# 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:** 74
**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:** [February 18, 2017, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1461 "2017-02-18T04:47:04Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > Since you apparently know it already, why should I bother? Surprise us. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2017, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1462 "2017-02-18T05:02:08Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > You did fill out the [**Mainstream Media Accountability Survey**](https://www.donaldjtrump.com/lp/mainstream-media-accountability-survey) today, DIDN’T YOU? > > **Sieg Heil, Mein Fuehrer!** That poll is… I don’t know. It’s something, all right. “On which issues does the mainstream media do the worst job of representing Republicans? (Select as many that apply.)” You’d see that question on a Gallup poll, right? Totally professional. “Do you believe that contrary to what the media says, raising taxes does not create jobs?” That took me a minute to parse. Taking out the misdirection toward the media and rewriting it to avoid an unnecessary negative construction, the question could be phrased more clearly as, “Do you believe raising taxes creates jobs?” And that is still a _fucking useless question_. Which taxes? Raised how much? In what circumstances? With the revenue used for what? I mean, sure, a tax _by itself_ doesn’t stimulate job growth. But take tax revenue and, say, build a dam with it, then yeah I guess you’ll create 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:** [February 18, 2017, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1463 "2017-02-18T05:13:54Z")
It may be fitting if Trump upgraded his current Moscow–Washington hotline with [this device](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/adolf-hitler-phone-found-in-berlin-bunker-up-for-auction/). ---
**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:** [February 18, 2017, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1464 "2017-02-18T05:19:40Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > Since you apparently know it already, why should I bother? Fail. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2017, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1465 "2017-02-18T05:26:29Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > The use of American troops for domestic law enforcement is strictly forbidden. That would be a serious violation of the Posse Comitatus Act Not that I want to defend the current administration… but both [Obama and Bush](http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/26/us/26border.html) deployed the National Guard along the southern border. During the Bush deployment > [@](#): > > Those Guard troops contributed to the arrest of more than 162,000 illegal immigrants, the rescue of 100 people stranded in the desert and the seizure of $69,000 in cash and 305,000 pounds of illicit drugs. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2017, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1466 "2017-02-18T05:34:27Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > It may be fitting if Trump upgraded his current Moscow–Washington hotline with [this device](http://www.cbsnews.com/news/adolf-hitler-phone-found-in-berlin-bunker-up-for-auction/). What? You don’t think the Trump administration’s obvious use of the [Cone of Silence](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cone_of_Silence_(device)) is working out well? ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2017, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1467 "2017-02-18T05:37:55Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > You did fill out the [**Mainstream Media Accountability Survey**](https://www.donaldjtrump.com/lp/mainstream-media-accountability-survey) today, DIDN’T YOU? > > **Sieg Heil, Mein Fuehrer!** Wait. That’s fake correct? That has to be satire. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2017, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1468 "2017-02-18T05:46:47Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > Wait. That’s fake correct? That has to be satire. Sorry **enipla** , [read it and weep](http://www.npr.org/2017/02/17/515791540/the-trump-media-survey-is-phenomenally-biased-it-also-does-its-job-well). ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2017, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1469 "2017-02-18T06:09:53Z")
> [@Little\_Pig](#): > > Sorry **enipla** , [read it and weep](http://www.npr.org/2017/02/17/515791540/the-trump-media-survey-is-phenomenally-biased-it-also-does-its-job-well). Uh. Thanks. Holy shit. I can’t get to the page that calls/loads that… thing (my connection is going to be slow for a few days). Bayard ^ managed to parse question #14. I think. Sheesss. And what is this about their (Trump’s/GOP) ‘Movement’. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2017, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1470 "2017-02-18T07:32:36Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > …“On which issues does the mainstream media do the worst job of representing Republicans? (Select as many that apply.)”… I was gob=smacked by exactly that question, and was on my way to post my disdain and dismay. Great minds think alike, twisted minds as well, it would seem. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2017, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1471 "2017-02-18T08:07:23Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > What? You don’t think the Trump administration’s obvious use of the [Cone of Silence](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cone_of_Silence_(device)) is working out well? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2017, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1472 "2017-02-18T12:41:15Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > It was the AP fake story that suggested it. Here is the first line of the linked story: “The Trump administration is considering a proposal to mobilize as many as 100,000 National Guard troops to round up unauthorized immigrants, including millions living nowhere near the Mexico border, according to a draft memo obtained by The Associated Press.” What is fake about that? I get it. You don’t like the clickbait headline of “Trump mobilizes” (I don’t either, but there you go) but, as I said before, you’re missing the actual substance of the story. Dismissing the story as fake is just sloppy thinking. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2017, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1473 "2017-02-18T12:54:41Z")
