(CNN) — President Donald Trump’s demand that his own Justice Department hand over $230 million as compensation for federal investigations into his behavior is an unprecedented example of how his past indictment lingers over the presidency.

His ask, made through administrative claims filed in 2023 and 2024 — and reported as of Wednesday to be still on the table by the New York Times — also shines a light on the possible ethics conflicts that arise from his decision to install his former defense lawyers to run the Justice Department.

Trump now has the ability to sue the federal government and leave the courts to decide whether he was harmed and deserved compensation. But, the saga could also end with his own Justice Department negotiating with him, and choosing to cut a deal that woul

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