> OTOH if America loses, nothing will happen to any member of the current US government

Trump seems to genuinely suffer when he loses face. That’s what’s happening here.

Would it be possible for the People to observe some of this suffering? It would help preserve what little remaining sense of justice we still have. Usually we see some shame from politicians, or at least some disowning from their supporters. But here it's just continued unrepentant mayhem and destruction.

when Trump loses, he just declares victory and face is saved.