I’m starting to think that what I hate the most about Trump is that he’s making me agree with Jennifer Rubin. Rubin, of all people! She’s never been right in her life. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2017, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1474 "2017-02-18T13:03:51Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > Not that I want to defend the current administration… but both [Obama and Bush](http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/26/us/26border.html) deployed the National Guard along the southern border. > > During the Bush deployment From that lnk: > [@](#): > > The soldiers will not directly make arrests of border crossers and smugglers, something they are not trained to do. From the memo: > [@](#): > > I am directing the Commissioner of CPB and the Director of ICE to …enter into agreements … to authorize qualified members of the State National Guard…to perform the functions of an immigration officer in relation to the investigation, **apprehension, and detention** of aliens in the United States. That looks like a significant difference. I’m not clear on which law prohibits National Guard troops from engaging in such activities, though (I thought it might be Posse Comitatus, but it doesn’t look like it is). ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2017, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1475 "2017-02-18T14:19:51Z")
Even Petraeus seems to be aware of the shit sandwich. Former CIA chief David Petraeus has dropped out of consideration for the post for the new National Security Advisor. > **[Trump Scrambles To Find Top National Security Aide](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-scrambles-to-find-top-national-security-aide_n_58a7d054e4b037d17d2820bc?ynct0hlutobn75jyvi=)** > > Trump won't guarantee that his next top security aide will have full staffing control. ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2017, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1476 "2017-02-18T15:29:36Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > Even Petraeus seems to be aware of the shit sandwich. > > Former CIA chief David Petraeus has dropped out of consideration for the post for the new National Security Advisor. > > [Trump Scrambles To Find Top National Security Aide | HuffPost Latest News](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-scrambles-to-find-top-national-security-aide_us_58a7d054e4b037d17d2820bc?ynct0hlutobn75jyvi&) These rats aren’t just abandoning the sinking ship, they’re refusing to board at the docks. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2017, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1477 "2017-02-18T17:07:36Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > Even Petraeus seems to be aware of the shit sandwich. > > Former CIA chief David Petraeus has dropped out of consideration for the post for the new National Security Advisor. > > [Trump Scrambles To Find Top National Security Aide | HuffPost Latest News](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-scrambles-to-find-top-national-security-aide_us_58a7d054e4b037d17d2820bc?ynct0hlutobn75jyvi&) That’s too bad. When I think of intelligence officials who embody integrity, honesty, and professionalism, Petraeus is right at the top of the list. You wouldn’t expect him to break the law and lie about it like Flynn. It’s a shame that Trump can’t get quality candidates lie that to sign on. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2017, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1478 "2017-02-18T18:19:21Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > Even Petraeus seems to be aware of the shit sandwich. > > Former CIA chief David Petraeus has dropped out of consideration for the post for the new National Security Advisor. > > [Trump Scrambles To Find Top National Security Aide | HuffPost Latest News](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-scrambles-to-find-top-national-security-aide_us_58a7d054e4b037d17d2820bc?ynct0hlutobn75jyvi&) Isn’t that the same General Petraeus, who got in hot water for sharing secret info with his girlfriend (the writer)? But still the fact that he said “NO” speaks well for him. ---
**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:** [February 18, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1479 "2017-02-18T18:23:42Z")
> [@SteveG1](#): > > Isn’t that the same General Petraeus, who got in hot water for sharing secret info with his girlfriend (the writer)? > > But still the fact that he said “NO” speaks well for him. [CNN](http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/30/politics/david-petraeus-donald-trump-secretary-of-state-probation-officer/) (from when he was being considered for SecState) > [@](#): > > If President-elect Donald Trump taps former Gen. David Petraeus to be his secretary of state, Petraeus has three days to notify his probation officer about his new job. **He also needs to tell the probation officer before he leaves North Carolina – and his work travel would have to be approved by his probation officer, too.** > Petraeus, once a widely celebrated military leader who oversaw operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, was sentenced on **April 23, 2015, to serve two years of probation** and pay a $100,000 fine for sharing classified information with his biographer and lover, Paula Broadwell. He may not have had a choice. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2017, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1480 "2017-02-18T18:46:49Z")
Aw, they changed the media survey. The first version I did had the ability to answer Other to all the questions and fill in your thoughts. Actually, you could answer anything (select Yes, No, No Opinion OR other) and still fill in that little “Other field.” And I did. Oh yes, I did. I imagine a lot of people did and that’s what they took that field away. Sad! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=73) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=75)