THatcher - your analysis is spot on. But Putin is helping Trump's aim to destroy the American Deep State that you eloquently allude to.

Trump's admiration and envy for Putin is due to the latter's demolishing of the Russian Deep State and winning the love of his people. Putin is the most popular leader among Russians since Peter the Great, and arguably most liked around the globe as well. 

Trump and Putin, both outsiders. Though an ex-KGB, the firmly believing Christian was posted mostly away from home by the RDS suspicious of him. While Putin's intimacy with RDS helped him, Trump has no such luck and would not be able to ape him, but he appreciates all the help he gets. A smaller State Dept. weakens the ADS that uses it as a tool for global domination.

Trump will not be able to replace ADS with something better, but once his 4-8 years are done ADS will be beyond repair, and America ready for Revolution II.

Any lessons for Canada?