By John Q. Hosedrinker 
A recent Gallup poll reveals that a record-high 43% of Americans perceive the U.S. Supreme Court as “too conservative.” This shift in public opinion coincides with the court’s conservative majority, which has ruled in favor of the Trump administration on numerous key issues and the Court’s approval rating has slipped in recent years. The poll also highlights that 42% of the cases last term were decided unanimously, a figure that has decreased over the last few years. The Supreme Court is set to begin its new session with the first argument scheduled for October 6th.
Read the original article here
Record amount of Americans see Supreme Court as “too conservative”—Poll. Well, the results are in, and it seems a significant chunk of Americans are looking at the Supreme Court and thinking… something’s not quite right. The headline, based on a recent Gallup poll, is that a record number – over 40 percent – now believe the court is “too conservative.” That’s a pretty striking figure, especially when you consider the historical context and the weight that the Supreme Court carries in American society.
Now, you might be thinking, “Too conservative? Isn’t that the point?” But it appears that what many people are reacting to isn’t just the conservative slant of the court, but something else entirely. It seems the term “too conservative” is almost… a euphemism. Some people are calling out what they perceive as corruption. They are even going further to suggest authoritarianism, fascism and are questioning if the justices are enabling a government of a fascist dictator. The implication? The current Supreme Court is not just adhering to conservative principles, but is potentially undermining the very foundations of the Constitution.
The makeup of the court itself is undoubtedly a factor. With a solid 6-3 conservative majority, the court has consistently ruled in favor of conservative agendas. This can be seen in the Trump administration’s key cases, including areas like immigration and the authority of federal agencies. And it’s not just the rulings themselves; it’s also the way they’re happening, the number of emergency requests from the Trump administration granted by the Court. This has led some to question the court’s objectivity and its willingness to take on politically charged cases. It makes some question if conservative is the right word; rather, is this leaning to being corrupt or something even more dangerous, like enabling a fascist government?
The context of the court’s appointments also adds fuel to the fire. Many judges are in place because of presidents who didn’t win the popular vote and were confirmed by a Senate that doesn’t represent the people equally. Some individuals, like Reagan appointees, have remained on the bench for over four decades, extending the influence of the previous president on current laws and future policies. This long-term impact and the power this gives to a specific viewpoint is also raising eyebrows. People worry about a small group of individuals guarding the “king”.
What’s particularly interesting, however, is the way people are interpreting the situation. It’s becoming abundantly clear that “conservative” isn’t the problem for a lot of folks; it’s the court’s perceived corruption. People are calling out specific justices, making accusations of personal and financial conflicts of interest and questioning the integrity of the institution itself. There are those who see the court’s actions as not just conservative but as a blatant disregard for the Constitution.
The idea of the court as “bought and paid for” is also very alarming for many. Some believe the court has betrayed its role by enabling foreign countries, corporations and bigots at the expense of freedoms. This feeling of the court being partisan, rather than independent, is adding to the unease, and it’s important to consider the timing of this poll. The rise in those who feel the court is overly conservative coincides with a period of heightened political polarization. This can make any court decision, regardless of its merit, instantly feel political.
The implications of this growing dissatisfaction are significant. This level of mistrust in the Supreme Court is not just a matter of opinion; it’s a challenge to the very legitimacy of the court. If a large portion of the population believes the court is corrupt or acting in bad faith, it undermines the court’s ability to function effectively and it is perceived as another sign the government does not reflect public opinion. With current support for the right to chose at over 60% for decades, the court is losing the support of the public. This creates a divide in American society that is already struggling and makes it even harder to achieve any sort of consensus. It is becoming a matter of national security that we may need to expand the court to help guard against hyper partisan periods of US history.
In conclusion, the poll findings point to a growing crisis of confidence in the Supreme Court. The record number of Americans who see the court as “too conservative” appears to be a symptom of a deeper issue. Whether it’s a question of the justices, the rulings, the political environment or the very words we use to describe the situation, one thing is clear: the Supreme Court is facing a moment of serious scrutiny. The question now is what the impact of this loss of confidence will be and whether the court can regain the trust of the American people.