Supreme Court Approval Hits Record Low Amid Mixed Rulings

The United States Supreme Court’s approval rating has declined sharply among Republicans, according to a recent Gallup poll. This slide follows several rulings during its latest term relating to former President Donald Trump. Many Americans have expressed growing skepticism about the Court’s impartiality.

Rulings and Approval Trends

The Court’s decisions during the recent term have angered both progressives and conservatives. Notable rulings include those on the Voting Rights Act, which critics argue has been weakened, and against Trump’s termination of birthright citizenship. These contributed to an overall approval drop to 33 percent, from 42 percent in September 2025.

Approval among Democrats plummeted in 2022 following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Republicans, previously supportive, have shown decreased approval, dropping from 79 percent in June 2025 to 58 percent in the recent poll. Gallup editor Jeffrey M. Jones highlighted the impact of rulings unfavorable to the Trump administration on Republican views.

Declining Popularity Over Time

The Supreme Court has seen a steady decline in public opinion. Approval hit a record low, continuing a trend from 2025’s 39 percent. In 2020, 58 percent of Americans approved of the Court, but the figure fell to 40 percent by September 2021. Republicans traditionally viewed the Court more favorably than Democrats.

By July 2016, Democrats had a higher approval rate at 60 percent, compared to Republicans at 32 percent. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has raised concerns over the real-world impact of court decisions and public misunderstandings of the Court’s reasoning.

Mixed Rulings on Trump

For Trump-aligned Republicans, certain Supreme Court rulings have been disappointing. In a 6-3 decision, the Court ruled against ending birthright citizenship, blocking a Trump executive order. Additionally, the Court ruled Trump lacked the authority to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and struck down his firing of Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook.

The Court sided with the Trump administration on topics like transgender athletes in sports and other executive authority issues. Left-leaning groups were upset by the Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which redefined parts of the Voting Rights Act. Trump criticized the Court on social media for hindering his policies.

Recent Poll Insights

Other polls align with Gallup’s findings. A Washington Post and Ipsos poll shows 41 percent approval, with 55 percent disapproving. A YouGov poll reports 38 percent approval and 45 percent disapproval, with significant support for new measures like ethics codes and term limits for justices.

Ethics Concerns and Future Cases

Ethics issues have plagued some justices. ProPublica reported Justice Clarence Thomas accepted gifts from GOP donors without disclosure. Justice Samuel Alito’s wife faced criticism for displaying a symbol some associate with unfounded claims about the 2020 election being stolen.

The upcoming Supreme Court term will address significant issues like gun rights, climate litigation, and Title IX protections. Cases such as Viramontes v. Cook County and Suncor Energy Inc. v. Boulder County will test constitutional rights and federal regulatory authority. The Court will reconvene in October to hear these cases.