Poll Finds Majority of Americans Oppose Trump Deploying National Guard to U.S. Cities

A new CBS News poll highlights growing unease among Americans over President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard in U.S. cities. According to the survey, 58% of Americans oppose such deployments, while just 42% support them. The opposition is even stronger when it comes to sending active duty troops into urban areas: 61% against vs. 39% in favor.

Digging deeper, the poll exposes sharp partisan divides. Among Republicans, 79% support using active troops in cities; Democrats largely reject the idea, with 92% opposed. Independents lean against it by a 70/30 margin.

Why It’s Coming Into Play Now

Trump’s administrations have already begun sending troops to several cities — Los Angeles, Washington, and Chicago among them — claiming the aim is to tackle “ongoing violent riots and lawlessness.” A recent instance: he confirmed the deployment of 300 National Guard soldiers to Chicago over the weekend.

In statements, the White House framed these moves as essential to reclaim control in cities beset by crime. One spokesperson declared that Trump “will not turn a blind eye” to unrest.

What the Poll Implies

1. Broad discontent – A clear majority disapproves of nationwide militarized response policies, signaling potential political risk in overstepping with military deployments.
2. Partisan alignment – Support and opposition break down predictably along party lines, reflecting existing political polarization.
3. Double standard on active forces – When moving beyond the National Guard to regular troops, opposition intensifies, underscoring Americans’ wariness of militarizing domestic environments.
4. State vs federal friction – The poll comes amid mounting conflict between Trump’s federal deployment orders and pushback from Democratic governors and local leaders.

The Wider Context & Legal Implications

• The CBS poll echoes findings from other surveys (e.g., Reuters/Ipsos), indicating low support for sending troops into cities for policing or security duties.
• The use of military or quasi-military forces domestically raises constitutional and civil liberties questions — especially regarding use of force, Posse Comitatus constraints, and local control.
• In states like Illinois, recent moves by Trump to deploy National Guard units have already drawn resistance from state authorities, who argue overreach and coercion.

Conclusion

The latest poll makes one thing clear: most Americans are uneasy with Trump’s approach of using military and guard forces in U.S. cities. While parts of his base may endorse it, the broader public sees it as overstepping. As these deployments continue, political, legal, and constitutional pressures are likely to intensify.

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