Public Opinion Divided on President Trump's Deployment of National Guard Troops: NPR-Ipsos Poll Results
A recent poll reveals that a majority of Americans are against President Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to cities like Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles for law enforcement purposes. The NPR-Ipsos poll shows that 49 percent of respondents oppose the deployment of National Guard troops to major cities in their state, while 38 percent support it, and 12 percent are unsure.
Additionally, the poll indicates that 50 percent of participants oppose efforts that allow federal officers to make immigration-related stops with fewer restrictions, while 35 percent support the measure, and 13 percent are unsure. President Trump's decision to send soldiers to Los Angeles to address immigration protests and his efforts to combat crime in the nation's capital have sparked controversy and prompted Republican governors from multiple states to send troops.
Most recently, Trump ordered National Guard troops to Memphis, Tennessee, a city with the highest national crime rate, to address the issue. The president also announced plans to send troops to Portland, Oregon, to protect the city and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities from groups like antifa and other "domestic terrorists."
The NPR-Ipsos poll found that 46 percent of people oppose the deployment of National Guard troops to Memphis for law enforcement efforts, while 35 percent approve of the move, and 18 percent are unsure. Many Americans, including independent voter Darius Gamble, view the deployment of troops as an abuse of power and an overreach by the president.
According to the survey, 48 percent of people believe that crime in the U.S. has increased, while 22 percent think it has stayed the same, 16 percent believe it has decreased, and 12 percent are unsure. Despite the perception of increased crime, statistics show that crime rates have actually dropped since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall, the American public is concerned about the level of crime and violence in cities, with around seven in ten Americans considering it unacceptable. While there is a general belief that crime has risen in the U.S. and major cities, there is not widespread support for actions like deploying the National Guard to address the issue.
The NPR-Ipsos survey was conducted from September 19-21 and involved 1,020 adults, with a margin of error of 3.2 percentage points. If you want to stay informed with 24/7 fact-based news coverage, consider using the NewsNation app or adding NewsNation as a preferred news source on Google.