For the first time in nearly three years, the Supreme Court has regained an approval rating above 50%, according to recent polling data.
The Hill reported that a Marquette Law School national poll reveals a significant recovery in public perception of the Supreme Court's performance.
In early February 2025, findings from the poll indicated that 51% of U.S. adults approve of the Supreme Court's actions while 49% disapprove. This data points to a recovery from previous dips in public approval.
The increase from 48% in December 2022 to 51% at present marks a notable rise in approval over just two months.
The previous peak in approval was noted in March 2022, when it reached 54%.
The survey was conducted over a period from January 27 to February 5, sampling 1,018 adults nationwide. The margin of error for this poll stands at 3.5 percentage points, ensuring a high level of accuracy in the findings.
This poll comes at a time when the Supreme Court has made headlines for upholding significant legislation regarding tech and international business, specifically the sale mandate of TikTok by its Chinese parent company, ByteDance.
Public sentiment around compliance with the Supreme Court's rulings is strong, with approximately 83% of respondents expressing that the president should adhere to the Court's decisions, regardless of personal favorability.
The recent uplift in the Supreme Court’s approval ratings is closely aligned with its decision to uphold legislation forcing ByteDance to either sell TikTok or face a ban in the U.S. This decision was supported by a majority of those polled.
Analysis shows that 62% of U.S. adults back the Court's ruling, underscoring a broad base of approval across different demographics.
The decision has garnered particularly strong support among Republican voters, at a rate of 73%, compared to 54% for Democrats and 53% for independents.
This political split highlights the bipartisan nature of support for the Supreme Court’s actions, reflecting a complex landscape of public opinion that transcends traditional party lines.
The approval ratings and support for specific decisions provide a nuanced understanding of the public's trust in judicial oversight and its implications for national policy.
The high rate of support for the Supreme Court’s decision regarding TikTok suggests that concerns about international business practices and data security continue to influence public opinion significantly.
Overall, the data reflects a stabilization in the public's view of the Supreme Court after several turbulent years where court decisions have been intensely scrutinized and often led to polarized public reactions.
As the Supreme Court continues to handle cases with significant political and social implications, the trends in public approval may serve as a barometer for the Court's alignment with national sentiment.
The recent uptick in approval suggests cautious optimism about the Supreme Court's role in shaping important aspects of American life and law. It remains to be seen how future decisions will affect this delicate balance of public trust and judicial independence.