# 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:** 129
**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 28, 2025, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2561 "2025-02-28T20:42:44Z")
Pennsylvania - I sent it to both the Democrat (Fetterman) and the Republican (McCormick). They are both pretty useless. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2562 "2025-02-28T20:54:12Z")
Chuck Todd makes a weekly appearance on one of our local NPR stations. Last week (week before?) he told this story (paraphrased): He teaches a Poli Sci class at one of the DC universities, and a huge number of his students are interns at congressional offices. Mostly, they answer phones and mail. He likes to ask them what they’re hearing from the constituents, and apparently the phones have been ringing off the hook. At the time it was Elon, and it was largely negative both Rep and Dem. He said the members of Congress pay close attention to this, because it’s basically real-time polling, and that it does matter. ---
**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 28, 2025, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2563 "2025-02-28T21:29:11Z")
@OldOlds Thank you. I also called Fetterman’s office with a verbal message conveying my disgust. I pretty much have him on speed dial these days. I have yet to speak with anyone though or get a response. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2564 "2025-02-28T21:49:24Z")
My senators’ numbers go directly to voicemail now. My representative’s number always has. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2565 "2025-02-28T21:57:12Z")
Because, well, I have too much time on my hands: I live in a Democratic stronghold, so I’ve been calling Republican’s offices and telling them what I think. They often want my name and address, presumably to determine whether I’m a constituent. I tell them I don’t want to give it and just talk over them. It’s a little obnoxious, but I’m assuming they don’t know why I’m doing that and it still puts a tick in the correct column. ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2566 "2025-02-28T22:03:06Z")
Oh - I still call, but Blackburn’s and Hagerty’s staffers no longer answer. I’d call Ogles more often, but he doesn’t have a local number. ---
**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 28, 2025, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2567 "2025-02-28T22:54:51Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > They often want my name and address, presumably to determine whether I’m a constituent. I tell them I don’t want to give it and just talk over them. There’s nothing stopping you from giving the address of, say, a Hobby Lobby in their district. ---
**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 28, 2025, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2568 "2025-02-28T23:07:21Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > I’ll pretend MY tax dollars went to pay to help starving children with AIDS Didn’t this mixadministration already cut funding for AIDS/HIV programs? ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2569 "2025-02-28T23:08:29Z")
The Hobby Lobby Lobby Lobbies for Hobbies. (I did not come up with that) ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2025, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2570 "2025-02-28T23:41:21Z")
By definition, wouldn’t the Hobby Lobby Lobby Lobby for Hobby Lobbies? ---
**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 28, 2025, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2571 "2025-02-28T23:44:22Z")
How many hobbies could a hobby lobby lobby, if a hobby lobby could lobby hobbies? ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2572 "2025-03-01T04:26:49Z")
From Alt National Park Service: The Trump administration is demanding the home addresses of 700,000 people suspected of being in the country illegally from the IRS. The IRS is resisting this request, as complying would directly violate federal tax privacy laws. What Does This Mean if Tax Privacy Laws Are Violated? Erosion of Taxpayer Confidentiality – The IRS is bound by Section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code, which strictly prohibits the disclosure of taxpayer information to unauthorized entities, including other government agencies. If this law is violated, it would set a dangerous precedent, undermining the confidentiality protections that apply to all taxpayers. ---
**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:** [March 1, 2025, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2573 "2025-03-01T04:49:03Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > The Trump administration is demanding the home addresses of 700,000 people suspected of being in the country illegally from the IRS. The IRS is resisting this request, as complying would directly violate federal tax privacy laws. And no doubt the magaflatearthers are freaking out about that because they don’t think their idol has to obey the law to enforce the law. ---
**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:** [March 1, 2025, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2574 "2025-03-01T05:14:56Z")
> **[SEC Drops Charges Against Chinese Billionaire After He Pumps $30 Million Into...](https://gizmodo.com/sec-drops-charges-against-chinese-billionaire-after-he-pumps-30-million-into-trumps-crypto-scheme-2000569966)** > > Justin Sun is celebrating avoiding a fraud investigation by posting handshake emojis on X. Sun owns several companies, including Tron Foundation Limited, BitTorrent Foundation Ltd., and Rainberry Inc. (formerly BitTorrent). According to an [SEC press release](https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2023-59) from 2023, Sun was allegedly using his companies to wash trade securities, buying them with one company and immediately buying them with another. He also allegedly paid for celebrity endorsements without disclosing the agreement. When it charged Sun, the SEC also [charged eight celebrities](https://gizmodo.com/jake-paul-soulja-boy-lindsay-lohan-akon-crypto-fine-trx-1850255958) they said were involved in the scheme, including Lindsay Lohan, Jake Paul, Soula Boy, and Lil Yachty. Several of the celebrities, including Lohan, agreed to pay $400,000 to settle the SEC investigation. Sun’s SEC legal troubles also seem to be over. ---
