# Trump's Cabinet of Curiosities **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [November 10, 2016, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367 "2016-11-10T16:28:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 61
**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:** [March 2, 2017, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1201 "2017-03-02T13:32:54Z")
> [@crucible](#): > > What is Bannon doing within a hundred miles of the WH? Well, they cleaned him up a little before they let him hang out there. Got him a new suit and made him shave. But he’s just an ugly dude–there’s only so much you can do. But, more importantly, he’s not out front on center stage. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1202 "2017-03-02T14:57:56Z")
Is Attorney General considered part of the cabinet? How many more nesting dolls are we going to open before Republicans finally call foul? ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1203 "2017-03-02T16:34:43Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > Is Attorney General considered part of the cabinet? How many more nesting dolls are we going to open before Republicans finally call foul? Not only part of the cabinet, but one of the original positions named in the Constitution. Seventh in line of succession, after State, Treasury and Defense. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1204 "2017-03-02T19:44:40Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > Is Attorney General considered part of the cabinet? Yes, Attorneys General have always been part of the cabinet. In the specific case of Jeff Sessions, he’s the knob. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1205 "2017-03-02T22:01:42Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > Yes, Attorneys General have always been part of the cabinet. > > In the specific case of Jeff Sessions, he’s the knob. ::applause:: Is that original? I’m stealing it either way. I ask merely out of curiosity. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1206 "2017-03-02T22:11:08Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > Not only part of the cabinet, but one of the original positions named in the Constitution. Seventh in line of succession, after State, Treasury and Defense. Actually, the office of Attorney General was not named in the Constitution, but created by the Judiciary Act of 1789. ---
**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1207 "2017-03-02T22:22:16Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Actually, the office of Attorney General was not named in the Constitution, but created by the Judiciary Act of 1789. Well, since the constitution was ratified in 1789, I’m giving myself partial credit. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1208 "2017-03-02T22:24:00Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > ::applause:: > > Is that original? I’m stealing it either way. I ask merely out of curiosity. Original in the sense that it is a product of my own tiny brain, but I’d be amazed if nobody has said it before now. ---
**Author:** ![Sterling\_Archer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Sterling\_Archer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sterling_Archer)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1209 "2017-03-02T22:38:05Z")
Tillerson’ gotta be mixed up in this thing too. Who will be next to be under the microscope? ---
**Author:** ![snoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@snoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snoe)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1210 "2017-03-02T23:25:34Z")
> [@Sterling\_Archer](#): > > Tillerson’ gotta be mixed up in this thing too. Who will be next to be under the microscope? I love (snark) that we’re asking questions like this. As Masha Gessen would say, THIS IS NOT OKAY. [Autocracy: Rules for Survival | Masha Gessen | The New York Review of Books](http://www.nybooks.com/daily/2016/11/10/trump-election-autocracy-rules-for-survival/) But it’s a good question: what made Sessions (and Flynn before him) so especially toxic? Seems to me: 1. documented contact with the Russians 2. lying (or dissembling, or whatever) about it Still a few Trump people that might fall into category 1, but until we get some people testifying under oath I don’t see who else might fall under both categories. Given what we know now. If I were a betting man? Trump himself. He’s dumb enough to have not realized it was a bad idea. And he’s denied contact with the Russians enough times that one example is probably probably false. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2017, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1211 "2017-03-02T23:45:59Z")
> [@Sterling\_Archer](#): > > Tillerson’ gotta be mixed up in this thing too. Who will be next to be under the microscope? What? Not Tillerson! He has no connection at all with Russia!\*\* . . . . . . . . . \*\* except of course the minor detail of Tillerson’s company Exxon having a major deal with the Russian company Rosneft in a $500 billion oil play, and Vladimir Putin himself awarded Tillerson the Order of Friendship medal in 2013. Other than those little details, there’s nothing. NOTHING! Look away! ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2017, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1212 "2017-03-04T04:37:13Z")
