# 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:** 615
**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:** [October 13, 2017, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12284 "2017-10-13T02:59:12Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke has his own special flag staff on the roof of the Department’s headquarters building. When he comes to the building, a special aide climbs to the roof and raises the Department flag. When he leaves the building, the aide goes and takes it down. If he’s out of town, the flag stays down and only goes back up when he returns. > [Where’s Zinke? The interior secretary’s special flag offers clues. - The Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/wheres-zinke-the-interior-secretarys-special-flag-offers-clues/2017/10/12/68672476-aeb2-11e7-9e58-e6288544af98_story.html)? > [@](#): > > Responding this week to questions from The Washington Post, a spokeswoman for Zinke, a former Navy SEAL commander, **defended the Navy flag-flying tradition as “a major sign of transparency.”** > > “Ryan Zinke is proud and honored to lead the Department of the Interior, and is restoring honor and tradition to the department, **whether it’s flying the flag when he is in garrison** or restoring traditional access to public lands,” press secretary Heather Swift said in an email. I’m stunned that Trump allows an ego bigger than his own. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12285 "2017-10-13T03:10:04Z")
Somebody should point out to this prima Donna that he’s Secretary of the Interior. Not even Secretary of State or Defense. _Interior_. Like, number 14 in line succession. ---
**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:** [October 13, 2017, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12286 "2017-10-13T03:13:59Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Somebody should point out to this prima Donna that he’s Secretary of the Interior. Not even Secretary of State or Defense. _Interior_. Like, **number 14 in line succession.** [8th](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_line_of_succession#Successions_beyond_Vice_President) Rick " I Don’t Know Nothin’ About The Agency I Want To Eliminate" Perry is 14th. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12287 "2017-10-13T03:36:10Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke has his own special flag staff on the roof of the Department’s headquarters building. When he comes to the building, a special aide climbs to the roof and raises the Department flag. When he leaves the building, the aide goes and takes it down. If he’s out of town, the flag stays down and only goes back up when he returns. > [Where’s Zinke? The interior secretary’s special flag offers clues. - The Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/wheres-zinke-the-interior-secretarys-special-flag-offers-clues/2017/10/12/68672476-aeb2-11e7-9e58-e6288544af98_story.html)? Sorry, I can’t be to outraged about this (not that I am lacking in outrage, mind you, about the title thread clusterfuck). When I worked for the U.S. Army (civilian), there was usually two flags flying out front of HQ, one with one-star and the other with two, representing the Commanding General and his Deputy Commander. If the flag wasn’t up, you know the General was not on post. I can’t say that it is in the regulations for all the services, but given that Zinke came from a military background, it is not an unheard-of thing. There are plenty of mountains to assault within the Trump-o-sphere; this amounts to a molehill. IMHO as always. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12288 "2017-10-13T03:41:23Z")
That’s fine and dandy for the military, SSR. But we’re talking about a civil servant. He doesn’t have gold braid, or epaulets, or decorations on his chest; people don’t salute when he comes into the room. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12289 "2017-10-13T03:56:20Z")
jsc, fair points, but all he is doing (from what I can see) is letting people know if he is in the office or not that day and he’s doing it using a system that he probably learned while in the service. It might have a hint of hubris about it, but I simply can’t see it as a big deal. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12290 "2017-10-13T03:57:09Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > That’s fine and dandy for the military, SSR. But we’re talking about a civil servant. He doesn’t have gold braid, or epaulets, or decorations on his chest; people don’t salute when he comes into the room. yet… ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12291 "2017-10-13T07:41:05Z")
I have to wonder if he’s the only person in the Department who’s allowed to write anything in green ink. And if he only identifies himself by his initials, saving the use of his full name for situations in which he is under duress by enemy combatants who have captured him. ---
