WASHINGTON – After a series of controversial decisions and a burgeoning debate in Congress over questionable ethics, the Supreme Court is under siege.
But it turns out Chief Justice John Roberts is still doing better than most U.S. leaders in the eyes of Americans − at least according to a new Gallup poll. Roberts is viewed more favorably than several of the nation’s best-known political leaders as well as the candidates running for president in 2024, including incumbent Joe Biden.
The Supreme Court has long polled better than the other branches of government, though that margin has slimmed in recent years as some Americans have come to view it as a political institution as much as a legal one. The chief also performed well in the poll in part because many Americans – nearly a third – had no opinion of him at all.
Forty-three percent of Americans told Gallup they have a favorable view of Roberts, compared with 41% for both Biden and former GOP President Donald Trump. Former Vice President Mike Pence came in at 35% and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is seeking the GOP nomination for president, clocked in at 37%.
Justice Clarence Thomas polled in the middle of the prominent names selected by Gallup, coming in under Biden and Trump but over Pence and DeSantis. That despite a series of recent scandals involving Thomas and private jet travel and luxury vacations paid for others. The poll underscores that Thomas, among the court’s stalwart conservatives, has considerable support from Republicans but is deeply unpopular with Democrats.
Prince William led the Gallup poll with a 59% favorability rating. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy came in second at 57%.
The poll was conducted July 3-27.
Contributing: David Jackson
