A Los Angeles Times column reports on growing concerns among legal experts, including federal judges, attorneys, and law professors, about the state of the U.S.rule of law during President Donald Trump’s administration.

The piece is based on a survey conducted by Bright Line Watch and UCLA’s Safeguarding Democracy Project, which gathered responses from judges, legal scholars, political scientists, and members of the public.

Many respondents expressed alarm over what they perceive as executive overreach, politicization of the Justice Department, and weakening compliance with judicial rulings.

According to the survey findings, a significant majority of legal experts believe federal officials frequently fail to comply with court orders, and many also suspect political appointees in the Justice Department of misleading judges.

The article highlights concerns that the Supreme Court and Congress have not sufficiently checked presidential power, contributing to what some respondents describe as a fragile or strained legal system.One appellate judge quoted in the survey called the current presidency “the greatest threat in decades” to the rule of law.

The column also discusses ideological divisions in interpreting these concerns, noting that conservatives and liberals differ in how they assess threats from different administrations.However, across ideological lines, there is agreement that tensions between the executive branch and the judiciary have intensified.

UCLA law professor Rick Hasen emphasizes that the rule of law is under significant stress, warning that erosion of judicial independence and compliance could undermine democratic accountability and public trust.

Ultimately, the article frames the issue as a broader democratic challenge, arguing that citizens play a key role in protecting institutional integrity through elections and civic engagement.

The author underscores that the health of the legal system is critical to preventing abuses of power and maintaining constitutional checks and balances in the United States.