New Polling Shows Voters Reject Trump’s Attacks on the Courts

Topline Conclusions:

• Voters believe courts should uphold our laws in order to establish core values of fairness and equality, and should hold government officials accountable when they break the law, even when it’s politically difficult.
• Voters are especially alarmed by Trump’s attempts to refuse to obey court orders and his calls for the impeachment of judges who rule against him. 
• Voters see actions taken by Trump and Republicans as an “abuse of power,” and are most fearful of how this affects individual rights. The most concerning outcomes aren’t abstract threats to institutions, but rather consequences for “people” and how this abuse of power may undermine the “fairness” and “equality” they want in courts. This appears in concerns about the government violating their rights without consequence, unfair punishment, and being left powerless to defend themselves.
• Voters are most concerned that Trump’s judicial picks are chosen not on merit but for their loyalty to him.

Trump’s Attacks Cause Significant Alarm

• Americans across the political spectrum are deeply concerned by Trump’s refusal to follow court orders, the threats to impeach judges who rule against him, and his practice of nominating loyalists who prioritize his interests over the Constitution.
  • A 53% majority of Senate battleground voters disapprove of Trump’s handling of the courts — including 89% of Democrats, 55% of independents, and nearly 40% of self-identified non-MAGA Republicans.
• Americans know how important judicial independence is – 92% say it’s important that judges hold government officials accountable when they break the law. And 74% are concerned that Trump ignoring Supreme Court rulings could allow the government to violate their rights with no consequences.
• The real impact is that Trump’s attacks undermine the power of the judiciary as a check against executive overreach — opening the door for him to violate people’s rights with no consequences.
  • Voters are especially worried by Trump’s defiance of the courts — 72% are concerned by his attempts to ignore court orders, with nearly half (47%) calling this “extremely” alarming — and a majority (52%) view his failures to obey court orders as an abuse of power.
• This sets a dangerous precedent for everyone in America: legal protections become meaningless if the government disregards them.

Trump’s Judicial Nominees Seen as Part of His Attacks on the Rule of Law

• Voters are concerned that Trump’s nominees will not protect the law or the rights of the American people — instead, they are loyalty picks who serve his interests.
  • 62% of voters are concerned that Trump’s nominees were picked solely because of their loyalty to Trump, and about as many (63%) say they’re concerned that they’ll refuse to act as a check on his authority.
• Voters’ top concern about these nominees is that loyalty to Trump will undermine their ability to be impartial and follow the Constitution — fueling attacks on fundamental freedoms, like a woman’s right to choose.

Congressional Republicans Are Complicit in These Attacks

• Republicans in Congress are seen as complicit and even contributing to this threat — helping Trump abuse power with legislation that weakens the courts’ ability to hold him accountable.
  • A strong majority (70%) of voters are worried that Trump’s allies are not willing to stand up to him when he violates legal norms, with 43% stating this concern is “extremely” alarming. Nearly the same number (68%) are concerned Trump’s allies are actually helping him violate legal norms without facing consequences. 
  • Voters say those who enable these attacks are betraying their duty to protect the constitution (37%) and are setting the stage for even more extensive abuse of power (42%).

Global Strategy Group, on behalf of Demand Justice, conducted an online survey of 1,000 likely voters in 2026 Senate Battleground states between May 28 and June 1, 2025. 

An equal share of voters was sampled from each of the following Battleground States: Colorado, Georgia, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, and Texas. The poll had a margin of error of 3.1 percent.