Supreme Court Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett is facing a notable backlash from within conservative circles, including allies of former President Donald Trump, following recent key rulings. An Economist/YouGov poll indicates that while the Supreme Court's overall approval rating stands at 36 percent, support among Republicans is softer than expected, with only 69 percent approving. Within this group, Justice Barrett has emerged as the least popular justice.
This criticism stems from Barrett's participation in two 5-4 decisions handed down at the end of June that ruled against Trump and the Republican Party. The cases involved issues central to the MAGA movement: election integrity and immigration.
In Watson v. Republican National Committee, the Court considered a Mississippi law that allowed ballots mailed before Election Day but arriving up to five days later to be counted. Republicans challenged this law, echoing concerns about election fraud, though the practice of counting late-arriving ballots has historical precedent dating back to the Civil War. In Trump v. Barbara, Barrett was part of the majority that rejected an argument challenging the interpretation of a constitutional provision that grants citizenship to most individuals born in the United States.
These decisions triggered sharp responses from some Trump allies. Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC) called for Barrett's removal from the bench, while Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) described her opinion in Watson as "shocking and terrible." Media figures also voiced criticism; podcaster Matt Walsh labeled Barrett a "DEI hire," and former Fox News host Megyn Kelly referred to her as a "turncoat."
Former President Trump himself reportedly privately expressed dissatisfaction with Barrett, telling an associate in 2025 that she was "weak." While Trump has not publicly singled out Barrett for criticism, his past remarks suggest a potential disconnect with his appointees who do not align perfectly with his political agenda.
Despite the criticism, Barrett has strong defenders, and her overall judicial record is characterized by conservative victories. The National Review, for instance, highlighted her role in landmark decisions such as overturning Roe v. Wade, strengthening Second Amendment rights, ending affirmative action, and limiting federal agency power. Barrett's tenure has seen her join decisions that align with many conservative priorities, including those related to election law, transgender athletes, and religious liberty.
The current backlash, however, suggests that voices critical of Barrett are influencing segments of the Republican electorate. The divergence on issues like mail-in balloting and birthright citizenship highlights how political priorities can evolve, sometimes outpacing the original intentions behind judicial appointments.
Analysts suggest that while Trump relied on organizations like the Federalist Society for judicial nominations, the evolving nature of the Republican Party's platform means that future appointees may face even more rigorous vetting to ensure ideological alignment with the party's current stance, particularly on issues that have become flashpoints for the MAGA movement.