Despite concerns about the speed of the economic recovery and increasing agitation against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Americans trust President Donald Trump and Republicans over Democrats to handle major issues including the economy and immigration. Voters also believe anti-ICE activists have gone too far in opposing the agency by thirteen points according to a new survey.
A Morning Consult survey from Jan. 16-18 shows Republicans leading Democrats on all major issues except healthcare, a warning sign for Democrats heading into the midterms. According to the survey, Republicans lead by double-digits on the top issues to voters, with voters trusting the GOP more on immigration (+9), national security (+9), trade (+6), foreign policy (+4), national debt (+4), the economy (+3), and taxes (+3). The only major issues Democrats lead on are healthcare (+13) and Medicare and Social Security (+13). Democrats also lead on abortion (+18) and LGBTQ+ rights (+28), but these issues tend to rank as significantly lower priorities for voters.
These findings are echoed in an Economist/YouGov survey released Jan. 16. The survey finds that despite criticism of President Trump and the GOP from the mainstream media and activists, Americans trust Republicans over Democrats when it comes to handling major issues. Even traditionally Democrat-leaning voters — including college-educated voters and Hispanics — are split on whether to trust Democrats or the GOP. The survey shows Americans largely agree that anti-ICE activists have gone too far.
A strong majority of Americans say the anti-ICE protests led by extremist groups have gone too far according to the Economist/YouGov data. 42 percent of Americans say the protests have gone too far, while 29 percent say the protests have not gone far enough and 29 percent say the protests have been about right. Moderates, independents, and even college-graduates — who tend to lean against President Trump’s policies — all agree the anti-ICE protests have gone too far. Moderates say by six points, 33 percent to 27 percent, the protests have gone too far, while independents say so by three points, 35 percent to 32 percent. Those with a college degree say the anti-ICE protests have gone too far by ten points, 41 percent to 31 percent.
While a portion of voters say the methods used by ICE have gone too far, voters still prefer the GOP’s leadership on tackling immigration by double digits. 61 percent of voters say ICE’s tactics are too tough, but 24 say the agency’s tactics are about right and 15 percent say ICE’s tactics are not tough enough. Half of voters say they disapprove of “what Trump wants to accomplish” through deportation, but half of voters approve of what President Trump wants to accomplish.
The survey finds voters say by 10 points, 39 percent to 29 percent, that President Trump and Republicans have the better approach to immigration compared to Democrats. Independents say the GOP has the better approach by two points, 29 percent to 27 percent.
While non-college voters prefer President Donald Trump and the GOP’s approach to immigration by 36 points, 54 percent to 18 percent, even college-educated voters are split on whether to side with Democrats. College-educated voters — who typically oppose President Trump — are split on the issue. 38 percent of college-educated voters say President Trump and the GOP have a better approach to immigration, and 38 percent say Democrats do. Hispanics are also split evenly, with 29 percent siding with President Trump and the GOP, while 29 percent side with Democrats. These numbers prove that despite fearmongering from activists, President Trump’s immigration policies are gaining support from swing voters, and a majority of Americans believe the GOP has the better approach to border security.
Economic perception appears to be a factor driving down President Trump’s approval rating, with voters saying by 24 points, 59 percent to 35 percent, the economy is very or fairly bad. Just 35 percent of Americans believe the economy is very or fairly good. Voters cite food prices (89 percent), gas process (65 percent), the housing market (60 percent), and national job reports (57 percent) as areas they are using to evaluate the economy.
Despite voters being critical of the speed of the economic recovery under President Trump, voters do not say they want to hand the reins back to Democrats in 2026. They survey shows voters say President Donald Trump and Republicans have the better approach to economic policy compared to Democrats by six points, 33 percent to 27 percent.
Voters may criticize various aspects of the Trump Administration’s execution, but on crucial issues, voters still trust Trump and the GOP over Democrats. In addition, voters acknowledge that despite facing harsher backlash than he did in his first term, President Donald Trump has accomplished more this term. A Jan. 19 YouGov survey reveals voters say 37 percent to 33 percent that President Trump has accomplished more this term compared to his first term. This comes as voters admit in another Jan. 19 survey that opposition to President Trump has been stronger this term than it was in his first term. Americans say opposition to President Trump has been stronger compared to his first term by 31 percentage points, 48 percent to 17 percent.
While Democrats currently hold a 4.4 percentage-point lead in the latest generic congressional ballot average from Real Clear Polling, is it worth admitting that voters do not appear to trust the Democratic Party on a majority of the issues facing the country. In addition, despite a Democrat hailstorm against President Donald Trump in his second term, the American people largely prefer Trump and the GOP’s approach to major issues and believe Trump has accomplished more this term despite stronger opposition.
Manzanita Miller is the senior political analyst at Americans for Limited Government Foundation.
