WASHINGTON – A slight majority of voters – 51% – oppose the Trump administration taking over the DC, police force and deploying the National Guard in the nation’s capital, according to new data released Aug. 20 from a progressive polling firm.
The poll by Data for Progress also said only 11% of voters think that President Donald Trump’s National Guard deployment will be limited to DC. A majority believes Trump will deploy the National Guard to “many” (39%) or “a few” (35%) additional cities, according to the Aug. 15 to Aug. 18 survey of 1,127 likely U.S. voters.
Trump announced on Aug. 11 that he would deploy National Guard troops to Washington to crack down on crime. Trump initially deployed around 800 National Guard troops to the streets of Washington and ordered the Justice Department to take over the district’s Metropolitan Police Department.
Since then, six additional governors have promised to send additional National Guard troops from their states to assist with Trump’s efforts.
“Broadly, these findings indicate that a majority of voters oppose Trump’s National Guard deployment in D.C, and view it as authoritarian,” Data for Progress said. “Voters also think Trump will deploy the National Guard to additional cities and would oppose a deployment in their community.”
More: National Guard from Republican states heading to DC: What you need to know
Although Trump declared that crime was “out of control” in Washington, advocates, lawmakers and many residents have pushed back on that characterization, which defies crime data.
A majority of voters polled agree that “Trump is being authoritarian” (57%) and that “Trump is just doing this to distract from other issues” (51%) as it relates to the situation in DC, Data for Progress said in a news release about the new poll.
More than half of voters (51%) also agreed that “Trump is doing what’s necessary to crack down on crime,” though voters were closely divided, with 46% disagreeing with that statement.
Data for Progress describes itself as “a progressive think tank that conducts research, polling, and data analysis to produce strategic insights, inform policymaking, and equip movements with the tools needed to advance a more just, equitable future.”
The sample was weighted to be representative of likely voters by age, gender, education, race, geography, and recalled presidential vote.
Trump has publicly suggested sending the National Guard to other U.S. cities, including New York City, Chicago, Baltimore and Oakland.
When asked if they would support or oppose Trump deploying the National Guard to address crime in their communities, the pool of all likely voters said they would oppose this effort by a −9-point net margin.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Poll – Voters split on Trump takeover of DC police, deployment of Guard
