# 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:** 659
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13165 "2017-11-03T15:58:24Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > And we’re back to [the head twit wanting Hillary and the DNC investigated, threatening to fire Sessions for inaction](https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2017-11-03/trump-say-american-public-deserves-clinton-investigation). In other news, is OJ still looking for the real killer? ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13166 "2017-11-03T16:09:09Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > And we’re back to [the head twit wanting Hillary and the DNC investigated, threatening to fire Sessions for inaction](https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2017-11-03/trump-say-american-public-deserves-clinton-investigation). Is there a thread discussing Hillary and the DNC, dispassionately and Trump-free? If not, maybe I’ll start one. (Hijack momentarily to say:way to go, DWS. You put your thumb on the scale for the only person in America who could lose to Donald Trump.) ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13167 "2017-11-03T17:01:34Z")
The shitgibbon is headed out for the longest presidential trip to Asia since Bush the First, which memorably ended with him horking vomit into the lap of the Japanese Prime Minister and then fainting. And that was the _smart_ Bush. God knows what Trump will do to top _that._ ---
**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:** [November 3, 2017, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13168 "2017-11-03T17:20:52Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Is there a thread discussing Hillary and the DNC, dispassionately and Trump-free? Try [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=840619). ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13169 "2017-11-03T17:26:11Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > The shitgibbon is headed out for the longest presidential trip to Asia since Bush the First, which memorably ended with him horking vomit into the lap of the Japanese Prime Minister and then fainting. > > And that was the _smart_ Bush. God knows what Trump will do to top _that._ Peeing hookers? ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13170 "2017-11-03T17:35:32Z")
Well, his people were at least smart enough to nix his idea to go to the Korean DMZ. Personally, amid all the terrifying ideas about what could possibly happen with that, I thought it would be a genuine(ly surreal) opportunity for Kim Jong-Un to surprise him by walking out from the other side of JSA conference room to greet him. THAT would have made headlines around the world! Instant unplanned summit. ---
**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:** [November 3, 2017, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13171 "2017-11-03T17:42:45Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > And that was the _smart_ Bush. The one for whom a building in Langley is called the “George Bush Center for Intelligence”? ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Greenjeans](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mr.greenjeans/32/551_2.png) [@Mr.Greenjeans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Greenjeans)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13172 "2017-11-03T17:46:48Z")
> [@Ukulele\_Ike](#): > > The shitgibbon is headed out for the longest presidential trip to Asia since Bush the First, which memorably ended with him horking vomit into the lap of the Japanese Prime Minister and then fainting. Before fainting, I wonder if he managed to cop a feel. ---
**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:** [November 3, 2017, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13173 "2017-11-03T17:51:39Z")
> [@Mr.Greenjeans](#): > > Before fainting, I wonder if he managed to cop a feel. It would have been awfully…moist. ---
**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:** [November 3, 2017, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13174 "2017-11-03T20:25:02Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Welp. There goes the Orange Menace. Off to start a land war in Asia. And to meet with his butt buddy, Putin, apparently. When asked about all of the unfilled State Department positions, Trump said, “I’m the only one that matters”. > **['I'm The Only One That Matters,' Trump Says Of State Dept. Job Vacancies](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/11/03/561797675/im-the-only-one-that-matters-trump-says-of-state-dept-job-vacancies?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=politics&utm_medium=social&utm_term=nprnews)** > > Asked about key diplomatic posts, the president says, "I'm the only one that matters, because when it comes to it, that's what the policy is going to be. You've seen that." ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2017, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13175 "2017-11-03T21:31:20Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > Peeing hookers? The Golden Shower of Hits just keeps coming… ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13176 "2017-11-04T00:20:56Z")
I find the excerpt from a radio interview with WMAL quite terrifying (because I fear he might actually get away with it). Article about it [here](https://www.lawfareblog.com/saddest-thing-president-trump-acknowledges-constraint). > [@Donald J. Trump](#): > > **But you know, the saddest thing is, because I am the President of the United States, I am not supposed to be involved with the Justice Department. I’m not supposed to be involved with the FBI. I’m not supposed to be doing the kind of things I would love to be doing and I am very frustrated by it.** I look at what’s happening with the Justice Department, why aren’t they going after Hillary Clinton with her emails and with her dossier, and the kind of money… I don’t know, is it possible that they paid $12.4 million for the dossier…which is total phony, fake, fraud and how is it used? \*\*It’s very discouraging to me. I’ll be honest, I’m very unhappy with it, \*\*that the Justice Department isn’t going…maybe they are but you know as President, and I think you understand this, \*\*as a President you’re not supposed to be involved in that process. \*\*But hopefully they are doing something and at some point, maybe we are going to all have it out (emphasis added). ---
