# 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:** 81
**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:** [February 26, 2017, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1601 "2017-02-26T20:29:18Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Trump stupidity is rubbing off on Pence > [That’s Not the Israeli Flag, Vice President Pence](http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/news/a53431/israeli-flag-pence/) Yeah, they seem to have [a problem with flags](http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/320997-cpac-attendees-seen-waiving-russian-flags). ---
**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 26, 2017, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1602 "2017-02-26T20:39:56Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > Yeah, they seem to have [a problem with flags](http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/320997-cpac-attendees-seen-waiving-russian-flags). And remember that Kaine’s Blue Star Family pin was mistaken for the Honduras flag. If I remember, there was another incident of mistaken flags by the Cheeto bunch. ---
**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:** [February 26, 2017, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1603 "2017-02-26T22:59:22Z")
> [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](#): > > You should be careful, she has already sued to protect her image. I’m not worried. In no way am I impugning Melania’s ability. I feel confident she can take it all in like a pro. ---
**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:** [February 26, 2017, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1604 "2017-02-26T23:05:29Z")
Reports just coming out now are Sean Spicer called in staffers and started checking phones to try to find who all is leaking info. Then he warned them not to leak details about this anti-leak meeting. And this was promptly leaked. ---
**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 26, 2017, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1605 "2017-02-26T23:07:37Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Reports just coming out now are Sean Spicer called in staffers and started checking phones to try to find who all is leaking info. Then he warned them not to leak details about this anti-leak meeting. And this was promptly leaked. And it never occurred to him (or The Usual Gang Of Idiots) that the leakers will just erase the record of each specific call. ---
**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:** [February 26, 2017, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1606 "2017-02-26T23:08:06Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > And it never occurred to him (or The Usual Gang Of Idiots) that the leakers will just erase the record of each specific call. You’d need half a brain for that. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2017, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1607 "2017-02-26T23:27:43Z")
Say, where is Trump’s most excellent super secret plan to defeat ISIS? Wasn’t it supposed to be all ready in 30 days? 30 days is up. Does the plan to defeat ISIS involve spending piles of taxpayer money so Trump can golf at his personal resort? ---
**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:** [February 26, 2017, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1608 "2017-02-26T23:35:26Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Say, where is Trump’s most excellent super secret plan to defeat ISIS? Wasn’t it supposed to be all ready in 30 days? 30 days is up. > > Does the plan to defeat ISIS involve spending piles of taxpayer money so Trump can golf at his personal resort? Speaking of Isis, the father of the soldier killed in that recent raid is coming out and publicly lambasting Trump. Demands to know why there needed to be a boots-on-the-ground mission now when drones were just fine previously. Is accusing Trump of killing his son just to flex some muscles. ---
**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 26, 2017, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1609 "2017-02-26T23:55:40Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Speaking of Isis, the father of the soldier killed in that recent raid is coming out and publicly lambasting Trump. Demands to know why there needed to be a boots-on-the-ground mission now when drones were just fine previously. Is accusing Trump of killing his son just to flex some muscles. Accusing or making an accurate observation? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1610 "2017-02-27T00:09:47Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Speaking of Isis, the father of the soldier killed in that recent raid is coming out and publicly lambasting Trump. Demands to know why there needed to be a boots-on-the-ground mission now when drones were just fine previously. Is accusing Trump of killing his son just to flex some muscles. > [@Monty](#): > > Accusing or making an accurate observation? Perhaps a distinction without a difference?[ > [@Bill Owens](#): > > I want an investigation. The government owes my son an investigation. > [@Bill Owens](#): > > I told them I didn’t want to make a scene about it, but my conscience wouldn’t let me talk to him. Why at this time did there have to be this stupid mission when it wasn’t even barely a week into his administration? Why? For two years prior, there were no boots on the ground in Yemen — everything was missiles and drones — because there was not a target worth one American life. Now, all of a sudden we had to make this grand display? ]([http://bigstory.ap.org/article/390c15c8f698428487b6f0bf2db88e39/father-dead-navy-seal-refused-meet-trump-ceremony](http://bigstory.ap.org/article/390c15c8f698428487b6f0bf2db88e39/father-dead-navy-seal-refused-meet-trump-ceremony))[ > [@](#): > > Trump administration officials have called the mission a success, saying they had seized important intelligence information. They have also criticized detractors of the raid, saying those who question its success dishonor Ryan Owens’ memory. > > His father, however, believes just the opposite. > > “Don’t hide behind my son’s death to prevent an investigation,” said the elder Owens, pointing to Trump’s sharp words directed at the mission’s critics, including Sen. John McCain. > > “I want an investigation. … The government owes my son an investigation,” he said. ]([http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article135064074.html](http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article135064074.html)) ---
**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:** [February 27, 2017, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1611 "2017-02-27T00:22:12Z")
Now it’s being announced Trump’s pick for Navy Secretary is withdrawing his nomination, the second military pick to do so after the Army Secretary nominee earlier. CNN is pointing out that news outlets reported a week ago the Navy guy was going to do this, prompting Sean Spicer to accuse everyone of more fake news. ---
