# 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:** 490
**Author:** ![bobsmom101](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobsmom101/32/2867_2.png) [@bobsmom101](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobsmom101)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2025, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/9842 "2025-11-24T16:55:47Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > New Yorkers know from experience that Trump _doesn’t keep_ his side of bargaitns. One of my favorite Holiday Season feel-good pastimes is to queue up “Ocean’s 13” on YouTube and watch George Clooney and his superheroes take down the Trump avatar Willy Bank. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2025, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/9843 "2025-11-24T17:10:39Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > DOGE is dead but its spirit lives on. > What do you mean, dead? > > The spark of his life is smothered in shite. His spirit is gone but his stench remains. Does that answer your question? ---
**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:** [November 24, 2025, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/9844 "2025-11-24T18:15:29Z")
The Pentagon is threatening to recall Sen. Mark Kelly to active service and court-martial him for the “illegal orders” video. [https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/24/politics/kelly-recall-service-pentagon](https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/24/politics/kelly-recall-service-pentagon) ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2025, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/9845 "2025-11-24T18:33:56Z")
From Fox News. LOL > **[Federal judge dismisses James Comey, Letitia James indictments](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/federal-judge-dismisses-james-comey-letitia-james-indictments)** > > Judge Cameron Currie found that Lindsey Halligan could not charge James Comey and Letitia James because she was an invalid U.S. attorney ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2025, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/9846 "2025-11-24T18:45:01Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > The Pentagon is threatening to recall Sen. Mark Kelly to active service and court-martial him for the “illegal orders” video. Disgusting and infuriating, but not surprising in the slightest. > [@](#): > > The Pentagon’s statement, which was posted on social media on Monday, cited a federal law that allows retired service members to be recalled to active duty on orders of the defense secretary for possible court-martial or other measures. Kelly served in the U.S. Navy as a fighter pilot before going on to become an astronaut. He retired at the rank of captain. > [@](#): > > Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a post to his personal social media account, said Kelly was the only lawmaker targeted for investigation because he is the only one who formally retired from the military and thus is still under the Pentagon’s jurisdiction. I’d also note that Kelly is likely the highest-profile of the six lawmakers who participated in the video, being a former astronaut, husband to former Representative Gabby Giffords, and having been on the short list to be Kamala Harris’s running mate last year. > **[Pentagon says it's investigating Sen. Mark Kelly for video urging troops to...](https://apnews.com/article/pentagon-mark-kelly-troop-investigation-4882f76b05dcdfa3060c284c2c84dd12)** > > The Pentagon says that it is investigating Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona for possible breaches of military law after Kelly joined a handful of other lawmakers in a video that called for U.S. troops to refuse unlawful orders. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2025, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/9847 "2025-11-24T19:06:50Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > The Pentagon’s statement, which was posted on social media on Monday, cited a federal law that allows retired service members to be recalled to active duty on orders of the defense secretary for possible court-martial or other measures. This was a major plot point in the Jack Reacher novel _Never Go Back_. I hope it works out as well for these chucklefucks as it did for Reacher’s nemeses. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2025, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/9848 "2025-11-24T19:20:05Z")
Judge Sol Wachtler “I could indict a ham sandwich” Halligan: “Impressive. Can you show me how?” ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2025, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/9849 "2025-11-24T19:29:34Z")
> [@wguy123](#): > > From Fox News. LOL Also from Fox: > That’s a fluke side ruling not on the merits of the case > ---
**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:** [November 24, 2025, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/9850 "2025-11-24T19:32:43Z")
I just watched the video in question (of the congress members reminding troops that they can refuse illegal orders). Not a word of it is untrue, and it is clearly protected under the first amendment. Any charges brought in the regular courts would likely be DOA, even before the most conservative of judges. What I don’t know is how different a military court-martial is to a civilian trial. Could someone with some expertise and/or experience in such matters shed a little light? What is the threshold for sedition? Does federal law supersede military law or vice-versa? Are the officers who preside over court-martials likely to politicize the proceedings? How much discretion are they given? In other words, just how serious a threat is this to Kelly? Or is it just more felonial-era hot air? ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2025, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/9851 "2025-11-24T19:36:27Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > In other words, just how serious a threat is this to Kelly? If he can get Tom Cruise and Demi Moore as part of his defense team, he’ll be fine. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2025, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/9852 "2025-11-24T19:40:14Z")
Kelly should announce he’s running for President. ---
**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:** [November 24, 2025, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/9853 "2025-11-24T19:45:45Z")
Zero threat to Kelly. The whole brought back and charged only applies to activities while he was serving. His and others statements are long after his retirement. Summary: Harassment, felate Demento Donnie. ---
