My guess what'll happen...

[Drunken Irishman]

This is on the assumption Mueller does have some significantly devastating information on Trump - not just something that loosely connects him, or his family, to crimes ... but evidence that is concrete and indefensible.

But I think Trump knows three things.

1) It's unlikely a sitting president can be indicted. That's what impeachment is for - therefore, Trump, at the moment, has the luxury of being protected by the Office of the President.

2) He likely has enough security with the Senate to avoid removal from office. Even if the evidence presented is devastating and it implicates, say, his son, who's looking at jail time, I really don't trust that there would ever be enough Republicans to vote for removal. I do think there would be enough Democrats in the House to impeach, however.

3) Any evidence of significant wrongdoing and criminal activity is going to be so severely handicapping heading into 2020 that his lawyers will tell him it's in his best interest to make a deal with the prosecution to avoid a harsher punishment when he leaves office. I also think it's likely at this point that he would be forced into resigning - maybe as part of the deal. Would Trump take that deal? I think if the severity is as much as it could be, yes, I believe he would take the deal and would likely be persuaded to do so by his daughter and son-in-law. This could lead to Pence pardoning him...unless Pence is removed, too.

There's another wildcard here - Junior. He's not protected by the presidency. Trump absolutely could pardon him but the dynamics of that MIGHT be big enough to lose full support of his ability in the Senate and certainly would cripple any reelection odds and he'd likely kill any chance of copping a plea deal with Mueller if that was the case. I know some believe Trump can then pardon himself - but I disagree. I think this is more clear than 'can a president be indicted'. And if Trump would attempt to pardon himself, it would create a constitutional crisis and eventually end up at the Supreme Court where, believe it or not, I fully expect the Court to rule that he cannot - unlike their ruling on whether he can be indicted.

Those scenarios are all bad for Trump. The best scenario for him right now is that the Mueller report lacks a smoking gun and isn't decisive enough to change perception. Let's hope that isn't the case.

[rzemanfl]

1. I think the intelligence agencies of several western powers have and

have had smoking gun evidence for a long time and are hoping we can clean up our own mess. If they have it Mueller has it.

[RKP5637]

2. I've been thinking similar. The time is now ripe for the catalyst (Muller) to align by default

significant action.

[PJMcK]

3. Robert Mueller probably already has a "smoking gun"

After all, his sentencing memo for Cohen indicated that Cohen committed felonies at the direction of Individual-1.

Mr. Mueller has far more evidence and testimony than Trump could possibly realize.

Trump won't make it to the reelection campaign.

[duforsure]

4. I think that Mueller has a very well thought out plan

To fully expose everything against trump and all involved, and he has very disturbing evidence, video maybe, of trump committing unspeakable crimes against women, maybe real young girls, and putin has it all too. He may be building up support and taking his time until the Dems take over in the House. It also could be he has proof they kidnapped some of immigrant children to sell them into human sex rings, or places they can be sold at, or something really bad. That would be enough I think to get him removed from office. Mueller's playing a game of poker with trump, and he's already holding a royal flush. As buggy as trump is its pretty bad stuff, even trump knows its pretty bad, and why he's acting out so much lately.

[monmouth4]

6. Think Epstein in these scenarios. The rumors here in the Palm Beach area are salacious..n/t

[Arazi]

11. Yes. The P tape is pedophilia

[Whiskeytide]

16. I've wondered about that since ...

... the beginning. A tape of trump playing golden showers with a couple of Russian hookers would really not be much of a problem for him with the deplorables. That’s not much diff from having sex with porn stars and playboy models anyway. He would probably be proud of it. So why the freak out over it?

But — it’s pretty easy to mistake “P tape” for “pee tape” - especially when you’re translating from Russian in the first place. And a tape of trump with kids would destroy him forever.

[Squinch]

5. I think these are good bets and a good analysis. But something in me says there will be some

wildcard we have not yet considered. Maybe a total meltdown that makes it impossible for enough republicans to be reelected unless they abandon him, maybe an illness (this has all got to be seriously stressful, though he's so stupid he may really believe he's been exonerated). I don't know what it is.

I think we have a good idea of what his crimes are. When Mueller comes out with them, you and I will look at each other and say, "But we knew about that a year ago," but the pundits will act like it is brand new and their hair is on fire.

But I bet we have more surprises to come.

[Harker]

14. I think so, too.

The nature of future revelations might neuter all presently realistic suppositions.

[7wo7rees]

7. One problem with that analysis...

He never wanted to be President. He doesn't crave and plot to be reelected the way a normal politician does.
He would choose to stay protected by staying another four years, but that's the only reason to keep the job.
He doesn't have the power, staff or base to get reelected, even now. Certainly not after the Mueller Smackdown coming soon.

Other than that, you are right on your scenarios.

[elocs]

8. I believe if Trump thinks his financial empire is seriously threatened,

he will choose not to run announcing that his presidency is the greatest and most beautiful presidency in history and that there is a massive conspiracy in the country headed by Liberals and the media to bring him down. He would see it as quitting on his terms and as noble.

[bigbrother05]

9. He would declare himself the "Greatest 1 Term Prez, Ever"

and that he fulfilled his promise to MAGA and doesn't need to serve another term and wasn't a LOSER like GHWB.

[elocs]

10. Yeah, I've posted that same possibility of how he might resign or not run again myself.

He truly is a legend in his own mind.

[monmouth4]

12. Sounds like something he would absolutely do. n/t

[Harker]

13. Sober analysis.

I'll accept whatever option gets him out fast, punishes him appropriately (in part to prevent similar behavior in the future), and allows the implosion of the republican party to run its course.

[maxsolomon]

15. My scenario, with an optimistic ending

1. Individual 1 is impeached.
2. Individual 1 is not convicted in the Senate trial.
3. Individual 1 is not re-elected in 2020.
4. Individual 1 issues pardons right and left as he leaves office.
5. Individual 1 never sees a serious consequence for his lifetime of malfeasance, because we want the nation to "heal" (AKA "saving the Trumpists from their emotions and preserving our national delusions of unity" ).
6. Individual 1 retreats to Individual 1 tower and bitterly tweets for years until he has a massive coronary or stroke.

I have a non-optimistic ending too, involving #3 and the death of American Democracy.

[dlk]

17. Let's Not Forget the State Charges Trump is Facing Which Would be Ineligible for Presidential Pardon

Conceivably, Trump and his family could end up in Attica. Something to think about.

[Raine1967]

18. I agree, but I have a question that no one seems to be able to answer.

Why should the rule/idea that we can’t indict a sitting president apply crimes AFTER the potus took office?

The rule you can’t indict a sitting president should not apply to crimes that made a person the sitting president.

His crimes are BEFORE he was inaugurated.

[bluestarone]

19. Not sure about your question BUT

Even if they tried i understand RUMP has FULL PARDON power for himself. THIS is to me the catch 22 of his whole presidency!!