**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:** [October 13, 2017, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12292 "2017-10-13T10:17:54Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > jsc, fair points, but all he is doing (from what I can see) is letting people know if he is in the office or not that day and he’s doing it using a system that he probably learned while in the service. It might have a hint of hubris about it, but I simply can’t see it as a big deal. I agree with this, but at the same time … who is walking up to the building for a meeting with Zinke and checking the flag-staff to make sure he’s in? It’s just another chunk of ridiculous tradition that many people seem to cling to. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12293 "2017-10-13T10:53:28Z")
> [@Crybaby\_Boobie](#): > > He went to a military high school, didn’t he? And today he’s all “You can’t make me do that any more! Nyah Nyah!!” ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 1:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12294 "2017-10-13T13:01:35Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke has his own special flag staff on the roof of the Department’s headquarters building. When he comes to the building, a special aide climbs to the roof and raises the Department flag. When he leaves the building, the aide goes and takes it down. If he’s out of town, the flag stays down and only goes back up when he returns. > [Where’s Zinke? The interior secretary’s special flag offers clues. - The Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/wheres-zinke-the-interior-secretarys-special-flag-offers-clues/2017/10/12/68672476-aeb2-11e7-9e58-e6288544af98_story.html)? He should have flags for other special occasions: 1. _For when Sec. Zinke takes a charter/military flight:_ A sky blue banner depicting a jet plane dropping a stream of thousand-dollar bills into a toilet. 2. _For when Sec. Zinke confers with industry bigwigs:_ A green banner with gold lettering reading “FOR SALE”. 3. _For when Sec. Zinke metes out punishment for whistle-blowing:_ A blood red banner depicting a figure with a large knife sticking out of its back. ---
**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:** [October 13, 2017, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12295 "2017-10-13T13:58:35Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > whether it’s flying the flag when he is in \*\*garrison \*\* > > I’m stunned that Trump allows an ego bigger than his own. I guess he’s a military guy originally, but the Department of the Interior building is in no way a ‘garrison’. Also, apparently if he is not in the building, but his #2 is, there is a special flag to indicate that also. ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12296 "2017-10-13T14:02:12Z")
I just changed my mind about the Trump administration. Because Steven Mnuchin just took the time to e-mail me personally! Apparently loser international governments have been keeping my money and keeping America from being great again! But Stevie has been strong and fought for me! So I’m going to receive $19’500,000.00 - yes Nineteen Million Five Hindred Thousand Dollars! As soon as I send my personal info to Stevie. Make America Great Again!! US DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 1500 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20220 I am Steven Mnuchin the Secretary of the US Department of the Treasury. The executive agency responsible for promoting economic prosperity and ensuring the financial security of the United States. COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN PAYMENT RESOLUTION PANEL ON WITHHELD PAYMENTS You are being contacted today because you have not received your funds and we want to advise you on the status of your funds payment case. It was a decision that favored you in getting your funds back from international banks withholding your funds. Although you are hearing from us for the first time, we have been working very hard for beneficiaries and making progress on our research on why international banks had failed to fully credit funds to international beneficiaries account. We have also taken time to review unsuccessful transactions with most international inheritance / contract insurance companies and other foreign banks especially in Africa, Asia and the United Kingdom. We wish to let you know that we have communicated with most of these foreign bank institutions withholding most international payments to individuals and companies only to find out why these funds were withheld, the source of the funds and the final solution to this problem. We have concluded that we have found that most of the funds are from international funds, and that international funds have been awarded to international funds. As such, transfer suspension was placed on these funds because most of these international funds remittance / transfer were not properly recorded by the paying institution for future file reference / assessment by the International Monetary Fund and the Financial Services Authority. Presently, your ongoing transaction in which you will gain full assistance from your case and make sure that you receive your accrued funds on compliance will be on full effect in your favor as long as you have complied with the Order of Court Dialogue in which we are presently trying to get your funds payment case. In joint alliance with the Financial Services Authority to resolve this issue, we wish to know that we have been approved to assist you in receiving your awarded funds but only the total sum of Nineteen Million, Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars ($ 19,500,000.00 USD ). We have gone through the security manifesto booklet of all international outstanding transactions and our extensive investigation confirmed that you are the beneficiary of this fund through the assistance of the International Criminal Police Organization (ICPO) to investigate and release suspended withheld funds to its beneficiaries account abroad (IMF) which stated that your funds will be paid to you on the