We saw this come through in three instances.
First, when Trump tried to subtly coerce Comey into letting Flynn off. Comey refused and made notes.
Second, when Trump wanted Ukraine to go after Biden. He didn’t use the DoJ because he knew they wouldn’t allow him to corrupt their department. So he used Giuliani who was loyal to Trump.
Third, when Trump wanted the DoJ to help him with his election fraud nonsense. He wanted to put the one loser who would help him, Jeff Clark, but the lawyers at the DoJ told him they would all resign and put him on blast for corrupting the department.
This is what happens when you try to misuse the government.
That’s why strong institutions matter and that’s what Trump calls the “deep state”