A new Washington Post-Ipsos poll found that nearly half of Americans believe the Supreme Court rules on Trump administration policies based on ideology rather than the law. The survey found that 46 percent of Americans view the justices’ decisions as based on their political views, while 25 percent believe the court rules based on the law.
The poll also found that 55 percent of Americans disapprove of how the Supreme Court is doing its job, while 41 percent approve. The Washington Post reported that the approval figures, gathered this month, are among the court’s lowest in recent memory and reflect an ongoing trend of Americans viewing its decisions as partisan.
The figures remain below the dissatisfaction levels recorded in 2022. Gallup reported that year that 58 percent of Americans disapproved of the court’s performance and 40 percent approved. The current poll therefore shows a lower disapproval rate and a slightly higher approval rate than those figures.
Current Supreme Court disputes
The poll results were reported as the court prepared to release the first of three summer order lists. The court’s order lists typically address matters other than the merits opinions issued in argued cases.
The Supreme Court is also expected to receive an appeal from the Trump administration in litigation over its ban on transgender troops. In a filing, the administration asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit not to finalize a decision holding that the ban probably violated the constitutional rights of troops challenging the policy and could not be enforced against those currently serving who brought the challenge. The administration notified the appeals court that it intends to appeal to the Supreme Court.
The administration could ask the Supreme Court for an interim ruling pausing implementation if the D.C. Circuit declines to keep its decision from taking effect during the appeal. Government lawyers emphasized that the justices intervened in a different challenge last year, when a majority said the ban could be enforced while the litigation continued.
The court’s recent role in the administration’s tariff policy has also drawn attention. After holding in February that President Donald Trump lacked authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs, the court saw the administration turn to other laws. Tariffs imposed under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 expire July 24 unless Congress extends them, while Section 301 of that law permits tariffs and other sanctions against countries found to engage in “unjustifiable,” “unreasonable” or “discriminatory” trade practices.