Don't you think that one of the most important changes in recent weeks is that he's now a lame duck, he doesn't really have power anymore. This is why he's been losing more an more allies since election day. Powerful figures and institutions can change their stance now and this is a preemption of his exit when the next president takes over.

I'm basically saying, it's a whole lot easier to be "brave" and deal a blow to a lame duck than a live tiger.