[Note] For the purposes of this question, I am making a couple of assumptions. I do not believe that these events will come to pass, but, in any case, their likelihood is not the subject. For fun, I want to play conspiracy theorist, 'k? I appreciate, in advance, your answers [/note]
Ok, let’s say, for the sake of argument, that the current President (otUS) knows he is guilty of some crimes. Furthermore, congress is now begining the impeachment process. Let’s also throw in that the Vice-president is guilty of the same (or similar crimes) and is also expected to be impeached.
Now, the Prez and the VP, being best of buds, are not so good buddies that they want to share an 8x8 cell. They have a contingency plan. The impeachment process looks like it is coming to an end, and it’s not looking good for the dynamic duo. Someone on the inside (a congresscritter) who is somehow close to the Prez, and is in on the contingency plan sends a coded message that reads like “the chair, and table, and bookcase, and everydamnthing are against the wall.” Thus, the contingency plan is enacted before the final acts of the impeachment process have a chance to play out.
It goes like this: The President writes out an official Presidential Pardon for every illegeal act the VP has ever done. The Prez immediately resigns. The new Prez, being such good friends with the ex-Prez immediately wirtes a new Pardon for the old Prez. Since the pardons specifically mention crimes committed during the current voting term, the new Prez now also resigns.
All hell breaks loose. The public and the congresscritters are foaming at the mouth. (Well, moreso than usual, anyway.) Everyone wants blood. Someone’s goin down!, they say.
The question: Will someone actually go down? Are the powers of the Presidential Pardons such that That’s it. It’s a wrap, folks. Go home.? Assuming there were no crimes left off of the pardons, are the two walking away scott-free?
Conspiracy theorizing is fun! Next: can congress vote itself “voted in for life”