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The Court of Public Opinion: The Limited Effects of Elite Rhetoric about Prosecuting Political Leaders
Research

The Court of Public Opinion: The Limited Effects of Elite Rhetoric about Prosecuting Political Leaders

Criminal prosecutions of political leaders have become salient election issues in the United States and globally, yet few studies have examined how such prosecutions affect public opinion.

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By Daniel B. Markovits and Andrew O’Donohue
Published on Sep 2, 2025
United StatesDomestic PoliticsPolitical Reform

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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