**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:** [November 4, 2017, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13177 "2017-11-04T00:59:07Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > I find the excerpt from a radio interview with WMAL quite terrifying (because I fear he might actually get away with it). Article about it [here](https://www.lawfareblog.com/saddest-thing-president-trump-acknowledges-constraint). Jesus. Henry. Christ. The President of the United States has never heard of [Separation of Powers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_powers). > [@](#): > > The principle of separation of powers states that the executive, legislative, and judiciary powers of government should be divided into different branches and not concentrated in one. The intent is to prevent the concentration of power and provide for checks and balances. And if you asked him to define the phrase “checks and balances,” he’d probably say, “I have so much money, I never have to balance my check book.” :smack: I’m curious: in what elementary school grade is the subject of Separation of Powers introduced? ---
**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:** [November 4, 2017, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13178 "2017-11-04T01:10:31Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Jesus. Henry. Christ. > > The President of the United States has never heard of [Separation of Powers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_powers). > And if you asked him to define the phrase “checks and balances,” he’d probably say, “I have so much money, I never have to balance my check book.” :smack: > > I’m curious: in what elementary school grade is the subject of Separation of Powers introduced? Since Trump is still a kindergartner, he hasn’t had those lessons. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13179 "2017-11-04T01:19:43Z")
Well, many wanted a businessman to run the country. They just forgot that in business, the CEO gets to decide. I guess we have a real decider now. Plus we have one who never had to deal with a Board of directors. God help us… ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13180 "2017-11-04T01:30:14Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I’m curious: in what elementary school grade is the subject of Separation of Powers introduced? Can you explain how the President not interfering with the Justice Department of the Executive Branch involves the Separation of Powers as delineated in the Constitution? ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13181 "2017-11-04T01:32:25Z")
Yet another chilling bit, this time from Michael Hayden, former NSA and CIA. He considers the USA to be the biggest threat we face. At a recent panel discussion, moderated by current Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI) Sue Gordon, with four previous directors of the CIA: William Webster, Porter Goss, Mike Hayden and John Brennan. > [@Lawfare](#): > > PDDNI Sue Gordon asked each of the former directors to comment on what they saw as the most pressing threat or issue facing the U.S. today. She probably expected some variation of answers that might have included the nuclear threat posed by North Korea, a rising Russia or China, or international terrorism. Even climate change would have been within the realm. Instead, this is what she got from Hayden > [@Michael Hayden](#): > > …I am going to be very candid, Sue, with regard to what it is I would worry about now? Us. Okay? Not CIA, us. The United States, us. I have been saying, for the last several months, the most disruptive element in the world today, is the United States. It’s not because we are being aggressive or we’ve got legions ready to cross borders, or anything like that. But we are in a massive transition globally. We have assumed a particular and peculiar role for the last 75 years. The foundation on which that role was based - Bretton Woods and all that – is eroding, and the rest of the world is simply looking at us and saying, so where are you guys on 2.0? Because, 1.0 you created, and you sustained, and now they are asking what is it you view your role to be, and until that question is answered, I do think that the globe is in a whole lot of white water, until we answer that question. Lawfare piece [here](https://www.lawfareblog.com/mike-hayden-most-disruptive-element-world-today). Tonight, Hayden was interviewed on [All Things Considered](http://www.npr.org/2017/11/03/561952435/former-cia-head-greatest-force-for-instability-in-world-is-u-s). ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13182 "2017-11-04T01:44:09Z")
Isn’t Hayden the guy who said waterboarding isn’t torture? Fuck that guy. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13183 "2017-11-04T01:52:11Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Yet another chilling bit, this time from Michael Hayden, former NSA and CIA. He considers the USA to be the biggest threat we face. > > At a recent panel discussion, moderated by current Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI) Sue Gordon, with four previous directors of the CIA: William Webster, Porter Goss, Mike Hayden and John Brennan. > > Lawfare piece [here](https://www.lawfareblog.com/mike-hayden-most-disruptive-element-world-today). Tonight, Hayden was interviewed on [All Things Considered](http://www.npr.org/2017/11/03/561952435/former-cia-head-greatest-force-for-instability-in-world-is-u-s). He’s not the only retired high-brass with concerns. Admiral Mike Mullen had a few concerns as well: > **[Americans' Trust in Generals Problematic: Former Joint Chiefs Chairman](https://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/10/05/americans-trust-generals-problematic-ex-joint-chiefs-chairman.html)** > > Mullen said the way the nation is turning to these generals betrays a tendency not inherently American. > [@](#): > > “The question that I ask is how did we get here, to a point where we are depending on retired generals for the stability of our citizenry,” he said. “And what happens if that boulder breaks, first of all, and when.” > [@](#): > > “I have been in too many countries globally where the generals, if you will, gave great comfort to their citizens,” Mullen said. “That is not the United States of America. It may be temporarily now; I can only hope that it won’t be in the future. And despite each one of these individuals’ greatness, there are limits.” > [@](#): > > In addition, he said, experience on the battlefield does not translate directly to leadership in the political sphere. > > “When I walked into the Oval Office for the first time, that is an environment I’d never been in before, ever,” Mullen said. “… There is no reason these individuals, who are exceptionally good, had any better preparation in that regard. They are trying to figure it out as we go.” > > Recent press reports, he said, have called the generals the “bulwark” of the administration. > > “And one of the questions is, will that bulwark last, and what happens if and when it doesn’t,” Mullen said. “My own belief is, it won’t.” ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2017, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/13184 "2017-11-04T02:02:55Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > Jesus. Henry. Christ. > > The President of the United States has never heard of [Separation of Powers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_powers). > And if you asked him to define the phrase “checks and balances,” he’d probably say, “I have so much money, I never have to balance my check book.” :smack: > > I’m curious: in what elementary school grade is the subject of Separation of Powers introduced? There is a large contingent in this country that doesn’t care about checks and balances. The Trump presidency didn’t come from outer space. It’s a home-grown phenomenon. He, like Bernie Sanders, was a disruptor candidate in an age in which people demanded disruption. The people voted for disruption. Now we live with the consequences. This is irreversible. We’re heading into hell. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=658) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=660)