Now I am going to read you a list of institutions in American society. Please tell me how much confidence you, yourself, have in each one -- a great deal, quite a lot, some or very little? The Supreme Court
Great deal
Quite a lot
Some
Very little
None (vol.)
No opinion
Great deal/Quite a lot
%
%
%
%
%
%
%
2024
13
17
31
35
3
1
30
2023
11
16
37
34
1
*
27
2022
11
14
43
30
1
1
25
2021
13
23
42
21
1
*
36
2020
18
22
41
17
1
1
40
2019
18
20
40
20
1
1
38
2018
16
21
42
17
1
2
37
2017
18
22
40
16
1
2
40
2016
15
21
41
22
1
1
36
2015
14
18
42
23
2
2
32
2014
12
18
41
24
2
2
30
2013
13
21
42
21
2
2
34
2012
15
22
38
20
2
3
37
2011
17
20
41
18
2
2
37
2010
15
21
43
16
2
3
36
2009
15
24
41
17
1
3
39
2008
13
19
44
17
1
5
32
2007
14
20
41
21
2
2
34
2006
14
26
41
15
1
3
40
2005
16
25
38
18
1
2
41
2004
16
30
37
14
2
1
46
2003
20
27
38
12
1
2
47
2002
22
28
35
13
*
2
50
2001
22
28
31
13
3
3
50
2000
18
29
35
14
1
3
47
1999
20
29
35
13
1
2
49
1998
24
26
34
12
1
3
50
1997
25
25
32
14
2
2
50
1996
17
28
39
14
1
1
45
1995
20
24
39
14
1
1
44
1994
18
24
38
16
1
3
42
1993
18
25
37
15
2
3
43
1991 Oct
16
23
39
15
2
5
39
1991 Feb
21
27
36
10
1
5
48
1990
19
28
31
16
2
4
47
1989
21
25
33
17
2
2
46
1988
21
35
30
11
1
2
56
1987
13
39
36
8
*
4
52
1986
19
35
32
10
1
3
54
1985
18
38
30
9
1
5
56
1984
22
29
28
15
--
6
51
1983
14
28
34
16
1
7
42
1981
18
28
32
13
4
4
46
1979
18
27
31
19
1
4
45
1977
17
28
29
16
2
8
45
1975
22
27
28
16
1
6
49
1973
20
25
28
12
5
11
45
(vol.) = Volunteered response; * Less than 0.5%
Gallup
Do you approve or disapprove of the way John Roberts is handling his job as chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court?
Approve
Disapprove
No opinion
%
%
%
2023 Dec 1-20
48
46
6
2021 Dec 1-16
60
34
6
2013 Sep 5-8
55
34
11
2010 Jul 27-Aug 1
48
27
25
Gallup
As you know, our federal government is made up of three branches: an executive branch, headed by the president; a judicial branch, headed by the U.S. Supreme Court; and a legislative branch, made up of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. How much trust and confidence do you have at this time in the judicial branch headed by the U.S. Supreme Court -- a great deal, a fair amount, not very much or none at all?
Great deal
Fair amount
Not very much
None at all
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
2023 Sep 1-23
9
40
32
19
--
2022 Sep 1-16
7
40
31
22
--
2021 Sep 1-17
10
44
32
14
1
2020 Aug 31-Sep 13
17
50
26
8
--
2019 Sep 3-15
16
53
25
6
*
2018 Sep 4-12
18
50
22
9
1
2017 Sep 6-10
16
52
24
7
1
2016 Sep 7-11
12
49
28
9
1
2015 Sep 9-13
11
42
31
16
*
2014 Sep 4-7
10
51
30
9
1
2013 Sep 5-8
13
49
28
9
1
2012 Sep 6-9
14
53
27
4
2
2011 Sep 8-11
12
51
28
8
1
2010 Sep 13-16
14
52
28
5
2
2009 Aug 31-Sep 2
18
58
18
4
2
2008 Sep 8-11
14
55
23
6
3
2007 Sep 14-16
15
54
23
6
1
2006 Sep 7-10
15
54
21
7
3
2005 Sep 12-15
13
55
25
6
1
2004 Sep 13-15
14
51
27
6
2
2003 Sep 8-10
13
54
27
5
1
2002 Sep 5-8
17
58
18
5
2
2001 Sep 7-10
17
57
20
4
2
2000 Jul 6-9
23
52
18
6
1
1999 Feb 4-8
29
51
13
5
2
1998 Dec 28-29
27
51
16
4
2
1997 May 30-Jun 1
19
52
22
5
2
1976 Jun
16
47
26
6
4
1974 Apr
17
54
20
5
5
1972 May
17
49
24
7
4
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup
In general, do you think the current Supreme Court is too liberal, too conservative or just about right?
