# The Trump Administration: The Clusterfuck Continues (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [November 11, 2024, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068 "2024-11-11T06:19:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 116
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2025, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2301 "2025-02-24T18:26:16Z")
> [@Coriolanus](#): > > My main point was you can pile high all the evidence and even have Putin say it’s true, yet they won’t get 66 votes in the Senate. VP Vance and the cabinet members can remove Trump because of mental/physical incapacity according to the 25th amendment. No Senate votes needed. Wrong thread - should have been in the jokes thread. 😀 Were’s my ‘we’re fucked’ emoji ---
**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:** [February 24, 2025, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2302 "2025-02-24T19:14:10Z")
Hey, look, a disagreement! > **[Elon Musk Says He'll Fire Every Federal Worker Who Ignores His Email](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/elon-musk-fire-federal-workers-who-ignore-email-1235276801/)** > > Musk moves to speed up Trump's government purge, demanding federal employees name five things they "accomplished last week" — or else he'll fire them. [Trump administration backs off Musk’s 5 things threat: An administration official said it is “not a one-size-fits-all” approach.](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/24/trump-back-off-musk-five-things-threat-00205743) > **[Trump appointees appear to contradict Musk for first time in pushback to OPM...](https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/23/politics/opm-federal-agencies-pushback-doge-musk/index.html)** > > A rift appeared to open Sunday between some of President Donald Trump’s agency heads and Elon Musk, the billionaire tasked with reforming the federal government, over Musk’s demand that all federal employees state their weekly accomplishments or risk... The “five things” email arrived here on Saturday; agency said this morning to email immediate supervisor only and ignore Musk. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2025, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2303 "2025-02-24T19:25:51Z")
Sounds like Elon just opened up the DOJ lawyers arguing that he isn’t in charge of DOGE and can’t fire anyone to a world of hurt. It’s a good thing the fascists are so very very BAD at this. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2025, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2304 "2025-02-24T19:37:00Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > The “five things” email arrived here on Saturday; agency said this morning to email immediate supervisor only and ignore Musk. I think everyone who has a classified job should e-mail them back, listing their accomplishments, but it’s really just summarizing their favorite action movie. See how long it takes them to figure it out. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2025, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2305 "2025-02-24T20:30:22Z")
Actually, since you mention it, “1. [REDACTED, CLASSIFIED] – 2. [REDACTED, CLASSIFIED] – 3. [REDACTED, CLASSIFIED] – 4. [REDACTED, CLASSIFIED] – 5. [REDACTED, CLASSIFIED]” would be an amusing response. ---
**Author:** ![Ellecram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellecram/32/18948_2.png) [@Ellecram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellecram)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2025, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2306 "2025-02-24T20:34:54Z")
I really like the guy who itemized his tasks by emailing the words to the Beatles’ song _A Day in the Life_ in bullet format. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2025, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2307 "2025-02-24T20:36:40Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > would be an amusing response. And then add a frame to the message, “WARNING. Attempt to access classified material detected in this email. OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. Reading this email may make you liable for actions including but not limited to espionage against the United States of America and Treason. YOU ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO RETAIN THIS EMAIL UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE FOLLOWING AN INVESTIGATION.” ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.winston_oboogie/32/2945_2.png) [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Winston_OBoogie)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2025, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2308 "2025-02-24T21:33:05Z")
Good luck. I feel sorry for people like you who are now caught in a tug-of-war dick-sizing between Musk and actual department heads. In Corporate America, it’s quite common to bring in a “consultant” to go through and cut departments, employees, etc. after an “exhaustive investigation”. Ultimately, though, it’s the employer who has to actually fire the employees, but let’s face it. What’s the difference between the consultant going “Fire these three people” and the employer saying “you three are fired”? I know that Patel is fighting back, telling his department not to answer the email. However, if they don’t, and Musk wins the dick-pulling contest, do they get fired? ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2025, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2309 "2025-02-24T22:04:46Z")
> [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](#): > > Good luck. I feel sorry for people like you who are now caught in a tug-of-war dick-sizing between Musk and actual department heads. You wouldn’t believe the number of contradictory emails I’ve received, and the number of meetings managers have attended, over this silly matter. Meanwhile - I may or may not have to return to the office on Friday. Or some later date. Seeing as the portion of my CBA allowing me to work at home is somehow void, I wonder what other portions will be deemed to remain in effect… ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2025, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2310 "2025-02-24T22:08:01Z")
