I think you may be right about the dictator thingammyjig!
My hope is that McConnell and Ryan, while not publically declaring their opposition to Trump's dictatorial tendencies, privately have let him know he is toast if he messes with Mueller.
It explains Trump's lack of movement on Mueller, in spite of his desperation.
In which case, he is their useful idiot, as they try to score points for the wingnuts.