Majority Of Voters Support Trump’s Use Of National Guard In Crime Crackdown, Poll Finds
New Harvard CAPS/Harris survey reveals 54% of voters back the president’s move to deploy the National Guard in D.C., as his approval rating stabilizes.
A new poll released Monday by the Harvard Center for American Political Studies (CAPS) and The Harris Poll shows that 54% of voters believe President Donald Trump is doing a better job than President Joe Biden did, a three-point increase from July.
This marks a stabilization of Trump’s overall approval rating at 47%. The survey, conducted from August 20-21, 2025, highlights key public opinions on the economy, foreign policy, and other domestic issues.
Takeaways from the Poll
The survey’s findings indicate that Trump has solidified his base, with his highest approval ratings coming from Republicans, men, white voters, and those aged 25-44. His strongest approval is for his handling of crime in U.S. cities, immigration, and “returning America to its values.” However, his lowest marks are on inflation and trade policy, with only 41% of voters approving of his performance in these areas.
Inflation continues to be a top concern for voters, with 48% saying it’s the most important issue to them personally. Additionally, 55% of voters believe Trump’s policies will increase inflation, and the same percentage say his tariffs are harming the economy.
Policies and Public Perception
Despite concerns over inflation, a majority of voters continue to support most of Trump’s policies. Of the 15 policies surveyed, 14 have majority support. His most popular policies include lowering prescription drug costs for Medicare recipients, deporting illegal immigrants who have committed crimes, and eliminating government waste.
The poll also sheds light on public sentiment regarding Trump’s actions in Washington, D.C. A majority of voters (54%) say his actions are “justified and necessary.” Additionally, 54% support the Trump administration declaring a “crime emergency” and deploying the National Guard in D.C., but a similar number (53%) oppose his use of presidential authority to take over local police.
Foreign Policy and Controversial Issues
On the international stage, the poll reveals mixed but generally favorable views of Trump’s foreign policy. Voters are more satisfied with his handling of the war in Ukraine, with 52% approving, a five-point increase from the previous month. Sixty-six percent of voters support his efforts to end the conflict. However, 64% of voters believe he will not be able to solve the Israel-Hamas war.
The survey also delved into the public’s opinion on the Jeffrey Epstein case. A significant majority of voters (66%) want lawmakers to pressure the administration for more information, and 79% believe the case involves a cover-up by powerful elites.
“Trump has really solidified his political base and is maintaining every point of it,” said Mark Penn, Co-Director of the Harvard CAPS / Harris poll. “He is working on a lot of initiatives that will take time to pan out—but unless there is peace in one of these foreign conflicts or a clear consensus about the economy, the country will likely remain in a partisan rut.”
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