Garrett Graff in Wired doesn’t mince words―

In short, we’ve reached a point in the Mueller probe where there are only two scenarios left: Either the president is compromised by the Russian government and has been working covertly to cooperate with Vladimir Putin after Russia helped win him the 2016 election — or Trump will go down in history as the world’s most famous “useful idiot,” as communists used to call those who could be co-opted to the cause without realizing it.

At least the former scenario — that the president of the United States is actively working to advance the interests of our country’s foremost, long-standing, traditional foreign adversary — would make him seem smarter and wilier. The latter scenario is simply a tragic farce for everyone involved.

From what I’ve read and watched, it seems like there’s something to the “compromised by Putin” accusation (money and quid pro quo) and “useful idiot” (shutting down the government).

I don’t see how Trump can leave office and not be charged with multiple Federal and State crimes. A President Pence or a President (pick your Democratic darling) could pardon him for the Federal crimes, but I don’t see a scenario where Trump is not charged with State crimes and that pardon doesn’t work for those particular criminal acts.

Of course, I’m predicating this with the caveat that he doesn’t win reelection in 2020.