Majority of Americans see U.S. in constitutional crisis
The results of a survey conducted by the international research firm YouGov are concerning. On February 6, 1,106 U.S. residents were asked about the political situation in their country. A total of 54% of Americans believe the United States is experiencing a constitutional crisis, while 27% consider this assessment to be exaggerated.
The United States may be heading towards a "constitutional crisis" or "systemic breakdown." Legal and constitutional experts warned about this on Sunday after Vice President J.D. Vance suggested that judges do not have jurisdiction over the "lawful power" of President Donald Trump.
"If a judge tried to tell a general how to conduct a military operation, it would be illegal. If a judge tried to dictate to the attorney general how to exercise her discretion as a prosecutor, that would be illegal as well," Vance wrote on X, adding that judges cannot control lawful executive power.
Constitutional crisis in the U.S.: 54% of Americans think so
According to NBC News, it was not clear which judge or court order Vance was referring to. Some of Trump's executive orders have already been challenged in court in over two dozen lawsuits, and judges have temporarily halted many of them.
On Saturday, a federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump Government Efficiency Department and tech billionaire Elon Musk from accessing sensitive Treasury Department payment systems and personal data. This was a response after 19 attorneys general sued the administration.
Jamal Greene, a professor at Columbia Law School, pointed out in a conversation with NBC News that the tweet does not have legal force. "He did not promise unlawful behaviour," the professor said.
"A corrupt judge protects corruption," Musk wrote. "He must be impeached NOW!". NBC News notes that the courts would have limited ways to punish the president for violating their rulings, but Congress has the ability to intervene.
This turmoil at the top of power in Washington is affecting public opinion. This is indicated by the YouGov survey, in which as many as 54% of respondents indicated that a constitutional crisis has occurred in the U.S. 27% disagree with this assessment, while 19% have no opinion on the matter.
Source: NBCNews.com/X
