AP Poll: Voters Fear Presidential Overreach More Than Courts/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A new AP-NORC poll shows most Americans believe President Donald Trump is overreaching his executive power, while far fewer say the same about the federal judiciary. Republicans tend to view the courts as overstepping instead. The poll highlights rising anxiety about unchecked presidential authority amid Trump’s aggressive use of executive power.
Poll: Americans Say Trump Has Too Much Power – Quick Looks
- Half of U.S. adults believe Trump holds too much power
- Only 3 in 10 say courts have excessive authority
- Majority of Republicans view judiciary as overreaching
- 6 in 10 Americans say Trump has “gone too far”
- Democrats overwhelmingly concerned about Trump’s power usage
- Views of presidential authority have shifted since Biden left office
- Public support for checks and balances remains strong
- Poll underscores rising political polarization on institutional power
Deep Look: AP-NORC Poll Reveals Growing Concern Over Trump’s Use of Presidential Power
WASHINGTON — As President Donald Trump faces judicial pushback across a range of policy fronts, a new national survey reveals a striking contrast in public perceptions of overreach: Americans are significantly more likely to believe Trump is exceeding his authority than they are to say the courts are.
According to a poll conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, about half of U.S. adults say the president currently has “too much power” in determining how the federal government operates. In contrast, only 3 in 10 think the federal courts wield too much authority — a clear indicator that public skepticism is more focused on the executive branch than the judiciary.
Partisan Divide on Power
The divide becomes even sharper along party lines. Among Republicans, nearly half say federal judges hold too much power, while just 20% believe the president does. By contrast, 90% of Democrats say Trump has gone too far in using presidential powers, joined by about 60% of independents.
“He’s got too much power,” said Brie Horshaw, a Democrat from Los Angeles. “It goes beyond what a president would normally do.”
The findings reflect a broader concern about how Trump has reshaped the presidency — leveraging executive orders, defying court rulings, and bypassing Congress to implement major portions of his agenda, including tariffs, immigration crackdowns, and federal workforce reductions.
Courts as a Check
With Congress largely deferring to Trump — especially under Republican control — the federal judiciary has become the primary institutional check on the administration. Yet, even as some rulings have blocked key Trump policies, public confidence in the courts has held relatively firm.
Among Democrats, only 17% say federal judges have too much power. Republicans are more critical of the judiciary, but still generally support the conservative-majority Supreme Court, with only one-quarter expressing concern about its authority.
Shift from Biden to Trump Era
Public views on executive power have shifted significantly since last year, when Democrat Joe Biden was in office. In March 2024, just 32% of U.S. adults said the president had too much power. That figure has now risen to 50%, with the shift especially pronounced among Democrats and independents.
- Democrats: 70-point increase in saying president has too much power
- Independents: 20-point increase
- Republicans: Decrease from 46% to 23% saying president overreaches
“They both had the same power. They might choose to use it differently,” said Linda Seck, a retired nurse and Trump supporter. “He’s not crossing the line — he’s driving next to it.”
Seck applauded Trump’s use of executive power, particularly his efforts to reduce the federal workforce and bypass congressional approval in coordination with adviser Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Trust in Trump’s Leadership Dips
Multiple polls reinforce the AP-NORC findings. A recent CNN-SSRS poll found that only 46% of Americans have confidence in Trump’s ability to wield power responsibly — down from 54% in December.
The Pew Research Center reported that a majority of Americans believe Trump is relying too heavily on executive orders, with concerns growing about unilateral policymaking.
Courts Still Seen as Necessary Safeguard
Even as some Republican voters worry about judicial activism, bipartisan majorities agree that presidents should not override court decisions. A Fox News poll found that two-thirds of Americans reject the idea that the president can ignore the Supreme Court, regardless of whether he disagrees with its rulings.
“I don’t think a district judge should be able to overrule the federal government,” said Seck, “but I believe in checks and balances.”
Still, many voters worry that partisan dynamics in Congress have eroded those constitutional checks.
“With our political parties, it doesn’t become what’s best,” said Lynn Cohee, a Texas-based Democrat. “It becomes like sports — and I want to see my team win.”
Cohee said he’s alarmed by Trump’s aggressive policies, including mass deportations and potential foreign interventions, and fears the legislative branch is failing to assert its authority.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.