**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:** [February 27, 2017, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1612 "2017-02-27T00:24:26Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > And it never occurred to him (or The Usual Gang Of Idiots) that the leakers will just erase the record of each specific call. Ummm…or use a different phone, maybe? :smack: This is just a wild off-the-top-of-my-head idea, but if this kind of shit keeps happening, the media outlets aren’t above issuing TWO phones to their reporters. They’ll carry one for confiscation purposes with a “Make America Great Again” wallpaper, and leave the other one in their cars in case Spicer makes them walk through a metal detector into the press room or starts doing body cavity strip searches. ---
**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:** [February 27, 2017, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1613 "2017-02-27T00:26:48Z")
BTW, how can I bring myself to the attention of pollsters? I’ve never been called or otherwise contacted. How do all these other people get polled? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1614 "2017-02-27T01:05:25Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Now it’s being announced Trump’s pick for Navy Secretary is withdrawing his nomination, the second military pick to do so after the Army Secretary nominee earlier. > > CNN is pointing out that news outlets reported a week ago the Navy guy was going to do this, prompting Sean Spicer to accuse everyone of more fake news. [It’s true! > [@](#): > > President Trump’s choice for secretary of the Navy has withdrawn his name from consideration, the Pentagon confirmed Sunday. > > Philip Bilden, an international financier, withdrew his name from consideration on Sunday due to his complicated financial situation. In a statement, Bilden said his extensive holdings in Hong Kong wouldn’t live up to government ethics standards. > > “I informed Secretary of Defense Mattis with regret that I respectfully withdraw from consideration as Nominee for the 76th Secretary of the Navy,” he said. “I fully support the President’s agenda and the Secretary’s leadership to modernize and rebuild our Navy and Marine Corps, and I will continue to support their efforts outside of the Department of the Navy.” > > “However, after an extensive review process, I have determined that I will not be able to satisfy the Office of Government Ethics requirements without undue disruption and materially adverse divestment of my family’s private financial interests.” ]([http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-navy-secretary-pick-philip-bilden-withdraws-from-consideration-reports/article/2615827](http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-navy-secretary-pick-philip-bilden-withdraws-from-consideration-reports/article/2615827)) ---
**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 27, 2017, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1615 "2017-02-27T01:19:16Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > Yeah, they seem to have [a problem with flags](http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/320997-cpac-attendees-seen-waiving-russian-flags). [Do you have a _flag_?](https://youtu.be/uEx5G-GOS1k) ---
**Author:** ![HeweyLogan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heweylogan/32/547_2.png) [@HeweyLogan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeweyLogan)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1616 "2017-02-27T01:29:53Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I’m not worried. In no way am I impugning Melania’s ability. I feel confident she can take it all in like a pro. I take it you’re insinuating she’s a slut/whore? Pretty disgusting. I assume the women libbers are going to rip your ass. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1617 "2017-02-27T02:58:49Z")
I have no problem calling her a whore. How do you think a 23yr old woman, born and raised in Communist Yugoslavia, comes to be bedding American billionaires? A talent at finance? Anyway, you can see the woman in a lesbian porno shoot, which is also a leading indicator for your question. ---
**Author:** ![SteveG1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@SteveG1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SteveG1)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2017, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1618 "2017-02-27T03:00:29Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > I have no problem calling her a whore. How do you think a 23yr old woman, born and raised in Communist Yugoslavia, comes to be bedding American billionaires? A talent at finance? > > Anyway, you can see the woman in a lesbian porno shoot, which is also a leading indicator for your question. She fucked for money. Then she just fucked for MORE money. The only difference was the price. ---
**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 27, 2017, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1619 "2017-02-27T03:10:45Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > I have no problem calling her a whore. How do you think a 23yr old woman, born and raised in Communist Yugoslavia, comes to be bedding American billionaires? A talent at finance? > > Anyway, you can see the woman in a lesbian porno shoot, which is also a leading indicator for your question. > [@SteveG1](#): > > She fucked for money. Then she just fucked for MORE money. The only difference was the price. So you’re saying she has a talent for finance? 😃 ---
**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:** [February 27, 2017, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/1620 "2017-02-27T03:56:39Z")
Christ on a cracker, people. Enough on Melania. I know this is the Pit, but intelligent discussion is permitted. And this is not it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=80) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=82)