Too liberal
Too conservative
About right
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2023 Sep 1-23
17
39
42
2
2022 Sep 1-16
18
42
38
3
2021 Sep 1-17
20
37
40
3
2020 Aug 31-Sep 13
23
32
42
3
2019 Sep 3-15
17
33
47
3
2018 Jul 1-11
21
29
44
6
2017 Sep 6-10
23
30
43
4
2016 Sep 7-11
37
20
39
4
2015 Sep 9-13
37
20
40
3
2014 Sep 4-7
30
24
43
4
2013 Sep 5-8
30
23
41
6
2012 Sep 6-9
27
23
44
7
2011 Sep 8-11
31
20
42
7
2010 Jul 27-Aug 1
32
19
43
6
2009 Aug 31-Sep 2
28
19
50
3
2008 Sep 8-11
21
30
43
6
2007 Sep 14-16
21
32
43
5
2006 Sep 7-10
21
31
43
6
2005 Sep 12-15
25
25
45
5
2004 Sep 13-15
28
27
40
5
2003 Sep 8-10
31
25
39
5
2003 Jul 7-9 #
31
15
48
6
2001 Sep 7-10
22
25
46
7
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5 #
27
16
49
8
1995 Jul 7-9
31
20
41
8
1993 Jun 18-21 ^
22
24
45
9
1991 Jul 11-14 #
20
25
39
16
^ Asked of a half sample; # WORDING: In its recent rulings, do you think the Supreme Court has been too liberal, too conservative, or just about right?
Gallup
As you may know, [...] is a federal judge who has been nominated to serve on the Supreme Court. Would you like to see the Senate vote in favor of [...] serving on the Supreme Court, or not?
Yes, vote in favor
No, not
No opinion
%
%
%
Ketanji Brown Jackson
2022 Mar 1-18
58
30
12
Amy Coney Barrett
2020 Oct 16-27
48
47
6
2020 Sep 30-Oct 15
51
46
3
Brett Kavanaugh
2018 Sep 24-30
46
45
9
2018 Sep 10-16
39
42
19
2018 Aug 20-26
40
36
24
2018 Jul 10-15
41
37
22
Neil Gorsuch
2017 Feb 1-2
45
32
23
Merrick Garland
2016 Mar 18-19
52
29
19
Elena Kagan
2010 Jul 27-Aug 1
46
36
18
2010 Jul 8-11
44
34
22
2010 May 24-25
46
32
22
Sonia Sotomayor
2009 Jul 17-19
55
36
9
2009 Jul 10-12
53
33
13
2009 May 29-31
54
28
19
Samuel Alito
2006 Jan 20-22
54
30
16
2006 Jan 6-8
49
30
21
2005 Dec 9-11
49
29
22
2005 Nov 7-10
50
25
25
Harriet Miers
2005 Oct 21-23
42
43
15
2005 Oct 13-16 ^
44
36
20
John Roberts
2005 Sep 16-18
60
26
14
2005 Sep 8-11
58
27
15
2005 Aug 28-30
52
26
22
2005 Aug 5-7
51
28
21
2005 Jul 22-24
59
22
19
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
1993 Jun 18-21
53
14
33
Clarence Thomas
1991 Oct 14
58
30
12
1991 Oct 10-13
53
30
17
1991 Sep 13-15
54
25
21
1991 Aug 8-11
56
23
21
1991 Jul 11-14
52
17
31
Robert Bork
1987 Sep 1-13
38
35
26
1987 Aug 24-Sep 2
31
25
44
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup
Suppose a nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court is qualified and has no ethical problems. Do you think U.S. senators would be justified -- or unjustified -- in voting against that nominee if they disagree with the nominee's stance on current issues such as abortion, gun control or affirmative action?
