Analysis: New research shows broad backing for different parts of the U.S. system of checks and balances, though Republicans are more likely to back stronger presidential power.

Americans do not think the president should have the ability to act unconstrained by the courts and Congress, according to new research on U.S. attitudes on checks and balances. But views on that question are divided by party amid Donald Trump’s running battle with judges over his administration’s policies.

A growing list of policy changes ordered by Trump since he was sworn in have been at least temporarily blocked by federal judges after being challenged in court, including his moves to end birthright citizenship, give DOGE employees access to the Treasury Department’s payment systems, reduce the indirect cost recovery rate for all grants issued by the National Institutes of Health, eliminate the U.S. Agency for International Development, and more.

According to a study by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, at least 17 policies were blocked this way in the first two months of the second administration, compared to 19 such blockages during the entire Obama administration and 24 during the Biden administration.