I’d go as far as to say that’s the intention here. They’re fall guys and they’re too naive/arrogant to realise it.

People say “oh, Trump will pardon them” but I wouldn’t be so sure, why does he care? Once this is done they’re not of any real use to him so it’s entirely possible he won’t waste the political capital pardoning them. Would be in character for a guy famous for not paying folks who have done work for him.