>What if some criminal blatantly says "I'll give you $1bn if you pardon me" and Trump does it? Is that enough for something to happen? Because it seems like that's the only place we can go from here...

According to SCOTUS[0], as long as it's a "gratuity," it's not a bribe and not illegal. No. Seriously.

https://www.scotusblog.com/2024/06/supreme-court-limits-scop...