A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll reveals that many Americans are sceptical about some of President Donald Trump’s initial executive actions. Since his inauguration on January 20, Trump has swiftly implemented policies that aim to tighten immigration controls and reduce government size, which have garnered more favourable views from respondents.
Approval Ratings
The poll indicates that 45% of Americans approve of Trump’s performance as president, a slight decrease from 47% in a previous poll conducted on January 20-21. Conversely, disapproval has risen to 46%, up from 39% in the earlier survey. The margin of error for this poll is approximately 4 percentage points.
“While it does seem Trump is getting a honeymoon to some extent, his numbers are still not impressive by historical standards,” said Kyle Kondik, an analyst with the University of Virginia Center for Politics. During his first term, Trump’s approval ratings peaked at 49% early on but dropped to 34% by the end of his term.
Public Perception of Key Policies
Birthright Citizenship
A significant majority of Americans, 59%, oppose ending birthright citizenship, including 89% of Democrats and 36% of Republicans. A federal judge has temporarily blocked changes to this policy, but the administration plans to appeal.
Renaming the Gulf of Mexico
The proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the “Gulf of America” received little support, with 70% of respondents opposing it and only 25% in favour.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives
Trump’s decision to end federal DEI offices was met with divided opinions, with 51% opposed and 44% in favour, largely along partisan lines. Additionally, 59% of respondents opposed ending federal efforts to promote hiring of women and racial minorities.
Energy Policy
Support for expanding fossil fuel drilling was predominantly among Republicans, with 76% in favour, while 81% of Democrats opposed it. A majority, 59%, also disapproved of withdrawing from the Paris climate accords.
Economic Concerns
Rising prices remain a significant concern for Americans, with 50% believing the country is on the wrong track regarding the cost of living.
Positive Indicators for Trump
Immigration
Trump received approval from 48% of Americans for his immigration policies, with 41% disapproving.
Hiring Freeze
The hiring freeze at federal offices was supported by 49% of respondents, including 80% of Republicans and 43% of Democrats.
“Trump was elected in large part because voters tended to side with him on the economy and immigration. To the extent he is viewed as doing positive things on that, it’s probably good for him,” Kondik added. However, if these policies are perceived as overly harsh, it could impact congressional Republicans in future elections.
While Trump’s early moves have been met with scepticism on several fronts, his stance on immigration and government size has garnered some support. The long-term impact of these policies will depend on how they are perceived by the broader public.