Motivation

Over the weekend, Trump declares the federal court judge to be "so-called" and then tells interviewer that the US is "not so innocent" in comparison to Putin killings of journalists. 

Whatever his motivation, he undermines faith in US federal government institutions and, thus, stability.

Why does he say these things?  Well, he isn't that stupid.  He has that much lack of self control in his personal expressions, perhaps with that much lack of understanding of the US Constitutional system.  He is acting like an authoritarian ruler and tht's where his enablers, Bannon and Conway, come in.

And his response to Putin's killings?  Could he possibly think that he and Putin will control the world together?  I don't think so.  The only alternative to that idea is that Trump owes Putin - that he has personal financial business debts to Putin and that Putin hacked Trump to elective victory.  As Malcolm Nance correctly says, Trump is Putin's asset.

The continued question is when will responsible Republicans, maybe so-called "responsible", intervene?  Probably after they get a SCOTUS, plus repeal of Dodd-Frank and repeal of Obamacare.  Then the Reps will hold Social Security and Medicare hostage or the Reps will dump him.  The Reps will have plenty of cause in his tax and hidden business interests and the emoluments issue.