The Supreme Court of the United States has seen a significant decline in public favorability over the past five years. According to a recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center from July 6-12, 2026, only 45% of Americans hold a favorable opinion of the court, marking a 20 percentage point drop since.
This shift in public perception comes at a time when the court has faced numerous high-profile decisions and controversies. The survey results highlight a growing divide in how different demographic groups view the highest court in the land.
The Decline in Favorability
The Supreme Court’s favorability rating has been on a steady decline since 2026. In April of that year, 65% of Americans viewed the court favorably. However, this number has steadily decreased, reaching 45% in mid-2026. This decline is part of a broader trend of fluctuating public opinion towards the court over the past three decades.
The survey data, collected from the American Trends Panel and other sources, provides a comprehensive look at how different groups perceive the Supreme Court. The results show that the court’s favorability rating is now at a historic low, reflecting a significant shift in public sentiment.
Partisan Divides in Supreme Court Perception
The survey reveals stark differences in how Democrats and Republicans view the Supreme Court. Only 25% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents have a favorable opinion of the court, a dramatic drop from nearly two-thirds in 2026. This shift is largely attributed to the court’s decision to overturn the federal right to abortion in 2026.
In contrast, 69% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents view the court favorably. This partisan divide highlights the polarized nature of public opinion on the Supreme Court, with Republicans generally viewing the court more positively than Democrats.
Perceptions of the Court’s Ideology
Public perceptions of the Supreme Court’s ideology have also evolved. As of mid-2026, 43% of Americans view the court as conservative, while 44% see it as middle of the road. Only 9% describe the court as liberal. These perceptions vary significantly between Democrats and Republicans.
For instance, 67% of Democrats view the court as conservative, compared to just 19% of Republicans. Conversely, 66% of Republicans see the court as middle of the road, while only 27% of Democrats share this view. These differences underscore the deep partisan divisions in how the court’s ideology is perceived.
Views on the Supreme Court’s Power
The survey also explored Americans’ views on the Supreme Court’s power. As of mid-2026, 56% of Americans believe the court has the right amount of power, while 32% think it has too much power. Only 10% feel the court has too little power.
Democrats are more likely to believe the court has too much power, with 43% holding this view. In contrast, 71% of Republicans think the court has the right amount of power. These views have remained relatively stable over the past year, indicating a consistent partisan divide on the issue of judicial power.
Demographic Differences
The survey highlights significant demographic differences in views of the Supreme Court. For example, 67% of Black adults express an unfavorable opinion of the court, compared to roughly half of Hispanic, White, and Asian adults. Additionally, adults under 50 are more likely to view the court unfavorably, while those 50 and older are more evenly split in their opinions.
Education also plays a role in shaping views of the Supreme Court. Americans with a college degree or more education are more likely to view the court negatively than those without a degree. This trend is particularly pronounced among Democrats, where those with higher education levels are more critical of the court.
In contrast, Republicans with higher education levels view the court more favorably than those with less education. This inverse relationship between education and favorability is a notable aspect of the survey results.
The survey also found that 86% of Americans believe Supreme Court justices should not bring their political views into decision-making. This sentiment is shared equally by Democrats and Republicans, indicating a broad consensus on the importance of judicial impartiality.
However, there is a significant divide in how well Americans think the justices uphold this principle. 69% of Democrats believe the justices do a poor job of keeping their politics out of decisions, compared to 47% of Republicans. This disparity highlights the differing expectations and perceptions of judicial neutrality between the two parties.
