Rather than taking revenge on Pence, Trump needs him more than ever.
I have been saying for months that I believed the most logical outcome would be for Trump to resign and President Pence to pardon him "so the country can heal".
He has 3 options
1. Let the clock run out, with no pardon and take his chances.
2. Self Pardon before 11.59 on Jan 20
3. Do a deal with Pence, so that he resigns and President Pence pardons him. Pence becomes 46, even for an hour or a day, but Trump is protected from Federal charges. Yes he can still face State charges, but he would only be fighting on one front.
By far, considering the shit he's in,
Option 3 is the most logical.
Option 3 is also the option Biden hopes Trump will choose, because Biden can say that he can't go after him federally and there is much work to be done fighting Covid, and passing many of the 300+ House bills that McConnell blocked.
But really a interesting point by Michael Schmidt in conversation with Jeffrey Goldberg is that if Trump went with Option 2, it would absolutely force the Democrats to go after Trump, completely investigate all his criminality, because they would have to challenge a President being able to self pardon as it has long been held as unconstitutional for any man to be his own judge. It would effectively make a President, a King. It would have to be challenged by Merrick Garland and to build their case, Trump's criminality would have to be completely investigated, something Trump will obviously try to avoid.
Pence, I believe, is in an incredibly powerful position right now. Who knows, Trump could go a lot sooner that Jan 19/20.
Schmidt mentions this on Lawrence O'Donnell last night.
https://topnewsshow.com/the-last-word-with-lawrence-odonnell-1-7-21-msnbc/
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