Poll Shows Narrow Support for Trump’s Response to Protests
Amid the ongoing controversy over the shooting of a federal officer in Minnesota, Democrats are attempting to leverage the situation against President Donald Trump. However, a recent poll indicates a slight edge in support for how Trump has addressed the protests that have emerged.
Conducted by the Harvard Center for American Politics in conjunction with the Harris Poll, the survey revealed that Trump’s favorability outstripped the negative response to the anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis. Notably, 60% of participants felt that Democratic leaders have incentivized resistance toward ICE agents performing their duties.
Regarding specific issues, 51% expressed support for Trump’s stance on these matters, while 47% favored his approach to crime in urban areas, and 46% backed his immigration policies. Yet, his overall approval rating rested at a mere 39%, making him appear less favorable compared to other issues like tariffs and inflation management.
Trump’s approval peaked at 52% in February 2025 before retreating to 45% in this latest poll. Interestingly, a significant 60% think Democratic politicians are fostering obstruction against ICE officers, while only 43% stood behind those politicians encouraging such resistance. Additionally, 57% voiced disapproval of the encouragement given to resist federal agents.
The backdrop for these responses was the shooting incident involving Alex Preti, an ICU nurse and anti-ICE advocate, who confronted federal officers while armed. The situation escalated with another incident involving Renee Good, who had previously attempted to obstruct ICE agents.
In response to the violence, Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino exited Minneapolis, leading to Trump’s decision to send Border Patrol agent Tom Homan to manage operations directly, reporting back to the White House.
Related statistics showed that Republican support has lessened, falling to 44%, down from 52% last year. The Democratic Party’s approval also peaked around the same time, yet it matched the Republican figure at 44%. Both parties fared better than Congress, which saw an approval rating of only 35%.
