“Flynn lied about talking to Russians, and Trump believed it. This was before Trump realized that Obama’s and Hillary’s holdovers (moles) in the DOJ, FBI, and who knows who else was out to get him”
Doubtful because Trump was briefed by Rogers the day after the election about the wiretaps at Trump tower and he moved his HQ. I don’t think it was that Trump believed him, but he was placed in an impossible position. Pence stands there saying it on TV, and Trump had to either support Pence or Flynn. If he said Pence was wrong, his already very politically weak administration would implode.
He had no choice but to stand with Pence, but I doubt he believed it.
Pence is to Trump, as Bush was to Reagan. A GOPe plant intended to moderate his policies and do things like get Flynn out and a neocon in.