# 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:** 554
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2017, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11064 "2017-09-09T23:26:18Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Trump pastor Paula White [bears false witness.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/09/09/trump-pastor-paula-white-the-president-100-percent-is-a-christian-a-person-of-repentance/) Not so much bears false witness as is completely delusional. She’s now an important person because she advises the president in spiritual matters, at least on paper. Of course she’s going to suck his cock for Jesus. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2017, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11065 "2017-09-10T00:53:13Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > I don’t like you. You made me envision DeVos on her hands and knees. Or even just her knees. Hm, sounds like you’d doubtfully be interested in my _Betsy Bukkake IV - (Benwa For Teacher)_ mp3. Oh well - your loss. ETA: I apologize. That should be _(Ball Gag For Teacher)_ ---
**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:** [September 10, 2017, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11066 "2017-09-10T01:45:45Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > The Emir’s got more wives and grabs more pussy, too. I wouldn’t be too sure about that. ---
**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:** [September 10, 2017, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11067 "2017-09-10T02:35:11Z")
There’s a new sheriff in town and his deputy is a lot tougher than my boyfriend Barney Fife. [New White House Chief of Staff Has an Enforcer](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/08/us/politics/john-kelly-white-house.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fpolitics&action=click&contentCollection=politics®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront) > [@](#): > > Lost in the scramble to cope with Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the response to North Korea’s nuclear provocations and the shock at President Trump’s instant alliance with Democrats was a little-noticed bureaucratic earthquake that shook the White House this week. > > At a staff meeting on Wednesday, Mr. Trump’s new chief of staff, John F. Kelly, announced a number of seemingly quotidian internal moves, capped by the appointment of Kirstjen Nielsen — his brusque, no-nonsense longtime aide — as an assistant to the president and his principal deputy. > … > > It is Ms. Nielsen who sends out the emails announcing internal policy and planning meetings that now contain a clipped addendum — “principals only” — with a stern warning that any subordinates who wander in will be immediately ejected. > > She is also responsible for keeping Mr. Kelly’s no-fly list of aides he deems to be unfit to attend serious meetings… > > Throughout the White House, the circle of decision-making is shrinking, leaving staff members accustomed to wandering in and out of meetings — and the Oval Office — in a sour mood. And the feelings are not confined by the gates of the executive compound. Outside Trump advisers, accustomed to getting their calls briskly returned, are complaining that their phones have gone silent since Mr. Kelly took over six weeks ago. > … ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2017, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11068 "2017-09-10T08:02:49Z")
Trump sez; [Hurricane Irma means we need faster tax cuts for the wealthy.](http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/09/politics/trump-irma/index.html) > [@Loser Donald](#): > > I think now, with what’s happened with the hurricane, I’m gonna ask for a speed up. I wanted a speed up anyway, but now we need it even more so. So we need to simplify the tax code, reduce taxes very substantially on the middle class, and make our business tax more globally competitive. We’re the highest anywhere in the world right now. Oh, and of course he spent Friday morning on Twitter whining about the filibuster again; > [@Sad Donald the Failing Loser](#): > > Republicans, sorry, but I’ve been hearing about Repeal & Replace for 7 years, didn’t happen! Even worse, the Senate Filibuster Rule will… …never allow the Republicans to pass even great legislation. 8 Dems control - will rarely get 60 (vs. 51) votes. It is a Repub Death Wish! Republicans must start the Tax Reform/Tax Cut legislation ASAP. Don’t wait until the end of September. Needed now more than ever. Hurry! Somehow he still hasn’t realized that they didn’t even need 60 votes to pass Trumpcare in the first place, or that his vice president can cast a tiebreaking vote so the margin needed is 50 and not 51. Nobody knew arithmetic could be so complicated! ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2017, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11069 "2017-09-10T08:27:48Z")
Recession? Tax cuts! Growth? Tax cuts! High unemployment? Tax cuts! Low unemployment? Tax cuts! Hurricanes is a new one, isn’t it? ---
**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:** [September 10, 2017, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11070 "2017-09-10T08:48:41Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > Recession? Tax cuts! > Growth? Tax cuts! > High unemployment? Tax cuts! > Low unemployment? Tax cuts! > > Hurricanes is a new one, isn’t it? Well, the fool really hasn’t ever been known for his understanding of cause and effect, now has he? Again: Trump, hurry up and die, ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2017, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11071 "2017-09-10T15:32:54Z")
Neuritis, neuralgia, tax cuts. Painful rectal itch, tax cuts! That “not so fresh feeling”, you better believe that’s tax cuts! ---
**Author:** ![Biffster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biffster/32/339_2.png) [@Biffster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffster)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2017, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11072 "2017-09-10T17:20:30Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Neuritis, neuralgia, tax cuts. Painful rectal itch, tax cuts! That “not so fresh feeling”, you better believe that’s tax cuts! Tummy troubles? Tax cuts! Can’t sleep? Tax cuts! Throbbing sensation in your nether regions? Tax cuts tax cuts tax cuts! ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2017, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11073 "2017-09-10T17:30:02Z")
So tax cuts are the RW equivalent of medical cannabis? ---
