A new poll has revealed that American public opinion is divided over recent landmark Supreme Court rulings. The survey, conducted by ABC News/Ipsos, found that approximately half of Americans support the Court's decision to restrict the use of race in college admissions, while roughly a third disapprove. The opinions on this matter were largely split along racial and ethnic lines.
The poll indicated that a majority of White and Asian American respondents approved of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn affirmative action, while Latino and Hispanic Americans were evenly divided. In contrast, 52% of Black Americans expressed disapproval of the ruling. Overall, 52% of the respondents approved of the decision, while 32% did not.
This series of decisions by the Supreme Court, which also includes the dismissal of President Joe Biden's student-loan relief plan and the allowance of a constitutional exception to anti-discrimination laws, have thrust these issues into the spotlight ahead of the upcoming elections. Some progressive politicians, such as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, have voiced concerns that these rulings, along with previous ones like the decision on abortion rights, signify a dangerous shift towards authoritarianism and an accumulation of power.
On the other hand, former Vice President Mike Pence, a Republican presidential nominee contender, praised the affirmative-action ruling, claiming that it recognizes the progress made by minority Americans. Pence expressed confidence that African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and other minorities will be able to compete and succeed in light of this decision.
President Biden, on the other hand, strongly criticized the Supreme Court following the college admissions ruling, asserting that the majority of Americans do not agree with many of the Court's recent decisions. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump, who is seeking re-election in 2024, lauded the Court's decisions during a recent rally, highlighting his role in appointing three conservative justices.
In addition to the affirmative-action ruling, the Supreme Court's rejection of Biden's student-loan forgiveness plan also generated mixed reactions among Americans. The ABC News poll found a 45% approval rate for this decision, with 40% expressing disapproval.
The survey, conducted from June 30 to July 1, involved 937 adults and carries a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.