Nope, we elected a populist. Only now he seems to have been told he has two options, play ball, or risk impeachment at the worst or nonstop smears and investigations at best, with zero accomplishments. Plus he has to deal with Ivanka's tears. So he probably is rationalizing it, like paying off the mafia to get a project built.
I don't think Trump understood the concept of separation of powers before he entered office. He is getting quite an education.