New Polls Show Supreme Court Facing Record Low Public Trust
Polls reveal historic lows in public trust and rising threats against Supreme Court justices.
Why it matters: Understanding public sentiment and pressure on the Supreme Court helps legal professionals anticipate how external factors may shape the Court's legitimacy and future decisions.
- 50% of Americans hold unfavorable opinions of the Supreme Court, near a three-decade low as of August 2025.
- The 2025–26 Court term saw 22.7% ideologically split decisions, more than double the 2005–24 average.
- Threats against justices are expected to increase 40% in 2026, prompting a request for $18.9 million to enhance security.
- 69% of Americans favor term limits for justices, according to a September 2025 poll.
Recent polling paints a stark picture of public perception toward the U.S. Supreme Court. A Pew Research Center survey from August 2025 found that half of all Americans view the Court unfavorably, with favorable views hovering near their lowest in 30 years. Simultaneously, an Annenberg Public Policy Center poll showed that 69% of Americans support term limits for Supreme Court justices over lifetime appointments.
The Court itself has experienced increasing ideological rifts. According to The Daily Beast, the 2025-26 term featured 22.7% ideologically split rulings, more than double the 10% average over the previous two decades. This unprecedented polarization fuels public concern about the Court’s impartiality.
Security threats against justices have risen sharply. Justice Elena Kagan told Congress that threats are expected to increase by nearly 40% in 2026 after a 25% rise last year. In response, the Supreme Court has requested $18.9 million to hire more protection agents and cybersecurity experts and establish an off-site security post.
Beyond polling and security concerns, the Court has made highly consequential rulings, reshaping election laws by limiting minority voter protections, allowing gerrymandering, and loosening campaign finance regulations—moves expected to favor Republicans, per political experts. The Court’s increasing political entanglement intensifies scrutiny and public unease about its legitimacy.
In response to these challenges, nearly 30 retired and current judges launched a "Justice in Motion" bus tour across the Rust Belt to raise awareness about threats to judicial independence and the rule of law, emphasizing the judiciary’s crucial role in democracy (Associated Press).
By the numbers:
- 50% unfavorable opinion — Americans' view of the Supreme Court in August 2025
- 22.7% ideologically split decisions — in the 2025–26 Supreme Court term
- 40% projected increase — threats against justices expected in 2026
- $18.9 million requested — for Supreme Court security enhancements
Yes, but: Despite rising threats and public skepticism, the Supreme Court continues to issue pivotal rulings shaping national policy, maintaining its critical judicial role.
What's next: The 2026 midterm elections will test the real-world impact of the Supreme Court’s recent rulings on election laws and voter access.