[dragonwriter]

> Sure, but that's purely a political constraint, not a legal one

There is considerable debate on whether it is legal to criminally prosecute a sitting President, for different reasons applying to state vs. federal charges. At best, it would involve getting courts to resolve novel questions of Constitutional law about which the legal community has no consensus and which there is no direct on-point precedent.

So, no, it's a legal constraint.

> There doesn't appear to be any will in the democratic or republican leadership to advance motions to remove him from power.

The Democratic leadership is fully behind efforts to removw him from power shortly after the next Congress opens. They also aren't standing in the way of efforts to do sooner (impeachment hearings in the House begin in less than a week).

The Republican leadership, sure, fits your description.

[SomeOldThrow]

Pelosi & Schumer have been fully complicit with their efforts to prevent timely removal of Trump. Action today, and certainly their brand of parlour politics, won't change that. Reading outside American media would give you a better sense of how much their values fall in line with the same republicans they pretend to oppose. They either aren't suited to deal with a politician who can control the media by saying racist things, or they legitimately don't have the values or will to focus on the good their roles can do.

You may be right, maybe the courts will rule that certain actions are legal or not. The fact that we're talking about this in the hypothetical is a clear indication of failure of leadership. The party is directionless and floundering. Trump is going to do just fine.