**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:** [September 10, 2017, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11074 "2017-09-10T17:31:57Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > So tax cuts are the RW equivalent of medical cannabis? They do get high off them. ---
**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:** [September 10, 2017, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11075 "2017-09-10T22:53:47Z")
Want to learn stuff? Want your kids to learn stuff? Well, [fuck you very much](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-09-08/betsy-devos-tells-cfpb-to-back-off-on-student-loans). > [@](#): > > Last week, the Education Department quietly informed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that it would stop sharing critical information on $1.3 trillion of federal student loans, ending a partnership that has let the CFPB sue loan companies and force others to change their practices in the nation’s second-largest household debt market. … “The system is always going to work against the interest of borrowers and toward the interest of the government,” said Bergeron, who retired as the Education Department’s head of postsecondary education in 2013 after more than 30 years there. “The CFPB is a check on that, and a necessary one.” > > To many close observers, a move to cripple the bureau has seemed inevitable. Republican members of Congress for years have tried, without success, to restrict its authority … Congress and the Obama administration created the CFPB in 2010, after the financial crisis, in an effort to crack down on dodgy loan companies and to supervise businesses that had historically operated with little oversight, such as payday lenders and student loan servicers.… The Education Department, meanwhile, hasn’t been penalizing its contracted loan servicers for engaging in the practices the CFPB has tried to change. The department has been consistently criticized over the years by government watchdogs—both its own inspector general and the Government Accountability Office—for what they’ve called its lackluster oversight of its contractors.… (of course, if you are wealthy, and/or have connections, no problem) ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2017, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11076 "2017-09-11T01:01:38Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > There’s a new sheriff in town and his deputy is a lot tougher than my boyfriend Barney Fife. > > [New White House Chief of Staff Has an Enforcer](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/08/us/politics/john-kelly-white-house.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fpolitics&action=click&contentCollection=politics®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront) Ooh! Maybe she can use DeVos’ ball gag on Don. From what I hear, he seems like a Sub (you don’t really believe those Russian hookers were peeing in the _ **bed** _, do you?). And, because I am utterly shallow AND not the first guy in my family to get hung up on a Norwegian woman: [https://pbs.twimg.com/profile\_images/514576803810516992/8RsD3kLY.jpeg](https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/514576803810516992/8RsD3kLY.jpeg) Here she’s giving That Look which inspires fear in the weak and respect in the strong: [https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8619/16434149861\_85e6f46e47\_b.jpg](https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8619/16434149861_85e6f46e47_b.jpg) Heart, be still! Is she married? Because that can be changed. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2017, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11077 "2017-09-11T15:44:30Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > How the hell can you hit someone 40 times in the head with a hammer and not manage to kill them? It is a horrible display of homicidal incompetency! ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2017, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11078 "2017-09-11T17:10:28Z")
It keeps getting better. Trump Appellate Nominee Says **Her Religion Supersedes the Constitution** Creeping theocracy? Slippery slope to Dominionism? The idea that the Constitution is secondary to a judge’s religious belief has been a growing threat for a decade or so, but now that threat is becoming reality. Theocracy-minded evangelicals have infected the government hoping to spread their bastardized version of Christianity like a virus. Amy Coney Barrett does not subscribe to the idea of adhering to long-established legal precedents if they conflict with her religious belief that laws, or High Court rulings “were gross mistakes” because they are not founded on her Christian religion. Barrett is a law professor at the Catholic Notre Dame University and except for serving as a “law clerk” for dead SCOTUS justice Antonin Scalia and appellate Judge Laurence H. Silberman, she has not served as a judge; and she damn well never should. She wrote specifically about the duty of judges to put their faith above the law in an article entitled “Catholic Judges in Capital Cases.” She strongly criticized Justice William Brennan’s statement about faith, in which he said that he took an oath to uphold the law, and that “there isn’t any obligation of our faith superior” to that oath. In response, Barrett wrote: “We do not defend this position as the proper response for a Catholic judge to take with respect to abortion or the death penalty.” No judge, federal or otherwise, can blatantly disregard the only basis for law in the United States, the U.S. Constitution. Barrett claims the law of the land is secondary to a judge’s religious belief. “Amy Coney Barrett is a judicial nominee the likes of which we have rarely seen: a person who believes and has stated that judges can and should put their personal beliefs ahead of the law and Constitution when carrying out their duties. Specifically, Barrett has written that judges should put their religious faith ahead of the law in certain cases. She also has written that judges should not have to abide by precedent if they disagree with how past cases were decided. These views are so contrary to our system of democracy and justice that, in our view, they clearly disqualify her for the federal bench.” Barrett has no right serving in any capacity as a judge. Right Wingers love to scream about Talibans and Sharia Law, but that is a smoke screen, a diversion. They WANT it, but they want THEIR version of it. ---
