The Square Deal was President Theodore Roosevelt's domestic program. He explained in 1910: When I say that I am for the square deal, I mean not merely that I stand for fair play under the present rules of the game, but that I stand for having those rules changed so as to work for a more substantial equality of opportunity and of reward for equally good service. During his second term, Roosevelt tried to extend his Square Deal further, but was blocked by conservative Republicans in Congress. Roosevelt distrusted federal and state courts.