The debate over whether to hold Trump accountable is about political capital. It is manifestly good (and forward-looking) to hold people who broke the law accountable, to prevent future crime. Really, it's about whether POTUS wants to spend his capital on these issues or others.

The idea that prosecuting Trump's crimes would consume tremendous amounts of media and public attention, detracting from other issues, is correct. The idea that this would amount to mere retribution is wrong. As with any crime, it would show that criminals are held accountable.

The big unknown is whether the attention such efforts consume actually detract or add political capital. The CW is that it detracts, equating attention with capital: it consumes attention, ergo capital. But does letting gross violations of public trust slide detract more capital?

Some have pointed out that Biden can do his thing while his independent DOJ pursues Trump - Comey pursued Hillary, after all. But that arose after Comey’s confirmation. Whoever Biden taps for AG, their appetite to pursue Trump will likely be a big flashpoint during confirmation.