In 2016, a significant shift occurred in U.S. politics, marked by Senate Republicans rejecting the president's constitutional right to nominate a Supreme Court justice. This action represented a troubling deviation from established political norms and practices, highlighting the increasing partisanship within the government. Such incidents raised concerns about the health of democratic institutions in the country.

This normative breakdown demonstrated how changes in political behavior can undermine democratic processes. The refusal to allow a presidential nomination was unprecedented and signaled a deeper divide in political ideology, reflecting broader trends that threaten the balance of power and cooperation in governance.