I think the real play was their attempt to trigger Trump into firing Mueller.
They knew the investigations were BS but thought that Trump was impetuous enough to make a fatal mistake. Flynn was the perfect candidate because they knew of Trump’s loyalty to the 30 year veteran.
Trump very nearly took the bait, which would have been his downfall. I think someone convinced him that firing Mueller was what the Dems were trying to make him do and if he rode it out then the hoax would be exposed.
True enough but Republicans lost the house and the hoax was a drag on the administration and a huge distraction. Win/win for Dems.
I think you are right. If Trump fired Mueller the Dems would have made an Obstruction of Justice case out of it. They were hinting at it which may have blown their plan.