# 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:** 95
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2025, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1881 "2025-02-12T05:26:16Z")
@WOOKINPANUBv.2 , I agree! Let’s just hope that the SNL writers read the SDMB. ---
**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 12, 2025, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1882 "2025-02-12T07:41:43Z")
[30 days notice and a specific reason? 30 days notice and a specific reason? We don’t need no stinkin’ 30 days notice and a specific reason.](https://www.aol.com/news/usaid-ig-fired-day-report-234719944.html) (The link goes to _AOL_.) > The inspector general of the US Agency for International Development was fired on Tuesday, a day after his office [released a report](https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/10/politics/usaid-watchdog-warning-money-terror-groups/index.html?cid=external-feeds_iluminar_yahoo) critical of the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the agency, a source familiar with the matter told CNN. > > Paul Martin was informed by an email from the deputy director of the Office of Presidential Personnel on Tuesday evening that his position as inspector general of USAID was “terminated, effective immediately. He’s not going to stop breaking the law and violating the constitution until he’s out of office. When–I mean if the republicans in congress evolve into vertebrates and impeach him, the damage is already done. We are losing our allies, the economy is going to tank, and we have two (or is it three now) potential pandemics brewing. And he’s doing everything he can to punish the country for hurting his feelings. Oh, speaking of the damage he and his cohorts are doing, [Hegseth gets booed by military families](https://www.aol.com/defense-secretary-hegseth-booed-heckled-132521161.html). (The link goes to _AOL_.) > [Military families](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/military)protesting the Defense Department’s anti-DEI push heckled [Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-vote-confirm-pete-hegseth-defense-secretary-rcna189058) on his arrival at U.S. European Command headquarters in Germany on Tuesday. > > On a visit to the U.S. military’s key European military hub in Stuttgart, Hegseth was booed by around two dozen people who live at the base in an apparent demonstration against the policies being [implemented by the Trump administration](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/west-point-disbands-cadet-cultural-clubs-trumps-anti-dei-order-rcna190823). > > The demonstrators at the short protest repeatedly chanted “DEI,” apparently in a reference to Hegseth’s recent ban on some books in Defense Department schools. Hegseth last week ordered the restriction of learning materials covering subjects that included psychology and immigration in Defense Department schools. DoD schools used to be quite good, rather excellent. They will soon be at the bottom of the scale. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2025, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1883 "2025-02-12T08:19:34Z")
My oldest kid says lil’ X is a shield to protect daddy from probable shots fired. \*I’m aware of how awkwardly worded this post it, but some of my keys are crap. I some how broke the 14th. letter of the alphabet. Ugh, mimjaed??? lol ---
**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 12, 2025, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1884 "2025-02-12T09:07:24Z")
> [@Sylvanz](#): > > My oldest kid says lil’ X is a shield to protect daddy from probable shots fired. Elon: “Alright, little X, keep your head where you can hear daddy’s heartbeat.” X: “I wanna be called Kyle.” Elon: “Fuck, this one’s got the woke mind virus. Call Grimes’ lawyer and see if we can trade it for the one who looks 15% more Aryan.” ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2025, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1885 "2025-02-12T09:15:12Z")
The hell with it. If Elon’s kid is in the way, I’ll … Oh wait. This is the SDMB. So how is everybody on the “Rocky Horror Picture Show”? ---
**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 12, 2025, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1886 "2025-02-12T09:16:42Z")
It was great when it all began. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2025, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1887 "2025-02-12T09:24:54Z")
Hey, Israel? Yes, Trump? I really love the … skillful way … you beat the other countries … to the American bouquet. Oh, Israel, (giggle). Just sayin’, is all. But maybe “Rocky Horror” is frighteningly close to reality. 'Nuff for now. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2025, 9:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1888 "2025-02-12T09:25:17Z")
I wish you were working on a muscle man (preferably with a brain.) Though I think we’ve moved into Science Fiction ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2025, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1889 "2025-02-12T09:28:46Z")
I just hope we don’t have a Science Fiction Double Feature . (As an aside, I’m fighting insomnia tonight, and have put in “Rocky Horror” to keep me entertained. There will be shouts from the Back Row (Me, like I always was, back in the day), and I will dance the Time Warp.) ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2025, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1890 "2025-02-12T09:29:49Z")
I’m lost. Why are we talking about Rocky Horror? ---
**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 12, 2025, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1891 "2025-02-12T09:38:58Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Why are we talking about Rocky Horror? The president’s having one of his… affairs. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2025, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1892 "2025-02-12T09:49:10Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > ’m lost. Why are we talking about Rocky Horror? Well, mainly because I can’t sleep, I guess, and I suggested it. But it also fits. Frank N. Furter is Trump. Somebody who craves attention, in whatever form it takes. And he does get a lot of attention. Elon Musk is Riff Raff, the power behind the scenes, but who ultimately will prove to be more powerful than Frank N. Furter … err, Trump. It’s just that easy. ---
**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 12, 2025, 9:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1893 "2025-02-12T09:56:04Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > Elon Musk is Riff Raff, the power behind the scenes, but who ultimately will prove to be more powerful than Frank N. Furter … err, Trump. Nah. Riffraff was a put-upon servant who did his job obeisantly until he could no longer ignore the way Frank was hurting his friends. He’s more of a Steve Bannon. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2025, 9:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1894 "2025-02-12T09:59:44Z")
No message. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2025, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1895 "2025-02-12T11:31:40Z")
