Analysis: By jumping into the domestic politics of other countries, Trump appears to give a ‘green light’ to foreigners who want to influence his re-election effort.

When President Donald Trump endorsed Boris Johnson for prime minister of the United Kingdom over the weekend, it wasn’t the first time he’d thrust himself into another nation’s domestic political affairs.

Earlier this year, Trump rushed to recognize Israel’s claim to the Golan Heights region as part of an apparent campaign to support Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s re-election effort.

And ever since taking office, he’s been a frequent commentator on the strengths and weaknesses of foreign leaders, sometimes using his bully pulpit to undermine them at critical junctures — as he did by poor-mouthing British Prime Minister Theresa May’s “Brexit” plan last summer just as she was unveiling it.

On one level, Trump’s brash lobbying in foreign countries is just another case of norm-busting for a president who often rejects the niceties of both domestic and international politics. But at a deeper level, Trump’s moves help normalize a practice that helped him win in 2016 and could advance his cause as he seeks re-election in 2020.

“It certainly gives a green light to whatever country wants to get involved in our elections,” Tom Nides, who served as deputy secretary of state under President Barack Obama, said in a telephone interview. “Donald Trump is really good at this — way better than any of us give him credit for.”

Foreign intervention could range from an endorsement to a full-scale campaign.

In 2016, Russia undertook a sophisticated operation to aid Trump and defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. Former special counsel Robert Mueller did not find sufficient evidence to charge Trump or his aides with engaging in a conspiracy, but he did detail the ways in which the campaign and Russia played off each other to Trump’s benefit.

Trump recently acknowledged the efficacy of Russia’s maneuvering on his behalf, which, according to Mueller and U.S. intelligence agencies, included playing a role in the theft and publication of private emails from the Democratic National Committee and Clinton allies, as well as efforts to influence voters by sowing discord through social media. Read more

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