Plot twist: Trump issues a blanket pardon for Maxwell, and all the Democrats she names. Whether or not they actually did it, for precisely that reason. If they prosecuted them, then the government have to prove it’s case. But Trump can pardon anything for any reason, even shit he makes up.
That’ll piss off his base because he’s supposed to be the savior, not the swamp or something. They’ll release the “names” and then nothing will happen because, exactly like you said, then they don’t have to prove it.
Plot twist: Trump issues a blanket pardon for Maxwell, and all the Democrats she names. Whether or not they actually did it, for precisely that reason. If they prosecuted them, then the government have to prove it’s case. But Trump can pardon anything for any reason, even shit he makes up.
That’ll piss off his base because he’s supposed to be the savior, not the swamp or something. They’ll release the “names” and then nothing will happen because, exactly like you said, then they don’t have to prove it.
He doesn’t need the base anymore. If he holds on to power past Jan 2029, he won’t need their votes to do it. He won’t need any votes at all.