A new Pew Research Center survey shows that 69 percent of Americans believe President Donald Trump is trying to exercise more power than his predecessors. Most of those who share this view see it as a negative development for the country.
Nearly half of U.S. adults, about 49 percent, say Trump is attempting to expand presidential authority and that this is bad for the nation. In contrast, only 12 percent view his efforts to increase executive power as a good thing.
Around 21 percent say Trump is using about the same amount of power as previous presidents, while only 2 percent believe he is trying to exercise less.
A Deep Partisan Divide on Trump’s Power and Presidency
The survey highlights a wide partisan divide in how Americans view Trump’s use of presidential power.
Among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, an overwhelming majority believe Trump is pushing the boundaries of executive authority beyond what previous presidents did, and they overwhelmingly view this as bad for the country.
Republicans and Republican-leaning independents are more divided. About half of Republicans, or 49 percent, agree that Trump is trying to exercise more power, but many of them see this as a positive development and as a sign of strong leadership.
Public Opinion on Trump’s Conduct in Office
The Pew survey of 3,455 U.S. adults, conducted between September 22 and 28, also explored how Americans view Trump’s overall performance and conduct while in office.
A majority of respondents believe that since taking office, Trump has improperly used his position in several ways:
- 66 percent say he has used his office to punish critics who speak against him.
- 62 percent believe he has encouraged federal investigations of political rivals.
- 61 percent say he has enriched himself, his family, and friends through his office.
At the same time, many Americans feel Trump has failed to meet the moral and leadership standards expected of a U.S. president. About 64 percent say he has not set a high moral standard, 60 percent say he has not improved the country’s global standing, and another 60 percent say he has not run an open or transparent administration.
Trump’s Job Approval Mirrors These Views
The public’s opinions on Trump’s conduct reflect his overall job approval ratings. According to the survey, 58 percent of Americans disapprove of how Trump is handling his job as president, while 40 percent approve.
These ratings have remained relatively stable, showing that the country remains deeply divided in its views on Trump’s leadership.
Republicans Still Strongly Support Trump’s Leadership
Among Republicans, support for Trump remains strong. At least seven in ten Republicans say Trump has improved the way government works, improved the country’s global standing, and run an open and transparent administration.
A smaller but still solid majority, 63 percent, believe he has set a high moral standard for the presidency. These numbers show a small increase in support compared to earlier years.
By contrast, Democrats almost unanimously disagree. More than nine in ten Democrats say Trump has not improved the functioning of government, has not elevated America’s reputation abroad, and has not shown moral leadership.
Democrats See Trump’s Actions as Improper Use of Office
Democrats are nearly united in their criticism of Trump’s conduct in office. Roughly nine in ten Democrats say he has misused his power to punish critics, used his position for personal gain, and encouraged federal investigations targeting his political opponents.
Among Republicans, opinions are mixed. About 42 percent believe Trump has punished critics unfairly, while 40 percent say he has encouraged improper investigations into political rivals. Around 31 percent acknowledge that he has used his office to enrich himself or his associates.
Public perception has shifted slightly since 2019. More Americans now believe Trump has personally benefited from his position, with 61 percent saying so today compared with 56 percent in 2019. This increase is visible across both parties. About 89 percent of Democrats now hold this view, up from 84 percent in 2019, and 31 percent of Republicans agree, up from 23 percent.
Views on Trump’s Executive Orders
The survey also examined public views of Trump’s use of executive orders, one of the key measures of presidential authority. About half of Americans, 51 percent, say Trump is doing too much by executive order, while only 6 percent say he is doing too little. Around 27 percent believe he is doing about the right amount, while 16 percent remain unsure.
Democrats and Republicans again differ sharply. Eight in ten Democrats say Trump is using executive orders excessively, while only 5 percent think he is using them appropriately. Among Republicans, more than half, or 54 percent, say he is issuing the right amount of executive orders, while 23 percent say he is doing too much.
These numbers closely match the results from earlier surveys conducted in April, showing how stable partisan attitudes toward Trump’s use of power have become.
Comparing Trump’s Power to Previous Presidents
When asked whether Trump is trying to exercise more power than past presidents, sharp differences emerged between Republicans and Democrats.
Among Republicans, 49 percent say he is asserting more power, 41 percent say he is using about the same amount, and 3 percent believe he is using less. Roughly one in four Republicans, or 24 percent, say his expanded use of power is good for the country, while 14 percent think it is bad.
Democrats are nearly unanimous in their view. About 90 percent believe Trump is trying to exercise more power than his predecessors, and 83 percent see this as harmful to the nation. Only a small share, around 1 percent, view it positively.
What the Findings Reveal About American Politics
The Pew Research Center survey highlights the deep polarization defining American politics. For many citizens, views on Trump’s presidency are closely tied to political identity. Democrats tend to view his leadership as a threat to democratic institutions, while Republicans often interpret his assertive style as strength and decisive leadership.
This division reflects a broader debate over the scope of presidential power and how much authority the executive branch should wield. It also raises questions about whether Trump’s approach represents effective governance or an overreach that challenges democratic checks and balances.
Key Takeaways
Approximately 69 percent of Americans believe Trump is trying to exercise more presidential power than his predecessors. Nearly half, or 49 percent, consider this expansion of authority bad for the country, while only 12 percent view it positively.
Majorities believe Trump has used his office to punish critics, enrich himself, and encourage investigations against political opponents. These opinions mirror his job approval ratings, with 58 percent disapproving of his performance overall.
While Democrats see Trump’s presidency as harmful to democracy, Republicans tend to see his assertiveness as necessary and effective leadership. The partisan divide remains one of the most significant features of American politics today.
Final Thoughts
As Donald Trump continues to influence U.S. political life, the debate over presidential power shows no sign of fading. For his supporters, Trump’s willingness to push boundaries reflects strength and determination. For his critics, it represents a dangerous expansion of executive authority that undermines democratic principles.
The Pew Research Center’s latest findings reveal that most Americans believe Trump is exercising more power than his predecessors. The country remains divided over whether that represents leadership or overreach, leaving the question of presidential power at the center of America’s political discourse.