re: #335 KGxvi

I saw a headline earlier that Pence has hired private counsel. That led me to game out some scenarios, the most spectacular being:

Pence realizes he stepped in it and seeing that he’s potentially facing indictment, resigns. Before a new VP is selected and confirmed, something comes out that finally forces Ryan to break and green light impeachment. Articles of Impeachment are passed, but the TP/Freedumb Caucus/Trumpers in the House move for a change of leadership, so Ryan is out as speaker. Trump is convicted in the Senate with no VP yet sworn in. We see the swearing in of President Orrin Hatch… or even more crazy, Hatch says he doesn’t want it (too old, not healthy enough, whatever the reason), so before the impeachment trial starts, the Senate has to elect a new President Pro Tem. Fun question, who would win that vote?

If Orrin Hatch declined, the line of succession dictates next that the Secretary of State becomes President (Rexxon Tillerson). Then Secretary of the Treasury (Steve Mnuchin), then Secretary of Defense (James Mattis) and so on.

Hatch could also stay on just long enough to see a new VP made, then resign.

Or worse for the House (my extreme gaming scenario), Ryan is forced to resign or ousted as Speaker, and Nancy Pelosi gets put in.