It's stupidity through arrogance. The entirety of the Trump mafia have never once had to face consequences so they don't believe in them.
Corrupt actions like this only reinforce their notions that they are above the law.
I do not care which side of the political spectrum you sit on, this blatant and obvious corruption and abuse of power is appalling. This is how dictatorships start. Except it's usually someone smart and capable pulling it off, not a gaggle of idiots falling ass backwards into it because it helps the selfish rich people steal more public money.