Marquette Law Poll: Supreme Court Approval Dips to 47% in July

• The Marquette Law Poll conducted in July found overall Supreme Court approval at 47% and disapproval at 53%.
• Republican approval of the Court stood at 74%, while only 22% of Democrats approved.
• Ideological approval ranged from 80% among very conservatives to just 5% among very liberals.
• A majority of adults, 55%, believed the Court ruled in favor of the Trump administration almost always or most of the time.

This wide range of approval, spanning from 80% to a mere 5%, powerfully demonstrates the profound impact of ideological alignment on public perception of the Supreme Court's legitimacy and effectiveness, reflecting broader societal polarization.

The latest Marquette Law Poll Supreme Court approval July findings reveal a slight dip in public confidence, with overall approval for the nation's highest judicial body standing at 47%. This figure, recorded from a comprehensive survey conducted between July 22 and 29, indicates a marginal decrease from the 46% approval rating observed just two months prior in May. Conversely, a majority of respondents, 53%, expressed disapproval of the Court's performance during the same July period, signaling a prevailing sentiment of dissatisfaction among the general populace. The poll, one of six conducted annually by Marquette Law School, consistently tracks public opinion on the Court's work and specific case outcomes.

Beyond partisan leanings, the Marquette Law Poll Supreme Court approval July data further illuminates an even more pronounced ideological divide SCOTUS approval. Among those identifying as very conservative, approval soared to 80%, indicating robust support for the Court's direction and its recent rulings. This high level of approval gradually decreased through the ideological spectrum, with 72% of somewhat conservative individuals still expressing a favorable view of the Court's performance. The findings suggest a strong correlation between conservative ideology and positive perceptions of the Supreme Court.

The decline in favorable views continued sharply among more centrist and liberal groups, highlighting the widening chasm in judicial trust. Moderates showed a 42% approval rate, a significant drop from conservative segments, while only 17% of somewhat liberal adults approved of the Court's performance. The most significant drop was observed among very liberal respondents, where approval plummeted to just 5%. This wide range of approval, spanning from 80% to a mere 5%, powerfully demonstrates the profound impact of ideological alignment on public perception of the Supreme Court's legitimacy and effectiveness, reflecting broader societal polarization.

The recent term saw President Donald Trump and his administration frequently featured in the Supreme Court's merits and emergency dockets, undeniably shaping public perception of the institution. The Marquette Law Poll Supreme Court approval July survey specifically delved into how the public views the Court's handling of cases involving the Trump administration, offering insights into the Trump administration Supreme Court perception. A majority of adults, 55%, believed the Court had ruled in favor of Trump or his administration "almost always or most of the time," suggesting a perception of judicial alignment with the executive branch during that period.

Conversely, 45% of respondents held the view that the Court had sided with the Trump administration "only some of the time or almost never," indicating a belief in greater judicial independence or less frequent alignment. This relatively close split in perception, however, conceals a substantial difference when analyzed by party identification, suggesting that political leanings heavily influence how individuals interpret the Court's impartiality in high-profile cases. The prominence of the Trump administration's legal challenges on the Court's agenda underscores how specific political contexts can profoundly color overall public trust and approval ratings in judicial institutions.

Lawyers should note the strong partisan and ideological divides in public perception of the Supreme Court, as these dynamics can influence political responses to rulings and public reception of legal outcomes, which may be relevant for strategic client advice in politically sensitive cases.

Source: Original reporting via Marquette Law School Poll