Should Trump Have More Power? Most Republicans Say No—And Want Congress To Push Back, Poll Finds

Forbes - Mar 30th, 2025

A recent CBS News/YouGov poll reveals that a majority of Americans, including a significant portion of Republicans, want GOP lawmakers and the judiciary to push back against President Donald Trump when necessary. While 63% of Republicans support congressional opposition to Trump’s policies if they disagree, 79% of the overall respondents endorse this sentiment. Similarly, 56% of Republicans approve of the judicial review of Trump's policies. Nonetheless, the Republican base remains largely supportive of Trump's policy initiatives, with high approval ratings for his handling of the economy, immigration, and international affairs.

The poll underscores a complex relationship between Republican voters and President Trump, reflecting approval of his policy actions but a hesitance to grant him unchecked power. This sentiment is set against a backdrop of Trump's executive actions aimed at increasing presidential authority. Concerns also emerge over issues like economic management and the use of encrypted communication for sensitive discussions, as highlighted by the Signalgate incident. These findings underscore the delicate balance Republicans navigate between supporting Trump's agenda and maintaining institutional checks and balances.

Donald Trump Elon Musk Republican Party Tariffs Department Of Government Efficiency U.S. Economy Cbs News/You Gov Poll Signalgate Presidential Power Judicial Review

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RATING

7.4

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a factual and timely analysis of Republican opinions on President Trump's power and policies, supported by credible poll data. It effectively highlights key issues of public interest, such as presidential authority and congressional oversight. However, the focus on Republican perspectives limits the balance, and the lack of methodological transparency affects the overall clarity. The puzzling reference to Elon Musk and the fictional department detracts from the article's accuracy and clarity, but the piece remains relevant and informative for readers interested in political dynamics. Enhancing balance by incorporating more diverse viewpoints and providing methodological details would strengthen the article's quality.

Accuracy

The article presents data from a CBS News/YouGov poll, which is a reputable source, lending credibility to the claims about Republican opinions on Trump's power and policies. The figures provided, such as 32% of Republicans wanting Trump to have more power and 63% advocating for congressional pushback, are specific and appear consistent with the poll's findings. However, the reference to Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency seems misplaced and lacks context, as no such department exists in reality, indicating a potential inaccuracy or misinterpretation. Overall, while most claims are supported by the poll data, this discrepancy suggests the need for careful verification.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on Republican viewpoints regarding President Trump's power and policies, which may limit the range of perspectives. While it mentions overall public opinion, the emphasis on Republican responses could lead to a skewed perception of broader public sentiment. The inclusion of Democratic and Independent opinions is minimal, and the article could benefit from a more balanced representation of differing political perspectives to provide a fuller picture of the national mood.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and straightforward, with a logical structure that guides the reader through the poll's findings. However, the introduction of the Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency segment is confusing and lacks context, detracting from the overall clarity. The language is neutral and accessible, but the article could benefit from clearer explanations of some points, particularly those that deviate from the main focus on Trump's power and policies.

Source quality

The primary source of information, a CBS News/YouGov poll, is highly credible and well-regarded in the field of public opinion research. This lends significant authority to the article's claims. The use of a reputable poll as the basis for the article suggests a high level of reliability. However, the absence of additional sources or expert commentary to provide context or analysis slightly reduces the overall quality of the sourcing.

Transparency

The article lacks detailed information on the methodology of the CBS News/YouGov poll, such as sample size or margin of error, which affects transparency. While it effectively conveys the poll's findings, the absence of methodological details makes it difficult for readers to fully assess the reliability of the data. Additionally, the article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases, which are important for maintaining transparency in reporting.