not surprised if this as been mentioned elsewhere… > **[Bills Across The Country Could Increase Penalties For Protesters](https://www.npr.org/2017/01/31/512636448/bills-across-the-country-could-increase-penalties-for-protesters)** > > In North Dakota, a lawmaker has introduced a bill that would allow motorists to run over and kill any protester obstructing a highway as long as the driver did not do it intentionally. > [@](#): > > In North Dakota, where protests have gone on for months over construction of the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline, a lawmaker has introduced a bill that would allow motorists to run over and kill any protester obstructing a highway as long as the driver did not do it intentionally. Oh. Nice. Nothing like assertive, pragmatic action. > [@](#): > > You’re not just stopping traffic," said Republican state Sen. Jake Chapman about his bill, which would apply to people blocking highways with speeds posted above 55 mph. Violators could get a felony and spend five years in prison, plus a fine of up to $7,500. “You’re impeding law enforcement ability to get to call where there could be **serious life-threatening situations** ,” said Chapman, who also works for an ambulance service. Oh bullshit. Bolding mine. Queuing butthead “oh but what about Portland?” weaksauce horseshit rejoinders in 3…2…1… > [@](#): > > “Republicans have taken over state legislatures across the country and they appear interested in punishing people with different views than theirs,” said Democratic state Sen. Joe Bolckom of Iowa City. Um - no shit? Shades of Russia in 2000? ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2017, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1213 "2017-03-04T05:09:10Z")
Also from one the quotes in the previous post: > [@](#): > > In North Dakota, where protests have gone on for months over construction of the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline, a lawmaker has introduced a bill that would allow motorists to run over and kill any protester obstructing a highway **as long as the driver did not do it intentionally**. So how in Lord’s Fuckwinkles do you litigate what I bolded? Oh wait - the accidentally-on-purpose defense. Right. heh, Bricker? ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2017, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1214 "2017-03-04T06:01:02Z")
> [@snoe](#): > > But it’s a good question: what made Sessions (and Flynn before him) so especially toxic? Seems to me: > > 1. documented contact with the Russians > 2. lying (or dissembling, or whatever) about it There are a few Democrats that meet these same two criteria, but I suspect Schumer won’t be calling for their resignation anytime soon. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2017, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1215 "2017-03-04T08:40:56Z")
Do they have names? Do you know their names? Any reason _we_ shouldn’t know their names? ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2017, 9:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1216 "2017-03-04T09:31:00Z")
I didn’t know we had a few Democrats serving as Attorney General, and who were campaign surrogates for Trump. Sneaky fucking lefties. ---
**Author:** ![DrumBum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@DrumBum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrumBum)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2017, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1217 "2017-03-04T19:53:55Z")
Pres. Trump is now accusing Pres. Obama of [wiretapping](http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/04/politics/trump-obama-wiretap-tweet/index.html) Trump Towers prior to the election. > [@](#): > > “Terrible! Just found out that Obama had my ‘wires tapped’ in Trump Tower just before the victory. Nothing found. This is McCarthyism!” This just keeps getting weirder by the day… ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2017, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1218 "2017-03-04T20:08:14Z")
Wow. Some very nice men in white coats may soon be visiting the White House. Don’t worry, Donald, they’re NICE men. The straitjacket is for your own protection. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2017, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1219 "2017-03-04T21:07:56Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Wow. Some very nice men in white coats may soon be visiting the White House. Don’t worry, Donald, they’re NICE men. The straitjacket is for your own protection. A) Paranoid delusions. B) He’s shit scared that his phone calls with the Russians are going to come out soon C) He read this on a nut-bar rightie blog, and thinks it’s true. Or one from each. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2017, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367/1220 "2017-03-04T21:24:52Z")
Jeff Sessions woke up, looked at Twitter, and told his wife “You know, it may be a quiet day around here. Let’s sleep in.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367.md?page=60) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trumps-cabinet-of-curiosities/771367.md?page=62)