The country has become so divided, some scholars say, that leaders of the three branches are often more loyal to their parties than to their institutions.

In a dissent of a Supreme Court ruling, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor said: "Today's order clarifies only one thing: Other litigants must follow the rules, but the administration has the Supreme Court on speed dial.

The conservative-leaning Supreme Court has allowed the United States to deport eight migrants being held at a military base in Djibouti to war-torn South Sudan.