> [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](#): > > I know that Patel is fighting back, telling his department not to answer the email. However, if they don’t, and Musk wins the dick-pulling contest, do they get fired? Elon Musk has zero authority to fire anyone except members of his DOGE team. All of the firings that have occurred to date have been with some concurrence with the Cabinet secretary or independent agency director actually issuing orders. This impression that Musk has authority is a classic move in autocratic and fascist regimes where a leader or his henchman seizes power by just appearing to take it regardless of legal strictures or organization divisions. Witness Reinhard Heydrich or Joseph Stalin. Stranger ---
**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:** [February 24, 2025, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2311 "2025-02-24T22:15:49Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I may or may not have to return to the office on Friday. Or some later date. Seeing as the portion of my CBA allowing me to work at home is somehow void, I wonder what other portions will be deemed to remain in effect… The CBA here is still in complete effect; I have yet to hear different from the union rep. ---
**Author:** ![natureboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@natureboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/natureboy)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2025, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2312 "2025-02-24T22:16:29Z")
> [@Dr.Winston\_OBoogie](#): > > I know that Patel is fighting back, telling his department not to answer the email. However, if they don’t, and Musk wins the dick-pulling contest, do they get fired? Yes. Secs and agency directors are ultimately going to do whatever it is the President wants them to do. They can sue to get their jobs back, of course. ---
**Author:** ![natureboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@natureboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/natureboy)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2025, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2313 "2025-02-24T22:18:54Z")
> [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](#): > > Elon Musk has zero authority to fire anyone except members of his DOGE team. All of the firings that have occurred to date have been with some concurrence with the Cabinet secretary or independent agency director actually issuing orders. This impression that Musk has authority is a classic move in autocratic and fascist regimes where a leader or his henchman seizes power by just appearing to take it regardless of legal strictures or organization divisions. Witness Reinhard Heydrich or Joseph Stalin. Zero authority, maybe, but that doesn’t mean he has zero influence to effect the firings. And what you call “appearing to take it” (power) is, in fact, taking it. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2025, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2314 "2025-02-24T22:22:49Z")
It is other people with actual authority voluntarily (and often preemptively) subordinating themselves out of fear, supplication, or hoping to gain something in exchange. Again, this is characteristic of authoritarian and fascist regimes; this constant power dance of trying to figure out who best to suck up to rather than following any organized chain of command. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2025, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2315 "2025-02-24T22:45:36Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > The CBA here is still in complete effect; I have yet to hear different from the union rep. Does your CBA allow work from home? ---
**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:** [February 24, 2025, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2316 "2025-02-24T23:15:54Z")
It does, yes. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2317 "2025-02-25T00:13:38Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > $5,000 for every person in the US would be 1.65 trillion. And cause massive inflation. Yes, but if you were to limit the largess to those who can demonstrate that they voted for 45/47 the number would be much more manageable. But would you tolerate the agro imposed, the disruption, notoriety and loss of essential services, even your job, for an $8k once off lump sum? Would a MAGAites consider that due compensation? You can obtain fealty with $8k? You’re self-worth is much more than that, surely, even if just to spend it on Bud & blow? ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2318 "2025-02-25T01:06:14Z")
> [@penultima\_thule](#): > > Yes, but if you were to limit the largess to those who can demonstrate that they voted for 45/47 How could anyone possibly demonstrate who they voted for in a secret ballot? ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2319 "2025-02-25T01:37:39Z")
> [@penultima\_thule](#): > > Yes, but if you were to limit the largess to those who can demonstrate that they voted for 45/47 the number would be much more manageable. Maybe they will decide to only give it to the stakeholders who have skin in the game. Vance has said more than once that that is only white married men with children. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2025, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2320 "2025-02-25T01:42:57Z")
There are about 154 million US taxpayers, which strikes me as the likely universe of possible recipients of The Big DJT Sharpie Signature … this time around. So … presuming that number wasn’t whittled down … we’re looking at some $765BN – still no small figure, and _still_ a significant driver of inflationary pressure. How do you like _them_ eggs?? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068.md?page=115) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068.md?page=117)