_In just seven days, I can…irrevocably fuck up the entire country…_ ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2025, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1896 "2025-02-12T12:55:17Z")
I’m kinda surprised I just learned today that Chump fired [the national archivist](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/07/trump-fires-national-archives-chief-00203246) some 4 days ago. I think this pretty significant for 2 reasons: 1. Many/most folk have no appreciation of what the archives do, other than perhaps maintain that building where you can see the Constitution/Declaration. This is the kind of move that is easily ignorable - especially with so many splashier events. But eliminate the records, and it is easier to rewrite history. 2. When I first heard this, I sensed a considerable fatigue over this non-stop daily firehouse of horrible actions with no clear non-bad rationale. I would imagine Chump/Musk are counting on such fatigue. People will tire of trying to keep up with the unceasing drama and just accept that the new normal is “the way things are going to be.” ---
**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 12, 2025, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1897 "2025-02-12T13:20:26Z")
More specifics about upcoming layoffs: > **[Trump EO directs agencies to submit reorganization plans, prepare for RIFs](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/management/2025/02/trump-eo-directs-agencies-to-submit-reorganization-plans-prepare-for-rifs/)** > > The order doesn't say when the RIFs should start, but directs agencies to prioritize "functions that are not mandated by law or statute." > President Donald Trump is directing agency heads to prepare for reductions-in-force, giving them 30 days to submit reorganization plans as part of a new attempt to downsize the federal government. > The order directs agency heads to prepare to initiate “large-scale reductions in force,” while at the same time terminating both temporary employees and reemployed annuitants working in areas that won’t be subject to the RIFs. > Trump’s order requires that agencies hire no more than one employee for every four employees that depart. > It additionally requires agency heads to work with DOGE team leads to develop a “data-driven plan” that ensures new career appointment hires are in the “highest-need areas.” DOGE team leads will provide the newly renamed U.S. DOGE Service with monthly hiring reports for each agency. _“The Democrats are the party that says government will make you smarter, taller, richer, and remove the crabgrass on your lawn. The Republicans are the party that says government doesn’t work and then they get elected and prove it.”_ –Conservative author, PJ O’Rourke (deceased) Also see: [**Chesterton’s Fence**](https://fs.blog/chestertons-fence/) ---
**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 12, 2025, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1898 "2025-02-12T13:33:30Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I’m kinda surprised I just learned today that Chump fired [the national archivist](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/02/07/trump-fires-national-archives-chief-00203246) some 4 days ago. I’m pissed. As someone who used the National Archives recently, I’m against anything that jeopardizes its running or access. It’s tough enough to view our past records as it is. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2025, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1899 "2025-02-12T13:50:51Z")
My wife teached business law. Last week she gave an assignment that required that her students access the Archive’s official site. Wonder if it even exists today? She experienced this in the past 4+ years ago. Sources of info she regularly assigned her students to go to for THE MOST RELIABLE OFFICIAL INFORMATION, simply ceased to exist. Someone upthread (or in a different thread) suggested Putin’s Russia as a good, realistic model of where we may be heading. I don’t know why that never occurred to me before - but it sure presents a realistic possibility w/o going all dystopian SF. I’m going to see if I can find anyplace online where folk try to somewhat objectively compare what Putin did with what Trump seems to be doing. ---
**Author:** ![natureboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@natureboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/natureboy)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2025, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068/1900 "2025-02-12T14:27:30Z")
> **[Musk Just Scored More Government Cash While Pushing Education Cuts](https://www.levernews.com/musk-just-scored-more-government-cash-while-pushing-education-cuts/)** > > As the billionaire was reportedly slashing Education Department contracts, SpaceX secured a multimillion-dollar “supplemental” deal from NASA. > As Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency was reportedly [canceling](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/11/doge-education-department-cuts-trump) Department of Education contracts in the name of frugality, [Musk](https://www.levernews.com/tag/elon-musk/)’s rocket company was this week cementing a NASA contract adding millions of dollars to its already massive deal with the space agency, according to government documents reviewed by _The Lever_ . > Musk’s DOGE has not announced it is targeting or reviewing NASA contracts for cuts. > > Trump has [nominated](https://www.npr.org/2024/12/07/nx-s1-5217693/president-elect-trump-selects-jared-isaacman-to-lead-nasa) Jared Isaacman as NASA administrator. Isaacman is a billionaire [Musk associate](https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/06/science/nasa-chief-trump-pick-jared-isaacman/index.html) who runs a payment processing company that is [regulated](https://investors.shift4.com/sec-filings/all-sec-filings/content/0001794669-24-000007/0001794669-24-000007.pdf) by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which Musk has been [trying to dismantle](https://www.levernews.com/musk-targets-his-companies-regulators/). > > Last month, Isaacman’s company was [fined](https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/administrative-proceedings/34-102146) [by](https://www.sec.gov/files/litigation/admin/2025/34-102146.pdf) [federal securities regulators](https://www.paymentsdive.com/news/shift4-makes-47m-in-undisclosed-payments-to-executives-relatives/737548/) for not properly disclosing millions of dollars of payments to company executives’ relatives. This administration is going to be a 4-year money-grab. This country will not be the same on the other side of this 4-year term. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068.md?page=94) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-trump-administration-the-clusterfuck-continues-part-1/1010068.md?page=96)