Kathrine Frich
Voters overwhelmingly favor limiting presidential authority, even if they support Trump personally.
Voters overwhelmingly favor limiting presidential authority, even if they support Trump personally.
Americans reject Trump’s authoritarian measures
A new poll conducted by Reuters/Ipsos suggests most Americans oppose President Donald Trump’s expansion of executive power.
The survey found strong disapproval of his decision to send troops into US cities and attempts to control the economy.
Trump claims urban crime requires military force
Trump has deployed the National Guard in Washington, D.C., and taken control of its police department.
He has also floated sending soldiers into Chicago and New Orleans, arguing crime is “out of control.”
Yet only 32% of Americans say they would feel safer with troops patrolling major cities.
Party lines show sharp divide
Republicans were far more likely to back Trump’s approach, with 62% supporting military patrols.
Among independents, only one in four agreed, and among Democrats, just one in ten.
The poll underlines how partisan divides shape views on security and presidential power.
Most Americans don’t see crime as a daily threat
Despite Trump’s warnings, only 20% of respondents said they often feel unsafe in their own communities.
Just a third reported avoiding big cities due to crime, while half of Republicans said they do.
The data suggests crime is widely seen as a distant issue, not a personal emergency.
“Abuse of power makes problem worse”
Democratic strategist Jesse Ferguson said Trump’s actions have not solved crime.
“People agree that crime and safety are a problem, but I think Trump’s abuse of power is not solving the problem, it’s making it worse,” he explained.
His comments echo broader concerns that Trump’s tactics damage trust in institutions.
Trump pushes to control economy and trade
The president has demanded the government take a 10% stake in Intel and share profits from Nvidia’s sales in China.
He has tried to pressure the Federal Reserve on interest rates and even sought to remove a board member accused of fraud.
Trump has also threatened companies like Apple with retaliation if they do not expand US operations.
Public resists economic power grab
Only 16% of Americans think the president should set interest rates or tell firms where to manufacture.
Among Republicans, 34% supported this idea, compared with just 2% of Democrats.
The vast majority of voters oppose Trump’s attempts to expand presidential control over the economy.
Republicans still back Trump overall
Despite criticism of his authoritarian moves, Trump’s approval rating holds steady at 42%.
Nine in ten Republicans continue to support him, though many reject the idea of unlimited power.
Some back his policies but still want checks and balances to remain in place.
Decline in belief in US exceptionalism
The poll also found fewer Americans now believe the US is “the best country in the world.”
In 2017, 38% agreed with that statement, compared with just 29% today.
Support dropped most sharply among Democrats but also declined slightly among Republicans.
