me, that shieldest thee.”_(With apologies to [Francis Thompson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Thompson)) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/9811 "2017-08-12T04:45:57Z")
The thing is, making different headlines won’t actually stop the investigation. Doesn’t that dumb groping child understand this? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/9812 "2017-08-12T05:05:44Z")
> [@The\_Tooth](#): > > Doesn’t that dumb groping child understand this? The answer to that is always “no.” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/9813 "2017-08-12T05:09:41Z")
Right. Forgot for a second that the inside of that head is full of hair as well. ---
**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:** [August 12, 2017, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/9814 "2017-08-12T12:11:11Z")
> [@The\_Tooth](#): > > The thing is, making different headlines won’t actually stop the investigation. Doesn’t that dumb groping child understand this? You give him too much credit. All this yammering about Trump playing 4D chess is ridiculous. He isn’t even playing 2D Tic Tac Toe. Here is the extent of Trump’s decision/policy making process: - something appears on Fox “News” - he tweets about it … end of process. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/9815 "2017-08-12T12:53:42Z")
> [@The\_Tooth](#): > > Right. Forgot for a second that the inside of that head is full of hair as well. I think you mean “hair” ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/9816 "2017-08-12T13:59:19Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Venezuela has threatened us how, exactly? By making their misses’ boobs bigger, so that they don’t fit in his hands :mad: ---
**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:** [August 12, 2017, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/9817 "2017-08-12T14:31:11Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > By making their misses’ boobs bigger, so that they don’t fit in his hands :mad: That didn’t save Melania from a hideous fate. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/9818 "2017-08-12T15:27:45Z")
> [@JackieLikesVariety](#): > > I think you mean “hair” At this point I’m wondering if “head” was the right word too. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/9819 "2017-08-12T16:13:45Z")
> [@El\_Kabong](#): > > I think you know what I mean. You’ll see. You’ll see. > > [/channeling Trump] Why does that phrase keep sounding like Norman Bates ??? ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/9820 "2017-08-12T16:16:21Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I think they have oil. Putin’s oil. ---
**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:** [August 12, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/9821 "2017-08-12T17:46:16Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > Now this could be interesting! Trump’s [secretary](http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/346177-congressional-investigators-look-to-interview-trump-secretary-in) is getting dragged into the investigation. > > First and foremost a good secretary knows every damn thing so if anyone has dirt it will be her. > > Second, she’s kinda pretty so one of the questions is bound to be “can you show me on the doll where Trump touched you?” Never forget Rosemary Woods and the missing 18 minutes. ---
**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:** [August 12, 2017, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/9822 "2017-08-12T20:51:40Z")
> [@dasmoocher](#): > > Article about Bannon’s guy that McMaster forced out of the NSC. > [This NSC ex-staffer’s memo is crazy. Trump’s reaction is more disturbing.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2017/08/11/this-nsc-ex-staffers-memo-is-crazy-trumps-reaction-is-more-disturbing/?tid=pm_pop&utm_term=.70c6f6688ab0) > [@dasmoocher](#): > > Yeah. And why does Trump, jr. have a NSC meno to show his father? He’s supposed to be running the Trump Org. This seems like a potential security violation; why indeed would Don Jr. have access to NSC memos? What’s his security clearance? I’m not finding a definitive answer online, but this article, from three weeks ago, speculates that he has none: > **[Does Donald Trump Jr. Have Security Clearance? He's Not A Government Employee](https://www.bustle.com/p/does-donald-trump-jr-have-security-clearance-hes-not-a-government-employee-72626)** > > Donald Trump Jr. is expected to appear at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, after coming under fire for reportedly attending a meeting with at least two Russian individuals during his father's presidential campaign. At the time of… ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2017, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/9823 "2017-08-12T21:04:15Z")
It wasn’t an NSC memo and it wasn’t classified. It was simply an internal memo that was distributed to people who had been part of campaign and transition staff. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=490) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=492)