"He could’ve easily escalated from merely badgering the pharisees to outright destroying them, and with good reason. Jesus could’ve done the same to P. Pilate and a whole bunch of other despicable characters, including satan himself. But he didn’t."
What makes you think he didn't? Where do you think they are now?
Yes, I should've predicated that by saying Jesus could've destroyed them
while He was there with them.
As for what Jesus has done with them ever since, He has the authority to do as He judges.