**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:** [March 1, 2025, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2575 "2025-03-01T05:49:15Z")
I bet those celebs are xuper happy Sun is no longer facing prosecution. ---
**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:** [March 1, 2025, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2576 "2025-03-01T06:57:48Z")
> [@from DavidNRockies's link](#): > > I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. I know it’s foolish of me, but I’ve read this a few times and I just cannot understand what this means. What the fuck is he saying? ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2577 "2025-03-01T07:03:42Z")
I’m glad it’s not just me. The only thing I can think is that Trump means the longer the war goes on, the bigger Ukraine’s supposed advantage gets? Total crap obviously. ---
**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:** [March 1, 2025, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2578 "2025-03-01T07:45:09Z")
[Once a conman, always a conman it seems.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/hot-mic-catches-trump-urging-180225975.html) (The link goes to _Yahoo_.) > President [Donald Trump](https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/donald-trump) took the opportunity at the end of his first Cabinet meeting to urge a host of his favorite morning program to tell viewers that “we did a great job” and it was an “unbelievable” meeting. & > First [flagged](https://www.mediaite.com/news/trump-caught-on-hot-mic-telling-fox-host-to-praise-cabinet-meeting-as-press-files-out-say-it-was-unbelievable/) by Mediaite, the end of the AP feed shows an aide waving the press out of the room after the meeting concluded. At this point, Trump directly addressed Jones and began heaping praise on the Fox News personality. > > “Lawrence! Look at Lawrence! This guy’s making a fortune! He never had it so good,” the president said before the two engaged in a bit of banter. > > “Lawrence, say we did a great job, please. Okay? Say it was unbelievable,” Trump added right before the AP’s feed cut off. [We don’t need no stinking facts.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/musk-makes-big-mistake-while-025512367.html) (The link goes to _Yahoo_.) > [Elon Musk](https://thedailybeast.com/keyword/elon-musk) falsely accused prominent lawyer and former CNN legal analyst Norm Eisen of leading a “crime family” after Musk found out about a woman with the same last name who worked for an organization that accepted funds from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). > > The only problem? The woman, Tamar Eisen, is of no relation to Norm Eisen. Didn’t McCarthy pull a similar stunt? [Have you ever heard of returning the crime to the scene?](https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-takes-seized-boxes-back-025416627.html) (The link goes to _Yahoo_.) > President [Donald Trump](https://www.cnn.com/politics/president-donald-trump-47?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo) on Friday transported back to Florida with him boxes of documents that the FBI had seized from Mar-a-Lago after executing a [court-ordered search warrant](https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/08/politics/mar-a-lago-search-warrant-fbi-donald-trump/index.html?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo) in August 2022. And why does he want them there? > “The Department of Justice has just returned the boxes,” Trump said in a statement. “They are being brought down to Florida and will someday be part of the Trump Presidential Library,” he said, going on to claim that “justice finally won out” and that the investigation into his mishandling of presidential documents, including highly sensitive classified documents, was “merely an attack on a political opponent.” Let me guess. They’ll be in the library’s bathroom. [And screw transparency in government.](https://www.yahoo.com/news/rfk-jr-issues-rule-barring-220855617.html) (The link goes to _Yahoo_.) > Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Friday released a policy prohibiting public comments during his department’s rulemaking process, ending more than 50 years of the public’s involvement in crafting his department’s rules. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2025, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2579 "2025-03-01T07:52:35Z")
[Starlink poised to take over $2.4 billion contract to overhaul air traffic control communication](https://www.theverge.com/news/620777/starlink-verizon-contract-faa-communication-musk?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us) > The contract had already been awarded to Verizon, but now a SpaceX-led team within the FAA is reportedly recommending it go to Starlink. This is just all so cliche Third World crony capitalist dictator. ---
**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:** [March 1, 2025, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/2580 "2025-03-01T07:59:34Z")
And not even a real one. This is the comic book version. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068.md?page=128) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068.md?page=130)