Poll shows rising concern over executive and judicial power

A recent NBC News poll shows that many American voters feel both the executive branch, led by President Donald Trump, and the courts hold too much power. This comes as a federal judge questions whether Trump's administration broke an order that stopped deportations. The poll, taken from March 7 to 11, reveals a notable shift in opinion since 2019, especially among Democrats. Many Democrats are frustrated with Trump's policies and the Supreme Court's past decisions, such as the 2022 ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. The poll found that 43% of registered voters think the executive branch has too much power, while only 28% believe the same about the courts. In comparison to earlier polling, the concern over the executive branch's power has grown by 7 points since 2019. Among Democrats, a significant 75% now feel the executive branch has too much power, up from 55% in 2019. In contrast, only 15% of Republicans share this view. Political debates are heating up over executive power, with Trump's administration often pushing legal boundaries. Recent cases involve accusations of ignoring court rulings and administrative orders. A federal judge recently criticized the Justice Department for actions that may have violated court directives. This rising tension has led to discussions about the role of judges, especially after Trump suggested impeachment for a judge who blocked his deportation orders. Chief Justice John Roberts responded by stating that impeachment is not an appropriate reaction to a judicial decision. Among Democrats, support for the idea that courts have too much power has also increased from 17% to 31% since 2019. Meanwhile, the belief that Congress has too much power has decreased across all political parties since the last poll.