proper confirmation of your claim. We would like to inform you that there is an existing arrangement with United Nations Federal Credit Union (UNFCU) in New York to process and pay you the outstanding debt of $ 19,500,000.00 USD as soon as you provide the complete requirements fund payment case. This was resolved in a meeting held between the International Financial Auditors in Europe and our American representatives. Contact: Name: John Spatola UNFCU Financial Advisors, LLC. United Nations Federal Credit Union. Contact him with below details. - A scanned copy of your ID or driver’s license: - Your direct mobile telephone number Your nominated Bank Account information will be requested for transfer of your funds after confirmation of your funds claims file by the processing officer. By virtue of the provision of the law which confer on us powers to advocate, adjudicate, suspend and authorize an immediate transfer of funds internationally, we hereby state emphatically and without prejudice that there should be any information that may succeed your application for unclaimed funds release that are currently deposited in most foreign banks in Europe, Asia and in Africa, please do not hesitate to provide the information so we can help you in getting your funds. Also note that failure to properly apply for the funds will nullify your chances of receiving your unclaimed funds and funds will be diverted into the government treasury. Regards, Steven Mnuchin Secretary, US Department of the Treasury. ---
**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:** [October 13, 2017, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12297 "2017-10-13T14:04:04Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > I guess he’s a military guy originally, but the Department of the Interior building is in no way a ‘garrison’. > > Also, **apparently if he is not in the building, but his #2 is** , there is a special flag to indicate that also. He’s not housebroken? ---
**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:** [October 13, 2017, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12298 "2017-10-13T14:05:41Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > Contact: > > Name: John Spatola > UNFCU Financial Advisors, LLC. > **United Nations Federal Credit Union.** That’s something Trump would say. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Bredin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/96bed5/32.png) [@John\_Bredin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Bredin)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12299 "2017-10-13T14:12:13Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > He’s not housebroken? He’s just being consistent in his position that job creators must be allowed to dispose of waste wherever it suits them, even in a public space. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12300 "2017-10-13T14:55:13Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > I agree with this, but at the same time … who is walking up to the building for a meeting with Zinke and checking the flag-staff to make sure he’s in? It’s just another chunk of ridiculous tradition that many people seem to cling to. Yes, it’s a silly tradition. So are White House state dinners and the like. But traditions are okay. A lack of respect for tradition is what got us fucking Donald Trump. And this tradition doesn’t cost us anything. Let Zinke have his stupid flag (though by Og if I see any more references to him being “in garrison” when he’s in his fucking office I will be calling for his head too). If nothing else, it keeps one of the department’s staffers too busy to sell off more public land. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12301 "2017-10-13T15:01:59Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > There are plenty of mountains to assault within the Trump-o-sphere; this amounts to a molehill. You need things to mock and laugh at to relieve what would otherwise be endless outrage and horror. ---
**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:** [October 13, 2017, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12302 "2017-10-13T15:23:47Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Yes, it’s a silly tradition. So are White House state dinners and the like. But traditions are okay. A lack of respect for tradition is what got us fucking Donald Trump. And this tradition doesn’t cost us anything. > > Let Zinke have his stupid flag (though by Og if I see any more references to him being “in garrison” when he’s in his fucking office I will be calling for his head too). If nothing else, it keeps one of the department’s staffers too busy to sell off more public land. Yes, there are more important things - but this is in no way a ‘tradition’ at Interior. And even if some previous secretary had done this (cite?), I’d bet a dinner at McDonald’s (bacon McDouble for $2, fries and a drink) that no #2 has ever had or flown a personal flag. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2017, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/12303 "2017-10-13T15:36:29Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a long list where Nixon is the least reprehensible person on it. Personally, I’d consider George W. Bush as less reprehensible, though thoroughly incompetent. Even there, W. is still far more competent than what we are currently suffering through. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=614) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=616)