- 63% say democracy is under serious threat in 2026 — a number that has remained persistently elevated since 2021, indicating this is a settled disposition rather than a temporary post-election reaction.
- SCOTUS approval has hit a record low of 40% — down sharply since the 2022 Dobbs decision — with disapproval outpacing approval by roughly 20 points, making the Court the most distrusted major institution in the federal government.
- 67% still call January 6 a serious assault on democracy in 2026, a number that has been remarkably stable for four years — suggesting the event's framing is locked in among the majority even as Republican interpretation has shifted.
- Institutional trust is collapsing broadly: 66% say Congress doesn't represent their interests, SCOTUS at 40% approval, only 26% say government acts in the public interest — Democrats and Republicans agree institutions are failing while diagnosing entirely different causes.
Democracy Under Pressure: The Baseline Data
The question of whether American democracy itself is functioning as intended has shifted from a fringe concern to a mainstream political debate. In 2026, 63% of registered voters — across surveys from Gallup, Quinnipiac, and Pew Research — describe democracy as "under serious threat" or "facing significant challenges." That number has remained elevated since 2021, suggesting it is not simply a post-election panic but a settled disposition for a large share of the electorate.
The partisan breakdown is sharp but not entirely binary. Among Democrats, roughly 82% express concern about democratic institutions. Among independents, the share is approximately 65% — notably high for a group that tends toward moderation. Among Republicans, approximately 38% express concern, though the nature of that concern differs: Republican respondents are more likely to cite election fraud or judicial overreach by lower courts as threats, while Democrats and independents focus on executive power consolidation and DOGE-style agency restructuring.
The Supreme Court at a Historic Low
The Supreme Court's approval rating stands at approximately 40% in early 2026 — the lowest figure recorded in the modern polling era, surpassing even the post-Dobbs nadir of 2022. Disapproval now outpaces approval by roughly 20 points overall. The trend line has moved almost entirely in one direction since 2018: downward.
Several factors are driving this. The Dobbs decision on abortion in 2022 remains the single largest inflection point, particularly damaging the Court's standing among women and college-educated voters. Subsequent decisions — on presidential immunity, agency deference (Chevron), and student loan forgiveness — have compounded the damage among center-left and independent voters who perceive the Court as politically motivated rather than legally principled. The ethics controversies surrounding several justices have added a trust dimension that legal analysis alone cannot recover.
For 2026, the Court's unpopularity is directly relevant. Multiple high-profile cases pending on DOGE restructuring authority, birthright citizenship, and federal spending power will likely generate rulings during the election cycle. Each ruling that expands executive power or removes a federal entitlement will be tested against voter reaction — and the Court starts from a deep approval deficit. See Supreme Court 2026: The Cases That Will Shape the Election.
Partisan Divergence on Democratic Norms
January 6: Stable Views, Diverging Narratives
One of the more striking findings in long-run institutional polling is the stability of January 6 assessments. Despite years of counter-narrative building, pardons of convicted participants, and rhetoric describing January 6 participants as hostages or patriots, 67% of Americans still describe the Capitol attack as a serious assault on democratic institutions that should not be minimized. This number has moved only 4-5 points since mid-2021.
The partisan divergence is extreme: roughly 92% of Democrats, 65% of independents, and only 29% of Republicans apply the "serious attack" framing. Republican respondents are now more likely to describe January 6 as a protest that exceeded its intent, or as a staged or exaggerated event. However, the overall majority remains stable — a reflection of the fact that even some Republican-leaning independents retain the original assessment despite changed political cues from party leadership.
For 2026, the question is whether January 6 motivates turnout the way abortion does — not as a top-of-mind issue for most voters, but as an underlying current that activates anxiety about institutional stability. In suburban districts and among college-educated voters, democracy-protection messaging has tested well in focus groups, suggesting it functions as a reinforcing issue rather than a standalone persuasion vehicle.
The Free Press and Information Environment
62% of Americans say media freedom is important or very important to a functioning democracy — but this number conceals significant partisan divergence. Among Democrats and left-leaning independents, support for press freedom as a democratic norm runs above 80%. Among Republicans, the figure is closer to 36%, reflecting years of "enemy of the people" framing that has genuinely moved opinion within the Republican coalition. This creates a paradox: press freedom is popular in aggregate but has become a partisan marker, which means media-related controversies — FCC enforcement actions, potential journalism shield law rollbacks, administration friction with major outlets — will generate asymmetric voter reactions by party rather than unified public response. Related: Political Polarization in 2026: The Data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of Americans think democracy is under threat?
Approximately 63% say democracy faces serious threats in 2026. The share is higher among Democrats (82%) and independents (65%), and lower among Republicans (38%). The number has remained elevated since 2021 across multiple polling firms.
How low has Supreme Court approval fallen?
SCOTUS approval stands at approximately 40% as of early 2026 — the lowest recorded since systematic tracking began. The decline began with Dobbs in 2022 and has been compounded by ethics controversies and subsequent rulings. Disapproval now outpaces approval by roughly 20 points.
Do most Americans still consider January 6 a serious attack?
Yes — 67% describe it as a serious assault on democracy that should not be minimized. This number has been stable since mid-2021 despite significant counter-narrative activity. The partisan breakdown: 92% Democrats, 65% independents, 29% Republicans apply the serious attack framing.
