I get the timing of everything. Trump likely didn't act in 2016, because he had already won in the first place. I think the focus was simply on getting in there first and foremost, and spending time on 2016 would be wasting time preparing for 2020. While the midterms in 2018 would have helped, the real goal is gathering evidence of a hacked 2020 election.
It was a win/win gamble based on the confidence from seeing the real 2016 and 2018 numbers. Either the DS cheats and his sting is successful, or he wins in a landslide. Win. Win.
Striking after the election is already cemented means they have no time to regroup and come up with a counter strategy or even the ability to choose a new candidate. Taking Biden out of the Dem Primary early would be tempting, but the DS would just push through someone else who might be cleaner. Thus the swamp can be exposed and the election fraud demonstrably proven to be done in collusion with China. Arrests will come and everyone will be surprised that it actually happened.
TLDR; Trump will serve 3 terms by the end of this.
Cruz is not eligible, being born in Canada, and I do not forgive him for his corruption in the 2016 Republican primary.
I assume Pompeo is up next as at least the VP.