Poll Indicates Decline in Perception of Rule of Law in the U.S.

A majority of Americans believe the rule of law in the U.S. is weaker now than it was a decade ago, according to a survey conducted by Gallup and the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, which included over 23,000 U.S. adults. The survey found that 78% of respondents believe government officials must always adhere to laws and the Constitution, yet only 28% trust that political leaders will be held accountable for failing to do so. When asked what one step could most improve U.S. democracy, 17% of respondents suggested removing incumbents, reflecting a broader theme of voter dissatisfaction during the midterm campaign. Other suggestions included electoral reform and improved voting access (13%) and limiting executive power (9%). Notably, older Republicans (ages 65 and older) have shown a significant decrease in trust towards election officials, with 42% now believing it is reasonable to assume that election officials acted improperly if election outcomes are surprising, an increase from 30% a year ago. The survey also revealed that 56% of Americans feel the rule of law is weaker now than in 2016, compared to 14% who believe it is stronger, while 29% feel it has remained unchanged. Democrats and independents were more likely than Republicans to view the rule of law as weaker. Additionally, 57% of respondents expressed a preference for candidates who challenge powerful or established interests, while 42% preferred candidates who work within the establishment. Two-thirds of Americans still consider democracy the best form of government, but there is growing pessimism compared to previous years. For instance, 49% of respondents do not agree that U.S. leaders are committed to a strong democracy, up from 44% the previous year. Furthermore, 47% reported feeling comfortable openly expressing their opinions about government and laws, a decrease from 52%. The perception of democracy's performance has worsened, with 56% stating that democracy is doing poorly, up from 51% the year before, largely driven by concerns from Republicans and Republican-leaning independents. Derek Barker, a senior program officer for research initiatives at Kettering, stated, "People care about democracy, and that is something worth building on," emphasizing the need to navigate the current concerns regarding democratic performance and leadership behavior. The Gallup Poll was conducted from April 24 to June 10, 2026, with a sample size of 23,683 U.S. adults aged 18 and older, and has a maximum margin of sampling error of ±1 percentage point at the 95% confidence level.