AFTER Trump won in 2016.
We know Obama and his admin spied on Trump, Trump campaign. But AFTER the election and Trump won, these coup plotters were still operating with impunity.
Knowing the Republican politicians are chicken little, that goes without saying. But their behavior is As IF they are daring the American public that we CAN"T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
I should have re-read your post before responding. My only answer ... hubris. They had the deep state, the upper echelon of the FBI, and the media, all in their corner, cheering them on.