Pew Research: Most Americans Oppose Expanding Presidential Powers

A recent Pew Research Center survey reveals that a majority of Americans oppose expanding presidential powers, though views vary significantly by political affiliation. The study, conducted in early 2025, underscores the ongoing debate over executive authority and constitutional limits.

Widespread Concern Over Presidential Power

The survey found that 78% of Americans express concerns about increasing presidential power in general. When asked specifically about former President Donald Trump, 65% of respondents said giving him more power would be “too risky.”

Sharp Partisan Divides on Executive Authority

The study, which surveyed over 5,000 U.S. adults, highlighted significant differences in opinion based on party affiliation. Among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, a striking 90% viewed expanding Trump’s presidential power as too risky.

In contrast, 59% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents believed that national issues could be handled more effectively if Trump had fewer constraints from Congress and the courts.

Impact of Party Identification

The survey also revealed differences based on the strength of party identification:

• Among strong Republicans, 78% supported expanding Trump’s authority.

• However, among less-committed Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, support dropped to around 46%–47%.

This suggests that loyalty to the Republican Party plays a significant role in shaping attitudes toward executive power.

Shifting Views Based on Party in Power

The findings also show that attitudes toward presidential authority fluctuate depending on which party controls the White House.

• Republicans' skepticism of executive power has declined since Biden took office, with 66% now viewing expanded presidential power as too risky—similar to their stance during Trump’s first term.

• Democrats, however, have become more wary, with concerns about executive power increasing by 17 percentage points since Biden’s presidency. Today, 89% of Democrats believe expanding presidential authority is too risky.

Balancing Governance and Constitutional Checks

These findings highlight a core challenge in American democracy: how to balance effective governance with the need for constitutional checks and balances. While political gridlock often leads to calls for stronger executive action, the majority of Americans favor maintaining limits on presidential power.

However, this commitment to checks and balances appears to weaken when a person’s preferred party is in office, raising critical questions about whether Americans prioritize constitutional principles over partisan advantages.

Conclusion: Preference for Divided Government

Despite growing frustrations with political gridlock, the research suggests that most Americans ultimately value the safeguards of divided government over concentrated presidential authority. This underscores the importance of institutional checks in preserving democratic stability—even amid deep political divides.