Justified
Unjustified
No opinion
%
%
%
2018 Jul 2-8
49
46
5
2005 Jan 14-16
51
46
3
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup
Over the past five years, do you think the Supreme Court has become more liberal, more conservative or stayed about the same?
More liberal
More conservative
Stayed the same
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2010 Jul 27-Aug 1
36
16
43
5
Gallup
Would you like to see President [Bush/Obama] nominate a new justice who would make the Supreme Court -- [ROTATED: more liberal than it currently is, more conservative than it currently is] -- or who would keep the court as it is now?
More liberal
More conservative
Keep as now
No opinion
%
%
%
%
President Obama
2010 May 3-6
27
42
24
6
2009 May 7-10
28
41
26
5
President Bush
2005 Sep 26-28
30
33
29
8
2005 Jun 16-19
30
41
24
5
Gallup
Which of the following best describes your view about whether the next Supreme Court justice is [RANDOM ORDER] -- do you think it is -- [RANDOM ORDER: essential that the next justice is (a woman/Hispanic/black), is it a good idea, but not essential, does it not matter to you, (or do you think it is) a bad idea]?
Essential
Good idea
Doesn't matter
Bad idea
No opinion
%
%
%
%
%
A woman
2010 May 3-6
4
20
72
3
1
2009 May 7-10
6
26
64
3
1
2005 Oct 28-30
14
33
50
2
1
2005 Sep 26-28 ^
14
29
55
1
1
Hispanic
2010 May 3-6
1
12
76
9
1
2009 May 7-10
1
21
68
8
1
2005 Sep 26-28
3
23
69
4
1
Black
2010 May 3-6
1
13
82
3
1
2009 May 7-10
1
21
74
3
1
2005 Sep 26-28
5
21
71
2
1
Someone with experience as a judge
2005 Oct 28-30
50
36
11
2
1
A conservative
2005 Oct 28-30
21
24
32
20
3
Someone who would overturn Roe v. Wade
2005 Oct 28-30
16
16
20
42
6
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup
From what you know about [....] , do you think [he / she] would be too liberal, too conservative or just about right as a Supreme Court justice?
Too liberal
Too conservative
About right
No opinion
%
%
%
%
Sonia Sotomayor
2009 May 29-31 ^
28
3
48
20
Samuel Alito
2006 Jan 6-8 ^
6
29
49
15
John Roberts
2005 Aug 28-30
8
24
48
20
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
1993 Jun 18-21
14
4
47
35
Clarence Thomas
1991 Jul 11-14
7
20
46
27
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup
Based on what you have heard or read about [her / him], do you think [...]'s views on important issues are in the mainstream or do you think they are too extreme?
Mainstream
Too extreme
No opinion
%
%
%
Sonia Sotomayor
2009 May 29-31 ^
49
30
21
Samuel Alito
2006 Jan 6-8 ^
52
30
19
2005 Nov 1
51
26
23
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup
Suppose all or most of the Democrats in the Senate oppose Alito's nomination. Do you think they would be justified -- or not justified -- in using Senate procedures, such as the filibuster, to prevent an up-or-down vote on his nomination?
Justified
Not justified
No opinion
%
%
%
2006 Jan 20-22
38
48
15
Gallup
Just your best guess, if Alito were confirmed to the Supreme Court, do you think he would -- or would not -- vote to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision on abortion?
