A recent poll conducted by the Pew Research Center has revealed that politics, rather than the law, play a significant role in Supreme Court decisions. The poll surveyed 4,708 adults in the United States and found that 76% of respondents believe that Supreme Court justices are influenced by their own political views when making decisions.
This revelation is not entirely surprising, as the Supreme Court is often seen as a political institution. Justices are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, both of which are political processes. Additionally, the Supreme Court often hears cases that have political implications, such as cases involving abortion rights, gun control, and immigration.
However, the idea that politics plays a larger role than the law in Supreme Court decisions is concerning. The Supreme Court is supposed to be an impartial arbiter of the law, interpreting the Constitution and ensuring that laws passed by Congress and state legislatures are constitutional. If politics is playing a significant role in their decisions, then the Court is not fulfilling its duty to uphold the law.
One example of politics influencing Supreme Court decisions is the case of Bush v. Gore in 2000. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of George W. Bush in his dispute with Al Gore over the results of the presidential election in Florida. The decision was split 5-4 along ideological lines, with the conservative justices siding with Bush and the liberal justices siding with Gore. Many legal scholars criticized the decision as being politically motivated, rather than based on legal principles.
Another example is the recent confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Kavanaugh’s confirmation process was highly politicized, with allegations of sexual assault against him dominating the news cycle. Despite these allegations, Kavanaugh was confirmed by a narrow margin along party lines. This suggests that politics played a significant role in his confirmation, rather than his qualifications or legal expertise.
The Pew Research Center poll also found that 60% of respondents believe that Supreme Court justices should be required to disclose their personal finances. This is a reasonable request, as it would help to ensure that justices are not being influenced by financial interests when making decisions. However, it is unlikely that this will happen anytime soon, as the Supreme Court has historically been resistant to transparency and disclosure.
In conclusion, the Pew Research Center poll reveals that politics plays a significant role in Supreme Court decisions. This is concerning, as the Supreme Court is supposed to be an impartial arbiter of the law. If politics is influencing their decisions, then the Court is not fulfilling its duty to uphold the law and protect the Constitution. It is important for the public to remain vigilant and hold the Supreme Court accountable for their decisions.
