Here’s what happened.
Public confidence in the U.S. Supreme Court has fallen to its lowest level in more than two decades, according to a newly released Gallup survey, with one of the biggest shifts coming from Republican voters. The new numbers arrive after a series of high-profile rulings involving President Donald Trump, executive authority, immigration policy, and the powers of the federal government.
The Gallup poll, released Tuesday, found that 33% of Americans say they have confidence in the Supreme Court. That is the lowest level Gallup has recorded in the past 26 years and represents a six-point decline from last year, highlighting growing concerns about the nation’s highest court across much of the electorate.
Perhaps the most surprising finding was the sharp decline in Republican confidence. Support among GOP voters fell to 58%, down from 79% recorded last September. Confidence among independents measured 35%, while Democratic confidence remained largely unchanged at 12%. Democratic support for the court has remained low since President Trump appointed three conservative justices during his first term, creating the current 6-3 conservative majority.
The survey follows one of the Supreme Court’s most closely watched terms in recent history, with the justices issuing landmark decisions on immigration, presidential authority, and federal agencies that generated strong reactions from supporters and critics alike.
Supreme Court Rules on Immigration Policy
One of the court’s most discussed rulings involved the Trump administration’s decision to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for thousands of migrants from Haiti and Syria.
TPS is a federal program that allows eligible individuals from designated countries experiencing war, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions to temporarily remain and work legally in the United States. The administration argued that the program had expanded well beyond its original purpose and that immigration laws should be enforced more consistently.
The Supreme Court allowed the administration’s policy to move forward, clearing the way for the removal of temporary legal protections for many affected migrants.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor strongly disagreed with the decision, writing in a dissent that ending those protections could expose vulnerable individuals to dangerous conditions if they are forced to return to unstable regions.
Expanded Presidential Authority
Another major ruling strengthened presidential authority over officials serving in independent federal agencies.
In a decision that overturned more than 90 years of legal precedent, the Supreme Court ruled that presidents have broader authority to remove certain executive branch officials. The decision affirmed President Trump’s ability to dismiss former Federal Trade Commissioner Rebecca Slaughter, a Democratic appointee, along with other senior officials.
Supporters of the ruling argued that elected presidents should have greater control over executive branch agencies in order to carry out the policies voters elected them to implement.
Critics warned that the decision could significantly increase presidential power by reducing the independence of federal agencies designed to operate with limited political influence.
Justice Sotomayor, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, wrote in dissent that the ruling grants presidents substantially greater authority than previous administrations possessed.
Not Every Decision Favored Trump
Although the Supreme Court handed the administration several significant victories, the justices did not rule in President Trump’s favor in every major case this term.
The court declined to fully support the administration’s position on birthright citizenship and also rejected portions of the administration’s legal arguments involving the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and tariffs imposed on foreign nations.
Those rulings underscored that the court continues to evaluate each case independently, despite ongoing public debate surrounding its conservative majority.
Debate Over Supreme Court Reform Continues
The latest poll has also renewed discussion about proposals to reform the Supreme Court.
One proposal, known as the Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization (TERM) Act, would establish 18-year term limits for both current and future Supreme Court justices.
The legislation was originally introduced by Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia in 2022 and later reintroduced in Congress.
Supporters argue that fixed terms would make the court more accountable to the American people while creating a more predictable appointment process. Opponents counter that lifetime appointments help protect judicial independence by insulating justices from political pressure.
The proposal has yet to gain enough support to become law, but it remains part of the broader national conversation over the future of the federal judiciary.
Why Republican Confidence May Be Falling
Political analysts note that declining Republican confidence does not necessarily reflect opposition to the court’s conservative philosophy.
Instead, many voters have expressed frustration that the Supreme Court has not consistently sided with the Trump administration in several high-profile legal disputes. While conservatives welcomed many of this term’s rulings, decisions involving birthright citizenship and presidential trade authority disappointed some supporters who had hoped for broader victories.
The mixed results have fueled renewed debate among both conservatives and liberals over the proper role of the judiciary and how much influence the courts should have over presidential actions.
Why This Matters
The Supreme Court remains one of the most powerful institutions in the federal government, with its decisions shaping immigration policy, constitutional rights, executive authority, and the balance of power between Washington’s branches of government.
As confidence in the court reaches a historic low, lawmakers, legal experts, and voters are expected to continue debating the court’s role, possible reforms, and the long-term impact of its recent rulings. Those discussions are likely to remain a major issue as the country heads toward future elections and additional legal challenges involving the Trump administration.
According to Gallup, the nationwide survey was conducted between July 1 and July 19 and included interviews with 1,200 U.S. adults. The poll carries a margin of sampling error of plus or minus four percentage points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did confidence in the Supreme Court decline?
Gallup’s latest survey found overall confidence fell to 33%, with the largest drop occurring among Republican voters compared to last year.
What is Temporary Protected Status (TPS)?
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a federal immigration program that grants eligible nationals from countries experiencing war, natural disasters, or other serious crises temporary permission to live and work legally in the United States.
Can Congress impose term limits on Supreme Court justices?
Several proposals have been introduced in Congress, including legislation establishing 18-year terms, but none have become law. Any major change to the structure of the Supreme Court would likely face significant legal and political hurdles.
Why does the Supreme Court matter?
The Supreme Court is the nation’s highest judicial authority. Its decisions shape constitutional interpretation, federal law, presidential authority, individual rights, and the powers of Congress and the executive branch, often affecting Americans for decades.