I see 3 possibilities:
-
POTUS pardons himself. This would be controversial in Trump fashion, and may or may not protect him.
-
POTUS temporarily relinquishes the Presidency to Vice President Pence, The then President Pence grants Trump a full and complete pardon, then Pence relinquishes the Presidency back to Trump. The risk to this scenario is Pence. Would he actually pardon Trump?
-
Nothing happens and Trump is subject to an endless laundry list of charges, criminal and civil.
Thoughts?
Why would it be controversial Obama pardoned himself along with all the criminal cabal for every crime they have ever committed before he left office. Thats why none of them could be charged before.