# 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:** 77
**Author:** ![SunUp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SunUp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SunUp)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2025, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1521 "2025-02-04T21:28:35Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > AIUI Jackie basically wrote [_Profiles in Courage_.](https://www.amazon.com/Profiles-Courage-John-F-Kennedy/dp/0060530626?tag=googhydr-20&source=dsa&hvcampaign=books&gclid=Cj0KCQiAkoe9BhDYARIsAH85cDOHZtsyYuDwmwG5Zw2KllGOebPnT8eLM_cyGGKsA2Urvxawnbm5ZmMaAoKfEALw_wcB) I thought that was Ted Sorenson? Wikipediasez: > **[Profiles in Courage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Profiles_in_Courage#Authorship)** > > Profiles in Courage is a 1956 volume of short biographies describing acts of bravery and integrity by eight United States senators. The book, authored by John F. Kennedy with Ted Sorensen as a ghostwriter, profiles senators who defied the opinions of their party and constituents to do what they felt was right and suffered severe criticism and losses in popularity as a result. It begins with a quotation from Edmund Burke on the courage of the English statesman Charles James Fox, in his 1783 "at... It mention’s Jackie’s college history teacher, but not her directly. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2025, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1522 "2025-02-04T21:29:51Z")
I laughed. ---
**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:** [February 4, 2025, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1523 "2025-02-04T21:54:25Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > If you want the Democrats to pull a bunch of illegal nonsense to fight back, just say so. Yes, I’ll agree. Chuck is a guy from Brooklyn and I voted for him at least 3 times when I lived in NY. Take the high ground, moral, legal or otherwise. I don’t know how the Dems can stop Trump from writing executive orders that directly challenge and negate amendments or laws and all I learned about making laws was from Schoolhouse Rock on Saturday mornings years ago. I’'ll have to find the Simpsons satire on that which I reckon had some good ideas (or at least showed the consequences of making “all kinds of crazy laws!”) As for Jacqueline Kennedy, the worst thing Trump has said about her was comparing her to “Melania T” yet at least she didn’t say it but did trash Jackies rose garden. And most of what Trump has said about Jackie is superficial stuff about her looks and what a good first lady she was, and very little if anything about her accomplishments. I guess even sociopathic guys can draw a line about some people. ETA: I have problems posting youtube but maybe a link will work, as I think it’s this: [Simpsons Satirre on Schoolhouse Rock](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU-eE27lngo) ---
**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 4, 2025, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1524 "2025-02-04T22:46:20Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > I get that people hoped the Democrats had done better in the last elections, but elections have consequences. One of those consequences is that if you aren’t the majority party, your ability to get things done is necessarily limited. Did anyone ever tell Mitch McConnell that? ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2025, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1525 "2025-02-04T22:50:44Z")
Yeah, he got a lot done in the minority. But mostly slowed things down and obstructed things. And arguably by going outside the bounds of the law. He was helped quite a bit by a thin margin and vulnerable Dem Senators. And still nothing remotely resembling what a party in the majority can do. So, again, if the argument is the Democrats can/should do more but remain inside the bounds of law, I’d like to know how. Their adherence to principles is much of what is limiting them. The House is looking interesting in reverse for the same reason. There’s a razor thin margin, and it wouldn’t take many Republicans voting the wrong way for the Dems to get very obstructionist, as they already have. ---
**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 4, 2025, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1526 "2025-02-04T22:59:11Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > So, again, if the argument is the Democrats can/should do more but remain inside the bounds of law, I’d like to know how. Their adherence to principles is much of what is limiting them. You just answered your own question. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2025, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1527 "2025-02-04T23:02:09Z")
I’ve already said I disagree with the notion that to save the Republic you have to trample on the principles on which it was built. If you’re already talking extra-legal shenanigans, you don’t need to rely on elected officials. Get a bunch of buddies and take action on your own. The point of elected officials is to stay within a legal framework. If you want to toss that out, why are you relying on them in the first place? ---