**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:** [November 24, 2025, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/9854 "2025-11-24T19:49:21Z")
Why yes, when you make the exact same mistake several times, you tend to get the exact same result. Weird, huh? ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2025, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/9855 "2025-11-24T21:37:36Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > European fighter jets will be stationed in Poland. In an article I read, it said this agreement would take months, with lots of time just defining terms. They used point 9, as an example. “What is European?” and “What is a fighter jet?”. Somehow, out of that, I got “no fighter jets” even though I later posted the 28 points from Sky. So I’ll take the fall for any confusion. Sorry about all that. Poland (just itself - I _think_ jets from other countries are there temporarily) has - 48 Lockheed Martin F-16s, - 12 Saab 39 Gripens (on lease from Sweden) - They had 28 MIG-29’s but gave some to Ukraine. And on order they have - 32 LM F-35A Lightning II’s - 48 (with option for 60 more) FA-50PL Fighting Eagles from South Korea So is the USA going to cancel a big order like this? How does Poland’s arsenal have anything to do with Trump’s Putin Points? Poland can have whatever they damn well please, and whatever Putin’s document says they can have is irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2025, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/9856 "2025-11-24T22:35:25Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > In other words, just how serious a threat is this to Kelly? Even if Hegseth manages to seat a jury of MAGA officers, the facts are wildly against him. As others have mentioned, Kelly has violated nothing (except Donny’s fee-fees). Observers are watching to see if this plaque, prominently displayed at West Point, is removed (see the sentence beginning “Our American code…”)– [![](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rjsuqx7kx6ubvrbx65si4c2c/bafkreieyh3a4puxhxqxecyiyko5n2ivgwahn7kmihte6uptkc3m6kttjki@jpeg) ](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rjsuqx7kx6ubvrbx65si4c2c/bafkreieyh3a4puxhxqxecyiyko5n2ivgwahn7kmihte6uptkc3m6kttjki@jpeg) > [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > New Yorkers know from experience that Trump _doesn’t keep_ his side of bargains. Of course. And Mamdani knows that. But that wouldn’t stop him from tricking the dope into decisions that would, unknown to Donny, benefit NYC. I have faith in Mamdani’s intellect and tyrant-handling skills. > [@jsc1953](#): > > This morning I had the opportunity to watch Fox with the sound off (hotel lobby) so i was just interpreting the chirons. But they were working very hard to say nice things about Mamdani, after calling him an islamist terrorist all year. Who knows, maybe Donny finds that funny, too. He’s getting “_Kim Jong-Un and I fell in love_” outrage-everyone mileage out of this whole Mamdani thing. ---
**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:** [November 25, 2025, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/9857 "2025-11-25T00:11:17Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Even if Hegseth manages to seat a jury of MAGA officers, the facts are wildly against him. As others have mentioned, Kelly has violated nothing (except Donny’s fee-fees). Not only has he not violated any military law, he, along with the others in that video, repeated almost word for word the training given to members of our military regarding followig illegal orders. Another fun fact is the felon wasn’t mentioned. So let’s file his reaction under _throw a rock into a pack of dogs and the one that yelps is the one you hit_. > [@Wheelz](#): > > Does federal law supersede military law or vice-versa? The Uniform Code of Military Justice _is_ federal law. It’s the federal law which governs the conduct of the Armed Forces. ---
**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:** [November 25, 2025, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/9858 "2025-11-25T00:31:40Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > Not only has he not violated any military law, he, along with the others in that video, repeated almost word for word the training given to members of our military regarding followig illegal orders. I picture him in court, responding to the allegations like this: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/4t2qOTKOWlY/maxresdefault.jpg "Jimmy Tries To Defend Teens Who Broke Into A Morgue | Uno | Better Call Saul") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t2qOTKOWlY&t=190) …except it’s a video compilation of military instructors saying the same thing to trainees, officers saying it in TV interviews, and Republican politicians saying it in Congress. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2025, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/9859 "2025-11-25T01:31:34Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > Observers are watching to see if this plaque, prominently displayed at West Point, is removed ( **see the sentence beginning “Our American code…** ”)– (Bolding mine) [![](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rjsuqx7kx6ubvrbx65si4c2c/bafkreieyh3a4puxhxqxecyiyko5n2ivgwahn7kmihte6uptkc3m6kttjki@jpeg) ](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rjsuqx7kx6ubvrbx65si4c2c/bafkreieyh3a4puxhxqxecyiyko5n2ivgwahn7kmihte6uptkc3m6kttjki@jpeg) It’s just too bad that the video vets didn’t recite that sentence. Then watch Trump declare them traitors. ---
**Author:** ![Coriolanus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coriolanus/32/18769_2.png) [@Coriolanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coriolanus)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2025, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/9860 "2025-11-25T06:33:28Z")
[Ukraine talks gain momentum as US and Russian officials meet in Abu Dhabi](https://edition.cnn.com/world/live-news/russia-ukraine-us-peace-plan-11-24-25) How fucking ridiculous is this going to get? Rubio and Zelensky are negotiating in Kiev, which was drone-bombed overnight, and from the above article: > US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll is holding [meetings with Russian officials in Abu Dhabi](https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/russia-ukraine-us-peace-plan-11-24-25?post-id=cmie13fqd00003b6pddc7svcl) about a proposed plan for ending the war in Ukraine, a US official told CNN. I don’t see Lavrov, Rubio’s taller and smarter counterpart in Russia, mentioned. Is it impossible to hold three-party talks? At least two sides (not Rubio) can speak Russian. Trump says there’s just a “couple of points” to iron out, where there are at least 10 that are no-go’s for one side (usually Ukraine). “The US Army Secretary” is holding meetings. This is going nowhere. Meanwhile, Starmer is meeting with all the other countries for reasons. Trump and Xi have talked and agreed that peace is good. It’s good Rubio has extended Felon’s Thursday deadline, yet if anything comes out of this car-crash of diplomacy it can still be called the Turkey Accords (and Turkey hasn’t even been invited) ---
**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:** [November 25, 2025, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/9861 "2025-11-25T07:11:19Z")
> [@Coriolanus](#): > > Trump and Xi have talked and agreed that peace is good. A concept of a plan for peace. Not an actual plan. Just more bullshit to keep the felon’s herd, his base, happy. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068.md?page=489) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068.md?page=491)