# 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:** 876
**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:** [March 6, 2018, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/17505 "2018-03-06T13:54:01Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > Well, damn. I’m annoyed that the President has that power. I guess this is another one of those unenforceable “norms” that have been holding our system of government together. One of the many forms of damage inflicted by this buffoon is that cleaning up his mess will almost certainly entail bolstering the old norms with mandatory rules and laws which will curtail the discretion of future sane and competent Presidents to deal with cases where there is an actual legitimate reason for going against the norm. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/17506 "2018-03-06T17:28:44Z")
> **[Report finds White House aide Conway violated law in TV interviews](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-conway/white-house-aide-conway-violated-hatch-act-office-of-special-counsel-idUSKCN1GI2C1)** > > Kellyanne Conway, one of President Donald Trump's top advisers, violated federal law in two television interviews last year by using her White House position to weigh in on a political race, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel said on Tuesday. " Kellyanne Conway, … violated federal law in two televised interviews last year by using her White House position to weigh in on a political race, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel said on Tuesday." "…Conway “impermissibly mixed official government business with political views about candidates in the Alabama special election,” the independent investigative agency said in a report it submitted to Trump for “appropriate disciplinary action.” I’m sure Trump will get right to that. :smack: ---
**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:** [March 6, 2018, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/17507 "2018-03-06T17:31:11Z")
If she violated federal law, why doesn’t federal law enforcement immediately arrest her? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/17508 "2018-03-06T17:36:42Z")
When you see the perp walk, the arrestee is always in hand, held by a deputy or somesuch, because the actual contact is defining, the perp is “held”. So, to arrest KellyAnne, someone would have to touch her. ---
**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:** [March 6, 2018, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/17509 "2018-03-06T17:41:21Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > If she violated federal law, why doesn’t federal law enforcement immediately arrest her? apparently, because it’s not that kind of law > [@](#): > > Kerner will have broad discretion in recommending a penalty because consequences for violating the Hatch Act range from a letter of reprimand to a civil penalty of up to $1,000 to suspension, termination or even debarment from federal employment for up to five years. ---
**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:** [March 6, 2018, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/17510 "2018-03-06T17:42:44Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > If she violated federal law, why doesn’t federal law enforcement immediately arrest her? Because the White House makes the call. ---
**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:** [March 6, 2018, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/17511 "2018-03-06T17:43:54Z")
Well, they could use the bar with the loop of rope on the end, like they use for dangerous dogs. A couple of those and they could hold her quite well without touching her. Have to be careful not to pull the rope too tight, lest they pop that fragile thing right off, though. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/17512 "2018-03-06T17:46:12Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > In all fairness, it’s best to have the utterly horrifying punctuated by the hilariously stupid. Otherwise, none of this would be in any way distinguishable from hell. You’re not going to like thursdays. ---
**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:** [March 6, 2018, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/17513 "2018-03-06T17:49:02Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > You’re not going to like thursdays. Vogon poetry. All day long. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/17514 "2018-03-06T17:57:32Z")
You’d prefer Klingon folk music? ---
**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:** [March 6, 2018, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/17515 "2018-03-06T18:04:53Z")
Right now I feel like we have been watching the Musical version of _Klingon Lear_for over a year now. ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Jocko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uncle_jocko/32/2932_2.png) [@Uncle\_Jocko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Jocko)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/17516 "2018-03-06T18:10:18Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-conway/white-house-aide-conway-violated-hatch-act-office-of-special-counsel-idUSKCN1GI2C1](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-conway/white-house-aide-conway-violated-hatch-act-office-of-special-counsel-idUSKCN1GI2C1) > > " Kellyanne Conway, … violated federal law in two televised interviews last year by using her White House position to weigh in on a political race, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel said on Tuesday." > > "…Conway “impermissibly mixed official government business with political views about candidates in the Alabama special election,” the independent investigative agency said in a report it submitted to Trump for “appropriate disciplinary action.” > > I’m sure Trump will get right to that. :smack: As a federal employee myself, it’s nice to know violating the Hatch Act will have absolutely no consequences anymore. I mean, they wouldn’t treat a low-level federal worker differently than Kellyanne Conway, would they? Guess I can start social media postin’, campaign organizin’, electioneerin’, and twistin’ the votin’ arms of all my coworkers, right on the gummint’s dime! Yippee-ki-yay! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/17517 "2018-03-06T18:10:24Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > When you see the perp walk, the arrestee is always in hand, held by a deputy or somesuch, because the actual contact is defining, the perp is “held”. So, to arrest KellyAnne, someone would have to touch her. I’m selling 11-foot poles, if you’re interested. They’re the perfect gift for that special someone you wouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pole. ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Jocko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uncle_jocko/32/2932_2.png) [@Uncle\_Jocko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Jocko)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/17518 "2018-03-06T18:14:42Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > One of the many forms of damage inflicted by this buffoon is that cleaning up his mess will almost certainly entail bolstering the old norms with mandatory rules and laws which will curtail the discretion of future sane and competent Presidents to deal with cases where there is an actual legitimate reason for going against the norm. It’s mind-boggling to think of all the longtime political (and moral!) norms that are going to have to be defined with those rules and laws, just to address the mess left by this administration. Maybe someone should start a list? Thanks a bunch, Trump voters. You are the reason why we can’t have nice things any more. Hope it was worth it for you - it sure as hell isn’t worth it for America. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/17519 "2018-03-06T18:46:12Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Because the White House makes the call. The punishment will be swift and non-existent. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/17520 "2018-03-06T18:54:53Z")
The White House went straight to denial of comments. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/17521 "2018-03-06T19:22:26Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > The punishment will be swift and non-existent. That was both [swift and non-existent,](https://thinkprogress.org/white-house-kellyanne-conway-office-of-special-counsel-hatch-act-middle-finger-2e5c10656a6f/) turns out. \* “Kellyanne Conway did not advocate for or against the election of any particular candidate,” the White House statement, attributed to deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley, says. “She simply expressed the President’s obvious position that he have [sic] people in the House and Senate who support his agenda.”\* ---
**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:** [March 6, 2018, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/17522 "2018-03-06T19:31:25Z")
Y’know when Turmp said he told the North Koreans they had to “de-nuke” first when they called to talk? Turns out that phone call he was referring to [was from South Korean president Moon Jae-in](http://theweek.com/speedreads/759197/phone-call-trump-said-north-korean-regime-actually-south-koreas-president). ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [March 6, 2018, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/17523 "2018-03-06T20:56:09Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > “Kellyanne Conway did not advocate for or against the election of any particular candidate,” the White House statement, attributed to deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley, says. “She simply expressed the President’s obvious position that he have [sic] people in the House and Senate who support his agenda.”\* “It’s not so much that I want to kill her, it’s that I want her not to be alive anymore.” - Stewie Griffin ---
**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:** [March 6, 2018, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070/17524 "2018-03-06T21:21:03Z")
Trump claims that he saved the Olympics, which would have been a disaster without him. [President Trump Graciously Accepts Credit For Saving The Winter Olympics](https://deadspin.com/president-trump-graciously-accepts-credit-for-saving-th-1823558893)? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=875) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-a-clusterfuck-in-the-making/774070.md?page=877)