**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 4, 2025, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1528 "2025-02-04T23:54:26Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > I’ve already said I disagree with the notion that to save the Republic you have to trample on the principles on which it was built. Bold of you to assume we still have a republic now that Herr Musk controls the treasury. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1529 "2025-02-05T00:25:36Z")
Anybody watching the press conference between trump and yahoo? Anyway, trump is really hot to “clean out” Gaza, so the US can fix it up so to speak. Ole’ yahoo is all over that. Oh, and he really knows how to talk to trump. 🙄 ---
**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:** [February 5, 2025, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1530 "2025-02-05T00:28:26Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Herr Musk Dagnabit, tell me that is a typo? “Mus_i_k”. So they named their kid X Æ A-12. He definitely deserves the Herr as I’ve read from those in the know that his two snappy Nazi salutes (Sieg Heil’s?) were top notch. 9.5 / 10 and a perfect 10/10. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2025, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1531 "2025-02-05T00:36:32Z")
> [@Sylvanz](#): > > Anybody watching the press conference I have the BBC which keeps on showing “The US will take over the Gaza Strip” and the BBC guy is saying this is clearly illegal, but framed as humanitarian. Good fucking lord. Trump must go. That “'lunatic” amendment must be used. Does Vance have to bring it on or can Congress do it? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1532 "2025-02-05T00:40:10Z")
Here’s some sparkling news: > [@](#): > > Meet Marko Elez, the 25-year-old Musk lackey with direct access to nearly all US govt. payments > > Early this morning WIRED magazine dropped some [frightening reporting](https://www.wired.com/story/elon-musk-associate-bfs-federal-payment-system/?_sp=6d9925e6-81b0-43de-b5bc-ee2e3d82fd2a.1738695606402) about Marko Elez, a 25-year-old engineer who has worked for two of Elon Musk’s companies and is one of Musk’s DOGEbro cronies. Three sources have confirmed to WIRED that Elez — someone who has not been elected or appointed to any government position — has direct access to Treasury Department systems responsible for nearly all payments made by the U.S. government. Two of WIRED’s three sources claim that **Elez’s access privileges allow him to not just read the systems code but also write code for the systems.** (Bolding mine) Let _that_ sink it for a minute – he’s altering the code. It goes without saying that an unauthorized, unelected private individual ought not to have these capabilities > [@](#): > > Talking Points Memo has [confirmed WIRED’s reporting](https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/musk-cronies-dive-into-treasury-dept-payments-code-base), and also reports that Elez has already made extensive changes to the code base for these critical payment systems. The WIRED and TPM reporting goes against previous reporting from [Politico](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/01/musk-claims-doge-lax-treasury-00201946) that Trump cronies had “read only” access to the Treasury payment systems. These systems directly control and pay out roughly 95% of payments made by the U.S. government, including Social Security checks, tax refunds and virtually all contract payments. > **[Meet Marko Elez, the 25-year-old Musk lackey with direct access to nearly all...](https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/2/4/2301395/-Meet-Marko-Elez-the-25-year-old-Musk-lackey-with-direct-access-to-nearly-all-US-govt-payments?utm_campaign=trending)** > > Early this morning WIRED magazine dropped some frightening reporting about Marko Elez, a 25-year-old engineer who has worked for two of Elon Musk’s companies and is one of Musk’s DOGEbro cronies. Three sources have confirmed to WIRED that Elez —... ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1533 "2025-02-05T00:40:23Z")
Trump Gazapalooza! The fastest greens! The loosest slots! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1534 "2025-02-05T00:40:29Z")
Well, now that the China tariffs are active, I’ve ordered a replacement laptop from Costco before the price jumps $200. ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2025, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1535 "2025-02-05T00:42:19Z")
