If I was Trump's lawyer (God forbid).

[TomSlick]

I've been thinking about what advice I would give if I was Trump's lawyer. I think I have a series of steps that would work for him.

Secrecy is key. NO TWEATING. Tell no one what is going on - no one.

(1) Make a big show of removing all potential for emoluments, conflicts of interest, etc. by liquidating all businesses - the hotels, other real estate, securities, everything. Then move as quickly as possible to convert everything to cash - at fire sale costs if necessary.

(2) Keep a few hundred thousand in cash. Move as much money as possible into secure overseas accounts. Buy diamonds with the rest.

(3) Schedule a "summit" in Russia. Announce there is to be a big break through in US/Russian relations. Peace in our time - that sort of stuff.

(4) Suggest to Melania that she and Barron need to go along to see history being made. Tell the adult children and Jared you need them to go to assist in the summit. Don't forget the diamonds and cash.

(5) In route to Russia, sign pardons for the entire family, the Cabinet, staff, and anyone else that might be of interest to Mueller.

(6) Upon arrival in Moscow, find a TV camera and announce the pardons and your resignation.

(7) Send Air Force One back with any that want to go home. Recommend any considering going home to consult counsel about potential state charges before deciding.

(8) Buy a dacha on the Black Sea.

(9) Fade into history.

I think my plan works.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. An interesting scenario but I do see one problem:

If Trump defects to Russia he is no longer of any use to his boss, Putin. In fact, by defecting he has thrown a spanner in the works as to Putin's desire to disrupt our democracy and get the US out of NATO and damage other alliances. How long will it be before there's a little polonium in Trump's tea, or novichok in his jockstrap?

[marylandblue]

2. You are right. He should go to North Korea instead.

[TomSlick]

4. I'd rather go to prison than North Korea.

It's all about the least bad alternative.

[marylandblue]

5. North Korea is great if Kim Jong Un is your friend

They could golf together every afternoon. It does get cold in the winter though.

[COLGATE4]

6. Would never work

Little Kim apparently shoots a hole in one on every hole. The Wanker would never allow himself to be beaten by Kim.

[TomSlick]

3. I thought of that.

The problem is that if you look at the list of countries with which the US does not have extradition treaties, they are all what he would call s&!)-hole countries. If it was me, I'd go to Samoa or São Tomé & Príncipe. I don't think Trump would be happy in either of those countries and it would be hard to sell the peace-in-our time summit.

I think that once he resigned, Trump would simply be irrelevant to Putin. I would suggest that Trump keep a really low profile on the Black Sea.

I don't think Trump can stay in the US. I'm not convinced that Pence can be relied upon to issue a pardon. Even if Pence did issue a pardon, there are the potential state charges to consider.

You pays your money and takes your chances.