Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville believes Donald Trump could make one final dramatic move before leaving office. His prediction centers on a resignation scenario that, if it ever happened, would briefly put Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office.
James Carville predicts Donald Trump could resign early, making JD Vance president and enabling a pardon
James Carville laid out the theory during an appearance on The Daily Beast Podcast, where he argued that Trump could step down before his term ends if Republicans suffer a major defeat in the November elections.
The longtime political adviser said he expects Trump’s influence to fade after such a loss, adding, “He’s gonna get up and walk out of it,” because his political power would “seep right out” and people would no longer care what he says.
According to Carville, the resignation would serve a specific purpose. Speaking to The Daily Beast’s Joanna Coles, he imagined Trump telling JD Vance to take over the presidency and immediately sign “a pardon… for everything imaginable.” Carville argued Trump would prefer that route because “there is some doubt as to the legality of a self-pardon,” making a pardon from a successor, in his view, a safer option.
He added that even if Trump completed nearly all of his term, he believes the president would still resign “two days before” leaving office to ensure the pardon happened. Carville also pointed to a separate issue while explaining why he believes Trump would seek legal protection.
Referring to a recent Wall Street Journal report about fundraising tied to White House projects, he questioned the ethics of wealthy donors contributing millions while potentially benefiting from government decisions. During the same podcast, he asked, “What is more unethical than being President… and charging people for an official deed?” before adding, “You pay if you want to play.”
The White House has not yet responded to the matter regarding Carville’s remarks. Trump has also not indicated that he plans to resign before the end of his term.