A CNN article says Netanyahu told Trump “Your willingness to think outside the box with fresh ideas will help us achieve all these goals". That’s… diplomatic. > [@CalMeacham](#): > > Let _that_ sink it for a minute – he’s altering the code. It goes without saying that an unauthorized, unelected private individual ought not to have these capabilities Jesus H. Christ, it is the literal heist from Live Free or Die Hard. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2025, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1536 "2025-02-05T00:47:22Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > Jesus H. Christ, it is the literal heist from Live Free or Die Hard. Does the USA have a significant Naval presence in the Mediterranean? is the 101st Airborne going to take it? It’s long been known that Trump will agree with the last person who speaks to him so did Netanyahu hit him with some Obi Wan “You will occupy Gaza”. And I heard Trump say before "the line is drawn about Iran having nukes. They don’t? I am sure they do and they have a massive (compared to others in the middle east) standing army anyways. “USA taking over” - even Theodore Roosevelt wouldn’t phrase anyything like that. ---
**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 5, 2025, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1537 "2025-02-05T00:57:31Z")
> [@Coriolanus](#): > > Good fucking lord. Trump must go. That “'lunatic” amendment must be used. Does Vance have to bring it on or can Congress do it? I believe you’re talking about the [25th Amendment](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-CONAN-1992/pdf/GPO-CONAN-1992-10-26.pdf) (link is to PDF on GovInfo). The procedure begins with the vice president and a majority of the cabinet declaring the incompetent is incapable of performing the duties of the office. And it ends up in Congress, requiring a 2/3 majority of both houses ultimately to declare such incompetence. (If I’m reading the amendment correctly.) Congress could impeach him, but we’ve already seen how that works, or rather, does not work when it comes to this particular incapable incompetent in office. ---
**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 5, 2025, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1538 "2025-02-05T01:01:29Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Let _that_ sink it for a minute – he’s altering the code. They are pushing the code directly to PROD. That seems…unwise. > [@from the TPM reporting](#): > > The changes that have been made all seem to relate to creating new paths to block payments and possibly leave less visibility into what has been blocked. I want to emphasize that the described changes are not being tested in a dev environment (i.e., a not-live environment) but have already been pushed into production. ---
**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:** [February 5, 2025, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1539 "2025-02-05T01:11:01Z")
> [@Monty](#): > > declare such incompetence. So it pretty much won’t happen as 2/3 is a very high bar to pass, in a week or two. This is at least “War Powers Act” territory so the lunatic-in-chief will have to say something to Congress. “We’ll take it and own it! What’s not to like?!” Vance and the cabinet would be committing political suicide to bring the 25th up. And you’re right (or at least my reading of it agrees) - if the VP doesn’t initiate it he’d have to be impeached and Marco Rubio would be in charge. I had not heard the term “Gazans” till earlier tonight. Of course I understood it, and heard Trump saying they’d be relocated which is of course perfectly fine. The BBC headline is stuck on “Trump: The USA will take over the Gaza Strip”. May as well have said Tehran as how can Iran not react in some “no you will not” way? ---
**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 5, 2025, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1540 "2025-02-05T01:24:46Z")
I just saw [this on Yahoo](https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-administration-says-begun-deporting-194236037.html) and am stunned. > The [Trump administration](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/trump-administration) has begun flying undocumented immigrants from the US to a military detention facility at [Guantánamo Bay](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/30/donald-trump-guantanamo-bay-cuban-detention-camp-illegal-migrants) in Cuba, the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, said on Tuesday. > > Leavitt told[Fox Business Network](https://x.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/1886810090826785037) that at least two deportation flights were “under way”, but gave no further details. > > Her comments, however, appeared to confirm reporting by the [Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/u-s-begins-migrant-flights-to-guantanamo-bay-9fec8df3), citing an anonymous official with knowledge of the operation, that about a dozen immigrants were onboard one flight from Fort Bliss, Texas. The newspaper said an additional flight had departed on Monday. The White House press secretary gushed thus: > President Trump is not messing around, and he’s no longer going to allow America to be a dumping ground for illegal criminals from nations all over this world[.] That’s right, dammit. It’s his perogative to be a criminal in America, not some foreigners’! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068.md?page=76) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068.md?page=78)