**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:** [September 11, 2017, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11079 "2017-09-11T18:24:58Z")
> [@MaxTheVool](#): > > In fairness to DeVos (and you know how much I hate being fair to republicans), there’s an interesting story about her on the most recent This American Life. She definitely comes off well on a personal level… she seems to actively believe in the idea of helping out students. She mentored various students personally, … (snip)… That’s like other Republicans who are, say, staunchly against gay rights until a family member comes out. They’ll preach and practice compassion in their personal lives, but are completely devoid of anything close to empathy, or even basic lateral thinking. Underprivileged kids who want secondary education? They’re all societal leeches who get what they deserve (except for this one that I know personally). If DeVos actually cared about students, she wouldn’t be trying to allow predatory lending of poor students, removing protections for sexual assault victims, and weakening education standards to favor special interests that line her pockets. ---
**Author:** ![fervour](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@fervour](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fervour)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11080 "2017-09-11T18:35:25Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > It keeps getting better. > > Trump Appellate Nominee Says **Her Religion Supersedes the Constitution** > > Creeping theocracy? Slippery slope to Dominionism? > > The idea that the Constitution is secondary to a judge’s religious belief has been a growing threat for a decade or so, but now that threat is becoming reality. > > Theocracy-minded evangelicals have infected the government hoping to spread their bastardized version of Christianity like a virus. > > Amy Coney Barrett does not subscribe to the idea of adhering to long-established legal precedents if they conflict with her religious belief that laws, or High Court rulings “were gross mistakes” because they are not founded on her Christian religion. > Barrett is a law professor at the Catholic Notre Dame University and except for serving as a “law clerk” for dead SCOTUS justice Antonin Scalia and appellate Judge Laurence H. Silberman, she has not served as a judge; and she damn well never should. > > She wrote specifically about the duty of judges to put their faith above the law in an article entitled “Catholic Judges in Capital Cases.” > > She strongly criticized Justice William Brennan’s statement about faith, in which he said that he took an oath to uphold the law, and that “there isn’t any obligation of our faith superior” to that oath. In response, Barrett wrote: “We do not defend this position as the proper response for a Catholic judge to take with respect to abortion or the death penalty.” > > No judge, federal or otherwise, can blatantly disregard the only basis for law in the United States, the U.S. Constitution. Barrett claims the law of the land is secondary to a judge’s religious belief. > > “Amy Coney Barrett is a judicial nominee the likes of which we have rarely seen: a person who believes and has stated that judges can and should put their personal beliefs ahead of the law and Constitution when carrying out their duties. Specifically, Barrett has written that judges should put their religious faith ahead of the law in certain cases. She also has written that judges should not have to abide by precedent if they disagree with how past cases were decided. These views are so contrary to our system of democracy and justice that, in our view, they clearly disqualify her for the federal bench.” > > Barrett has no right serving in any capacity as a judge. > > Right Wingers love to scream about Talibans and Sharia Law, but that is a smoke screen, a diversion. They WANT it, but they want THEIR version of it. Do you have kids, SteveG1? If you don’t, it doesn’t matter. You are going to be as dead as me in a few years. Everything that you did will be judged. I’m guessing you made a difference. You mattered. Don’t be so angry. You mattered to me. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2017, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11081 "2017-09-11T19:02:10Z")
> [@fervour](#): > > Do you have kids, SteveG1? If you don’t, it doesn’t matter. You are going to be as dead as me in a few years. Everything that you did will be judged. I’m guessing you made a difference. You mattered. Don’t be so angry. You mattered to me. 😕 On behalf of all the participants in this thread, I would just like to say: wat ---
**Author:** ![MindsEye\_Watering](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mindseye_watering/32/3619_2.png) [@MindsEye\_Watering](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MindsEye_Watering)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2017, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11082 "2017-09-11T19:14:54Z")
> [@fervour](#): > > Everything that you did will be judged By who? An invisible sky fairy? A pink unicorn? The Flying Spaghetti Monster? What? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Miskatonic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.miskatonic/32/310_2.png) [@Mr.Miskatonic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Miskatonic)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2017, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/11083 "2017-09-11T19:21:47Z")
Finster, the nose-picking squeal god. or Ogg, Ogg’s a good diety. He smashes good. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=553) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=555)