‘While discussing the post-Jan. 20 legal prospects of President Donald Trump, New York AG Letitia James — who is currently pursuing a civil investigation against the president, while Manhattan’s district attorney has a criminal investigation ongoing — said she believes the commander in chief will take a stunning preemptive measure to try to cut future criminal charges off at the pass.

“The vast majority of legal scholars have indicated that he cannot pardon himself,” James said. “What he could do is step down and allow … Vice President [Mike] Pence, to pardon him. I suspect that he will pardon his family members, his children, his son-in-law, and individuals in his administration as well as some of his close associates. And then I suspect, at some point in time, he will step down and allow the vice president to pardon him.”…’

— Via Mediaite

Mark Frauenfelder observes that trump’s tweets illustrate that he has cycled through the first four stages of grief:

Denial: “No candidate has ever won both Florida and Ohio and lost. I won them both, by a lot!”

Anger: “#OVERTURN”

Bargaining: “Wow! At least 17 States have joined Texas in the extraordinary case against the greatest Election Fraud in the history of the United States. Thank you!”

Depression: “If somebody cheated in the Election, which the Democrats did, why wouldn’t the Election be immediately overturned? How can a Country be run like this?”

Of course, the last stage of grief, Acceptance, totally eludes him ‘which is why he is destined to remain a miserable failure….’

— Via Boing Boing

…but not just any Cabinet spot

‘Buttigieg’s top choice in a Biden administration was reportedly ambassador to the United Nations — a Cabinet-level post in Buttigieg’s preferred arena of foreign policy. But Biden passed Buttigieg over for that role, giving it to Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who has worked in Foreign Service almost as long as Buttigieg has been alive.

It’s not that Biden isn’t fond of Buttigieg; He has gone so far as to compare the former mayor to his late son Beau. Instead, Biden has been focused on picking women and people of color for his top spots — something that has frustrated those looking for LGBTQ leaders in the Democratic administration, Washington Blade reports. And Buttigieg hasn’t made it easy for Biden to include him either. Buttigieg shook off talks of being Biden’s Office of Management and Budget director because he wanted a “real Cabinet” position and not a “staff-level” job, a Democratic insider tells Washington Blade. He also reportedly squashed talks of leading the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Now, Biden is considering giving Buttigieg a high-profile ambassadorship, potentially even sending him to China, Axios reports. Buttigieg is also reportedly being considered for some remaining domestic roles — something his supporters see as a way to build his profile before another presidential run….’

— Via Yahoo News

‘Many Democratic lawmakers want more minorities in top posts, and are concerned Biden’s picks are being offered jobs outside their areas of expertise….’

— Via Vox

‘He’s a historic pick, but not the only historic option available. He’s qualified, but not easily confirmable under federal law. And he’s experienced, but maybe not in the right way….’

— Via Vox