A comprehensive survey of more than 23,000 U.S. adults, conducted by Gallup and the Charles F. Kettering Foundation for the 'Democracy for All' project, reveals that a majority of Americans believe the rule of law in the United States has declined over the last ten years. The timeframe of the study spans from the period surrounding Donald Trump’s first election to the present day.

The findings underscore a tension between public expectations and perceived government conduct. According to the data, 78% of respondents maintain that government officials must strictly adhere to the law and the Constitution at all times. However, the survey suggests that this expectation is not being met in the eyes of the public, as a significant majority of participants expressed the view that the rule of law is weaker now than it was a decade ago.

While the survey provides a broad look at national sentiment, it does not detail specific instances or policies that respondents identified as contributing to this perceived decline. The data reflects a general trend in public opinion regarding institutional integrity and the behavior of elected officials, though the report does not break down how these views might differ across specific political demographics or geographic regions.