Sharing the Facts On Americans’ Views About Government Respecting Court Rulings

When a federal court issues a ruling, it’s not a suggestion—it’s the law. Even the president must comply. However, the Trump administration recently refused to comply with a federal court ruling that it must restore funding improperly withheld from states. This defiance left states without critical resources for education, disaster relief, and programs like Medicaid.

States United partnered with YouGov on a national survey to better understand Americans’ views on the president respecting court rulings. Majorities of Americans across political parties agree that Trump should respect court rulings, even when the courts declare that his administration’s actions are illegal or unconstitutional. Even so, everyday Americans also need to hear from their leaders about what is happening and what is at stake.

Here are some ways to talk about the executive branch respecting court rulings and the importance of our constitutional system of checks and balances:

On checks and balances

• The Constitution divides power between the states, Congress, the courts, and the president. When a president disregards the courts, he is breaking the very system that protects the rights and freedoms of all Americans.

On executive power

• When a federal court issues a ruling, it is not a suggestion—it is the law. Even the president must comply.
• Trump is taking power that does not belong to him. The Trump administration’s refusal to comply with a court order is a dangerous overreach that threatens the foundation of our democracy.

On the rule of law

• American democracy is built on the rule of law. Ignoring a federal court order is a direct attack on our system of government.

On unlawful interference with federal funding

• This isn’t an abstract legal debate—it’s about whether it’s legal for the Executive Branch to take away kids’ access to school meals, stop seniors from getting medications, and abandon communities recovering from natural disasters. The courts said no. Defying them hurts real people.
• Governors, attorneys general, and state leaders are working to protect their residents, but Trump’s refusal to follow court rulings has left them scrambling. States shouldn’t have to spend time and resources fighting unlawful executive orders just to keep essential services running.
• States and the federal government work together to serve Americans. But by illegally blocking funding for critical programs, the Trump administration is breaking that partnership with states and abandoning its responsibilities to the American people.