The historic nomination and confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson might prove to be a gift to a U.S. Supreme Court facing declining public support and questions about its legitimacy.

A recent national survey of public opinion about the high court shows a sharp decline in approval over the last three years, according to the Pew Research Center, from a high in 2019 of 69 favorable, 30 unfavorable, to 54 favorable and 44 unfavorable in January 2022. Other surveys reflect similar findings.