A recent poll conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research has revealed that a majority of Americans believe that Supreme Court justices are more likely to be influenced by their own ideologies rather than serving as neutral arbiters of government authority. The survey found that 7 in 10 Americans think that the justices are guided by ideology, while only about 3 in 10 believe they provide an independent check on other branches of government by being fair and impartial. This lack of confidence in the Supreme Court reflects a broader trend of diminishing trust in the institution, which was once more widely respected just a decade ago.
The erosion of confidence in the Supreme Court poses a significant challenge for the nine justices, who are split between six appointed by Republican presidents and three by Democrats. The poll indicates that many Americans are already uneasy about the court’s ability to rule impartially, particularly in high-profile cases like the immunity of former President Donald Trump from criminal charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. This growing perception of the court as politically motivated undermines its credibility as an independent and impartial institution.
Despite the court’s conservative majority delivering victories for Republican policy priorities, including recent rulings on abortion rights and gun restrictions, confidence in the court remains low among rank-and-file Republicans. Only about half of Republicans have faith in the court’s handling of important issues such as gun policy, abortion, elections, and presidential power and immunity. Some Republicans believe that the justices are more influenced by personal ideology, while others see them as an independent check on government branches. The court’s current conservative makeup has not translated into unqualified support from all Republicans.
Democrats and independents are even more skeptical of the court’s neutrality, with about 8 in 10 Democrats and 7 in 10 independents believing that the justices shape the law to fit their own ideology. This lack of confidence extends to specific issues like abortion, gun policy, and presidential power and immunity. The politicization of the Supreme Court, highlighted by events like the refusal to hold hearings for Merrick Garland in 2016 and the swift confirmation of Neil Gorsuch by President Trump, has further eroded public trust in the institution. For many Americans, the court is viewed as a tool used to advance political agendas rather than uphold the rule of law.
Overall, the poll reflects a deepening divide in public perception of the Supreme Court, with Americans across the political spectrum questioning the court’s ability to remain neutral and impartial. The challenges faced by the justices in navigating these perceptions, as well as the ongoing polarization of American politics, underscore the need for greater transparency and accountability in the judiciary. The Supreme Court’s role as a check on government power and a defender of constitutional principles is increasingly called into question, as Americans grapple with the intersection of law, politics, and justice in the modern era.
