It's kind of like Russians throwing their oligarchs out of windows and then saying it's suicide: everybody knows who did it, and there won't be consequences. That in itself sends a signal: 'we can do this, what are you going to do about it? Nothing.'

I feel like "Being detected, making it obvious and still no consequences" is the Russian playbook, if we look at previous instances. It seems to be on purpose as far as I can tell.

You mean, his friends and the top levels

Make no mistake the 'kids' in doge will be the first to be thrown under the bus

Presidential pardons were a crucial check on the power of the courts. The Constitution was written to curb excesses of 18th century England.

I'd say we didn't use them nearly enough. And now they're being used exclusively for crime. Yet another sound idea turned against us. There just isn't any way to govern a nation which has a majority in favor of destroying democracy.