Public Doubts Checks On Presidents

A significant share of Americans believes legal constraints rarely stop presidents from illegal actions: 17% say presidents are never deterred because actions would be blocked on legal grounds, and 25% say they are rarely deterred. One in five (21%) say presidents are never deterred from committing crimes at all. Partisan gaps show Democrats more likely than Republicans to think legal safeguards won’t bite. — If many voters think the presidency is effectively above the law, confidence in checks and balances erodes and legitimizes hardball tactics or judicial skepticism.