I wouldn't take it out of the realm of possibility, actually. If they pardon him, they can hold over his head that not only was a convicted felon, but had to be pardoned (out of the goodness of their heart, of course). To anyone with an above room temp IQ, it's stupid theater, but for most of the people who still watch the news, it would help to mitigate the arguments of this being a kangaroo court
If they are sure he will win the appeal then the pardon makes sense as you have reasoned.
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