Trump’s Tight‑Squeeze: The Meme‑Sized Options
President Donald Trump finds himself in a sit‑com style crescendo, trying to dodge the looming dread of impeachment or get his family into legal hot water. Legal scholars are shrugging at his three “smart” choices—each one a classic comic‑book tragedy.
1. Play Playbook Two: “Cooperate With Mueller”
- Talk In‑Show: Trump insists no crime was committed, but he’s been sniffing the investigative nose‑hole for months, refusing interviews, and trying to slow things down.
- Open Up (Who? He’d need to drop the shield around his former aides like Paul Manafort, who faced tax and bank fraud convictions.
- Raspberry Rumble: Even the most honest partner would have to play the “good governance” card, claiming he’s just draining Washington’s swamp—sounding polished at a press conference but looking suspicious to a detective.
- Drop the Trolley: A deputy like Robert Bennett says it’s too late to pivot; “You’re at the top of the food chain, no one will switch sides now.”
- Result? The “cooperation” would unlikely derail Mueller; it might even make him eat sooner because of fresh disclosures.
2. “Attack & Buy Time” – The Chess Moves for Election Day
- Show the Snoop: He’s trying to convince voters that Mueller’s probe is a political witch hunt, hoping to rally Republicans in the upcoming November election.
- Gatecrash the 60‑Day Rule: The Justice Department says no investigations can run “in the 60 days before an election” – but the policy is more advisory; Mr. German notes it won’t stop Mueller from powering through.
- Past‑Parrots: Bennett recalls filing a case that stumbled to the Supreme Court in 1996, burying headlines for months; he believes a similar strategy could springboard his family’s legal tangle off the radar.
- Time‑Lock: Getting a case into the courts on constitutional grounds could mean a two‑year showdown—a perfect timing for Trump’s trajectory.
- Bottom Line: Stalling could keep their political foes in check long enough for Trump’s third term to finish, keeping opposition at bay.
3. The “Nuclear Option” – Cancel Mueller
- Tantrum Counter: Trump has threatened to fire Mueller, but lawmakers warned that could spark an impeachment fast‑lane.
- Lesson from Nixon: William A. “Archibald” Cox couldn’t escape the Watergate tide once firing the special prosecutor pushed Nixon forward to resignation.
- Outcome? The move would likely amplify the partisanship, pushing Congress down the impeachment pipeline, making a final “fire” a headline‑killer.
So, there you have it: a trio of grim comedy arcs. No matter which direction the President takes, the script’s voice is loud, the audience’s anxiety peaked, and the stakes are in the millions of headlines. He’ll need to see whether to cooperate, stall, or play the high‑stakes nuclear charade—each one a potential box office flop or blockbuster. Stay tuned; the resolution may have to wait until the next season of American political drama.
