Pardon Me...

There is an awful lot of talk regarding pardons for Mr. Trump, his family, and his closest sycophants for people who have done "nothing wrong." As this latest--and hopefully last--corrupt act of an utterly corrupt and contemptible administration plays out, I can't help but go back to one of my Facebook posts prior to one of the debates regarding Mr. Trump resigning in exchange for a blanket pardon for at least himself and possibly his closest advisors, family included. If Mr. Trump finds that he can't pardon himself, something that all indicators point towards him attempting to do, will he strike a grand bargain with GOP leadership by leaving office early, admitting no guilt or wrong-doing (something that Mr. Trump is well known for doing in myriad lawsuits brought against him and his business entities over the years) with the promise that Mr. Pence will be elevated to the Presidency and grant Mr. Trump a full federal pardon, leaving him to only face possible criminal lawsuits at the state level? As the clock keeps ticking closer and closer to the Electoral Reckoning and it becomes more and more apparent that Mr. Trump's options are narrowing to find some possible way to game the system, his desperation will continue to grow. Instead of having to face what would be to him the ultimate ignominious failure--losing--and having to stand on the inaugural dais, in front of the entire world, and impotently watch as Mr. Biden is sworn in and assumes office, Mr. Trump will opt for another way out. Will it be the route of resignation or just not showing up to the inauguration in a final toddleresque tantrum? Or will it be something else entirely? Drawing us into a national emergency? Declaring war on Iran? Baiting Iran to declare war on the U.S.? Calling his most ardent supporters into armed resistance? Just flat out refusing to leave office despite his thin assurances that he will do so once the election results are certified and the Electoral College votes are cast? There is absolutely nothing that would surprise me at this point. (I hope I don't regret this last statement.)