There is a fourth way for the Trump presidency to end. We all know of the first three ways, death, impeachment with a conviction, or the 25th Amendment. The fourth way is resignation. I actually didn't think of this, it was James Carville who voiced the idea:
https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/elections/james-carville-predicts-donald-trump-will-resign-by-this-major-holiday/ar-AA25S3nr
We would all tend to think the same thing. Hell would freeze over before Trump would ever even consider resigning. He is in panic mode that a bunch of Republicans will lose in the midterms, and there might actually be enough votes in the Senate for impeachment with a conviction. Trump is in rising hot water with the Epstein files, and a lot of other things. SCOTUS handed him a get out of jail free card for things he does while in office. But there are a lot of priors that he is vulnerable for. Not to mention his family.
Trump could try to pardon himself while in office. But that would require Congress to be complicit, and it's getting less and less likely that they would be. However if he were to resign, JD Vance would be president. And he could pardon Trump, the same way Ford did Nixon. And he could pardon Trump's family members. Not that they all couldn't face civil lawsuits.
Carville gives the chances of a resignation at about 30%. Better than other options, but not that probable. Looking at the other options, Congress is unlikely to find enough spine to carry out an impeachment with a conviction. The 25th Amendment would be a really heavy lift.
But if Trump's main fear is ending up in jail after his term is over, resignation might appeal to him. He acts bored with the actual duties of the presidency. He can't stay awake for meetings, and prefers to stay up sh#tposting and making up AI stuff on Truth Social all night. He would rather be at Mar-a-Lago playing golf. An exit ramp might start to look attractive. Would justice be served? No. But it would be an end to an awful period. And yes, I know I'm wish-casting.
Wish- casting. Me too.
ReplyDeleteVance would go along because if he has to run for the office it seems less and less likely that he would win. If he’s the incumbent and “ends” the war with Iran, he would be in a stronger position in 28.
ReplyDeleteThe country will still be in horrid shape after Trump. The empire will be collapsing irregardless. But I am looking forward to a time when I don’t have to listen or read Trump’s output which is torturous.
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