A majority of Americans express dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court’s recent rulings, with many perceiving the court’s decisions as politically motivated rather than legally grounded, according to a new national poll. The survey, conducted in early July 2026, indicates that 55 percent of respondents disapprove of the high court’s performance, while 41 percent approve—figures that reflect consistently low approval ratings in recent years.

The Washington Post-Ipsos poll revealed that 46 percent of Americans believe the justices rule on cases involving former President Donald Trump’s policies based on ideology rather than the law, while only 25 percent view their decisions as legally driven. Nearly 30 percent of those surveyed declined to express an opinion on this matter. Among those who see political bias, two-thirds think the court’s decisions generally favored Trump, while 17 percent believe the court mostly opposed him.

Partisan divisions are stark. Approximately two-thirds of Republicans approve of the court’s work, contrasting sharply with three-quarters of Democrats who disapprove. Independents also show a majority disapproval rate at nearly 60 percent. Despite these low ratings, the court’s approval remains higher than that of other branches of government; President Trump’s approval rating lingers in the low 30s, while congressional approval stands at just 10 percent, according to separate polls.

The recent term, which concluded in June, showcased a complex pattern of rulings. The Supreme Court delivered significant victories for the Trump administration by expanding presidential authority and permitting the deportation of hundreds of thousands of immigrants living legally in the U.S. At the same time, the court imposed limits on the administration by upholding birthright citizenship and blocking broad tariffs on foreign goods. It also ruled that Trump could not immediately remove a Democratic member of the Federal Reserve Board.

The court’s involvement in election-related cases has further heightened political tensions. Its June decision to weaken aspects of the 1965 Voting Rights Act drew criticism from Democrats who argue the ruling will advantage Republicans in upcoming congressional contests. Similarly, the court sided with congressional Republicans in easing restrictions on political party campaign spending—a move that could bolster GOP efforts despite its ostensibly neutral application.

Over recent years, public perception of the court’s ideological leaning has shifted. A 2025 study found that 47 percent of Americans considered the Supreme Court conservative, while 44 percent viewed it as moderate. This aligns with broader concerns about partisanship influencing judicial decisions, particularly after landmark cases such as the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 and the granting of presidential immunity for official acts in 2024.

Supreme Court justices have consistently rejected claims that political bias influences their rulings. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. emphasized impartiality during his 2005 confirmation process, likening his role to “calling balls and strikes.” Justice Amy Coney Barrett also defended the court’s independence in 2021, characterizing it as “not comprised of a bunch of partisan hacks.”

The July poll surveyed 2,648 adults across the United States through an online panel, with a margin of error of plus or minus 1.9 percentage points. The sample was adjusted to reflect demographic and political characteristics consistent with the anticipated 2024 electorate.