Public trust in the nation’s highest judicial body has hit an unprecedented nadir in national polling. According to a landmark Gallup survey released following the conclusion of the 2025–2026 term, public approval of the U.S. Supreme Court has plunged to an all-time low. The survey reveals that a shrinking portion of the American electorate now approves of the institution’s overall performance, alongside a sharp rise in general public dissatisfaction.
As highlighted in the report, “Americans’ approval of the job the U.S. Supreme Court is doing has fallen to a record low of 33%, driven by a steep drop in Republicans’ backing of the court since last year.” Meanwhile, court disapproval surged to a record high of 61%, marking a dramatic shift in public perception compared to two decades ago when solid majorities consistently expressed confidence in the bench.
The primary catalyst behind this historic slump is a sudden, substantial deterioration in support among GOP voters. Approval among Republicans dropped precipitously from 79% last fall to 58%. Observers attribute this slide to high-profile rulings that thrashed key policy goals of the Trump administration. While conservative justices handed down rulings favorable to the executive branch—such as expanding presidential authority to fire heads of independent regulatory agencies and upholding restrictions on transgender athletes in women’s sports—other major decisions alienated conservative voters. Crucially, the bench struck down presidential tariffs imposed without explicit congressional authorization, invalidated an executive order restricting birthright citizenship, and blocked the immediate removal of a Federal Reserve governor on constitutional due process grounds.
Trump Approval Sinks As Americans Criticize His Major Policies, Poll Finds
By contrast, ratings among opposition voters remained stagnant at historic lows. Approval among Democrats stands at just 12%, where it has hovered since the tribunal established a firm 6-3 conservative majority. Independent voters showed little change, registering 35% approval. Gallup notes that partisan polarization regarding the judiciary has nearly doubled over the past decade, creating a deep ideological rift in how citizens evaluate judicial decisions.
Ultimately, the survey results underscore a growing institutional challenge for the high tribunal. Summarizing the historic magnitude of the survey findings, Gallup observed that “Americans have not been more displeased with the U.S. Supreme Court at any point in at least the last 26 years.” As key constitutional decisions continue to intersect directly with fierce national political battles, maintaining broad public faith in the court’s constitutional authority remains a vital ongoing concern for the bench moving forward.
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