February 23, 2026 at 05:00AM
Checks and balances aren’t working under Trump, growing majority says
Two-thirds of Americans say the system of checks and balances among the White House, Congress, and the courts is not working well, according to a PBS News/NPR/Marist Poll released ahead of President Trump’s State of the Union address.
The poll suggests growing concern about institutional checks and balances during Trump’s presidency, highlighting perceived dysfunction in how power is distributed and restrained across branches.
Respondents indicate a broad dissatisfaction with the balance of power, signaling potential implications for governance and legislative cooperation in the current political climate.