You begin with this statement:

If Trump knew about the payments (and I'm sure he did), it's an obvious campaign finance law broken, and he ought to be prosecuted and most likely convicted.  In theory, paying "hush money" isn't against the law, but it is if using those funds to do so.  

Now, I guess the key to this is trying to consider what you know and don't know but it looks and sounds like you are attempting to ignore some rather large known facts. This makes it appear you are being either dishonest or you just do not know the facts surrounding the Stormy Daniels situation. 

First, we know Trump knew about and oversaw the payment to Daniels, he was recorded discussing it with Cohen and that has been played on TV probably well over a 100 times. There is no question Trump directed the payment and as Trump always likes to do, he took the money from his campaign funds to make the payment.

Second, as David pointed out in this thread, Cohen was convicted of this crime and served jail time for it. In the conviction Trump was identified as also guilty but as he was serving as president at the time and could not be prosecuted then, he was referred to in the court documents as individual one and that Cohen committed the crime at his behest. So, really, Trump was already found guilty of this he just could not be prosecuted at the time because he was the sitting president. 

So, Trump is guilty as the day is long and it is a known fact.

Now, maybe you just did not know the facts. I don't know, but when someone that does reads your comment, in all fairness, it comes across as if Tucker Carlson is speaking. I am not saying that to insult you, just to say that you consider that when you are reading the responses from folks around here.