Poll Reveals Shift in American Attitudes Toward U.S. Military Interventions

Wed Jan 14 2026 16:24:14 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent AP-NORC poll indicates that over half of U.S. adults believe military interventions by President Trump have gone too far, highlighting a divergence in public opinion about foreign policy.

An AP-NORC poll shows that 56% of U.S. adults think President Trump's use of military power abroad has exceeded acceptable bounds. While opinions vary widely across party lines, many see potential benefits from intervention in Venezuela to combat drug trafficking. Overall, a significant number of Americans express a desire for the U.S. to adopt a less active global role.

Following a new AP-NORC poll, it has come to light that over half of U.S. adults (56%) believe President Trump has overstepped in employing U.S. military force in foreign affairs. This shift in perspective occurs amidst controversial military actions, including efforts to control Venezuelan oil and recently reported interventions in global matters.

According to the poll, which was conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, many Americans harbor skepticism about military actions abroad. While some believe that the intervention in Venezuela might disrupt the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S. and could potentially benefit the Venezuelan populace, general approval of Trump's foreign policy is low.

Divisive Opinions Across the Aisles

Republicans largely support Trump’s military decisions, with about 71% approving that his actions have been 'about right.' However, this sentiment is notably less among Democrats and independents, with nearly 90% of Democrats feeling he has gone too far in military actions.

Despite stark partisan divides, a significant portion of Americans (nearly half) now express a preference for a more reserved U.S. global presence. Only about 20% advocate for increased involvement abroad, particularly Republicans who seem wary of straying from Trump’s indicated foreign policies.

Implications of Military Action

Poll insights suggest that much of the American public split on perceived benefits of intervention – especially regarding drug trafficking, where 80% of Republicans endorsed the view that intervention would aid in halting illegal activity. While the effectiveness of such military actions remains disputed, the prevailing mindset leans towards a less interventionist approach from the U.S. in pending global confrontations.

The poll results pose questions about the future of U.S. foreign policy as the landscape of public opinion continues to evolve, reflecting an increased apprehension about military engagements globally. This reflects a broader concern about whether continued military action aligns with the U.S.'s national interests.

The AP-NORC poll surveyed 1,203 adults and boasts a margin of error of ±3.9 percentage points, marking a significant insight into the shifting perceptions of military involvement among the American populace.