Yes, would overturn
No, would not
No opinion
%
%
%
2006 Jan 20-22
34
44
21
2005 Nov 1
38
38
24
Gallup
Regardless of how you think the Senate should vote, would you say you are pleased or disappointed with George W. Bush's choice of Harriet Miers as the nominee to the Supreme Court?
Pleased
Disappointed
No opinion
%
%
%
2005 Oct 21-23
40
50
10
Gallup
Based on what you have heard or read about Harriet Miers, do you think she is among the most qualified people who could serve on the Supreme Court, is she qualified to serve on the Supreme Court, but many others are more qualified, or is she not qualified to serve on the Supreme Court?
Among most qualified
Qualified
Not qualified
No opinion
%
%
%
%
2005 Oct 21-23
20
49
22
9
Gallup
Would you like to see President Bush -- [ROTATED: continue to support his nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court (or) withdraw his nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court]?
Continue to support
Withdraw nomination
No opinion
%
%
%
2005 Oct 13-16 ^
46
36
18
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup
Do you think John Roberts should -- [ROTATED: answer questions from the senators about his views on specific issues such as abortion or affirmative action, (or should he) only answer questions from the senators about his general judicial philosophy]?
Specific issues
General philosophy
No opinion
%
%
%
2005 Aug 28-30^
55
42
3
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup
When the U.S. Senate holds hearings on the John Roberts nomination, do you think Senators should insist that he explain his views on abortion before confirming him, or should he be allowed to refuse to answer questions about abortion?
Insist he explain views
Allow to refuse to answer
No opinion
%
%
%
2005 Jul 22-24
61
37
2
Gallup
If a nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court favors [keeping/overturning] the Roe v. Wade decision on abortion, in your view, should that alone disqualify that person from serving on the Supreme Court, or not?
Yes, should disqualify
No, should not
No opinion
%
%
%
Keeping Roe v. Wade
2005 Jul 22-24 ^
13
85
2
Overturning Roe v. Wade
2005 Jul 22-24 ^
25
72
3
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup
As you may know, the U.S. Supreme Court will decide a case regarding whether a monument to the Ten Commandments can be displayed on the grounds of state government buildings in Texas and Kentucky. Do you think the U.S. Supreme Court should -- or should not -- allow the state governments to display that monument?
Yes, should
No, should not
No opinion
%
%
%
2005 Jun 24-26
75
23
2
2005 Feb 25-27 ^
76
21
3
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup
Suppose President Bush decides to nominate the person who he thinks is the best choice for the U.S. Supreme Court, but almost all the Democrats in the Senate oppose the nominee because they disagree with that person on important issues. Should President Bush -- [ROTATED: still nominate the person he thinks is best for the job, (or should he) nominate another well qualified person whom the Democrats find acceptable]?
Still nominate best person
Nominate another acceptable to Democrats
No opinion
%
%
%
2005 Jun 16-19
46
51
3
Gallup
Suppose almost all the Democrats in the Senate oppose President Bush's nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court because they disagree with that person on important issues. Should the Democrats in the Senate -- [ROTATED: still vote to confirm the president's nominee unless they believe that the person is not qualified legally or ethically, (or should they) work to defeat the nomination to try to get the president to pick someone that is more acceptable to them]?
Americans' confidence in the police has increased eight points since last year, but average confidence across 14 U.S. institutions remains historically low.
None of the top elected or appointed officials in the federal government today earns even bare majority approval ratings from the American public, with the highest, 48%, earned by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.
A record-low 47% of Americans think the death penalty is fairly applied in the U.S., while a slim 53% majority continue to favor its use for convicted murderers.
Americans' approval of the Supreme Court and their trust in it remain low. The public is divided on whether its ideology is "about right" or "too conservative."
Gallup https://news.gallup.com/poll/4732/supreme-court.aspx Gallup World Headquarters, 901 F Street, Washington, D.C., 20001, U.S.A
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