How might a politically motivated prosecution actually unfold? These steps show exactly how Trump could make his threats real — all while staying within the constitutional limits on presidential power.

But only norms and precedents, not laws, prevent this. In our system, the attorney general and the director of the F.B.I. sit within the executive branch and answer to the president.

How might a politically motivated prosecution actually unfold? The steps below show exactly how Trump could make his threats real — all while staying within the constitutional limits on presidential power.