John Avlon is a CNN senior political analyst. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion articles on CNN.

(CNN) Let's talk about projection, the psychological impulse to project on other people what you're actually feeling.

Webster's dictionary defines it, in part, as: "the externalization of blame, guilt, or responsibility as a defense against anxiety."

Here's one recent, relevant example: "The one who's got the problem is Biden, because if you look at what Biden did, Biden did what they would like to have me do except there's one problem: I didn't do it."

That, of course, was President Donald Trump, trying to deflect accusations about the covered-up whistleblower's complaint. It reportedly raised concerns about his call with the Ukrainian President, during which, Trump has essentially admitted, he asked for dirt on a political rival's family.

Projection is a regular part of the Trump playbook. He's taken the impulse and elevated it to an effective political tactic.