In fact I came to the conclusion long ago that Trump ought to pardon himself and his family and as many lead supporters as possible on the way out the door.
I have thought for some time that Nixon was essentially innocent of any charge that constitutes a crime not already committed by FDR, JFK and LBJ. His pardon might be seen as the political establishment of Washington setting the parameters of politics of that era. Our side (the establishment whether Democrat or Republican but especially Democrat) wins the political battle but then we do not pursue political enemies, that is, we do not criminalize politics.
That gentlemen's agreement was abandoned to some degree with Nixon in impeaching him for the same crimes committed by his predecessors but observed in the pardon. The impeachment of Bill Clinton was a borderline exercise because Clinton actually committed real felonies and so was impeachable but no national politician nor the special prosecutor himself thought to bring criminal charges. One could say the gentlemen's agreement held.
Now comes Trump and it is not clear what the rules of the game now are. Trump has broken so many rice bowls, Trump has generated such a visceral hatred that there is no telling what the present parameters are. Certainly the establishment powers brought a bogus impeachment, almost certainly they will bring criminal charges if they can.
In my view it is time to tear up the gentlemen's agreement, whatever it status today, and introduce a new concept: the rule of law. Nevertheless, prosecutions against Trump would be as bogus as prosecutions against Flynn and he should defend himself by issuing his own pardon.
