The U.S. Supreme Court's public approval rating remains mired near its lowest point on record, according to fresh data from the Pew Research Center. The latest figures, released on July 30, 2026, show that favorable views of the high court have barely budged, underscoring a persistent erosion of trust in the judiciary.

Approval Numbers Flatline Despite High-Profile Rulings

Pew's newest survey reveals that only a slim share of Americans hold a positive view of the Supreme Court, a figure that has remained essentially unchanged over the past year. The court's approval has been hovering near historic lows since a series of controversial decisions and ethics scandals shook public confidence.

Even as the court handed down decisions on hot-button issues ranging from abortion to gun rights, the public's mood has not shifted significantly. Analysts note that the court's reputation has become increasingly polarized along partisan lines, with sharp divides between Democrats and Republicans.

What's Driving the Decline?

Several factors contribute to the sustained low approval. Ethical controversies involving justices, including undisclosed gifts and potential conflicts of interest, have fueled perceptions of impropriety. Additionally, highly charged rulings have made the court a central battleground in the nation's culture wars, further alienating segments of the public.

  • Only about a third of Americans express a favorable opinion of the court, a figure that has barely moved since the previous survey.
  • Disapproval ratings remain significantly higher, with a majority now viewing the court unfavorably.
  • Independents, who often swing public sentiment, show increasingly negative views of the institution.

Partisan Gaps Widen

The partisan divide over the Supreme Court has widened considerably over the past decade. While Republicans have historically held more favorable views of the court, their approval has dipped as well, though less dramatically than among Democrats. The current data suggest that only a minority of both parties view the court favorably, a stark departure from earlier decades when the court enjoyed broad bipartisan support.

Pew's research indicates that trust in the judicial branch is now at its lowest ebb since the organization began tracking the metric. The trend mirrors broader declines in public confidence in other national institutions, but the court's slide has been particularly steep.

Implications for the Judiciary's Legitimacy

Legal scholars warn that sustained low approval could undermine the court's legitimacy, making it harder for the institution to command compliance with its decisions. Without public backing, the court's ability to serve as an impartial arbiter of constitutional disputes comes into question.

"When public confidence erodes, the court's moral authority weakens," said one constitutional law expert. "If rulings are seen as politically motivated, the foundation of the judiciary's power is threatened."

The Supreme Court's approval rating is not just a number—it reflects the health of the American democratic system. As the nation heads into another election cycle, the court's role in shaping policy will likely remain a contentious issue, and its standing with the public may continue to falter.

Key Takeaways

  • Favorable views of the Supreme Court remain near historic lows, with little improvement in the latest Pew Research Center survey.
  • Partisan polarization and ethics concerns are key drivers of the decline.
  • The court's legitimacy may be at stake if public trust does not recover.