Americans Divided on Trump's National Guard Crackdown: Only 34% Support Deployment

Americans Divided on Trump's National Guard Deployments A new NPR-Ipsos poll released September 27, 2025, reveals that Americans are concerned about crime but do not broadly support President Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard to police U.S. cities. According to the survey, only 34% of respondents supported the use of National Guard troops in their local communities, while 44% opposed it. The remaining 22% were undecided or had no opinion. "We're seeing a significant partisan divide on this issue," said Chris Jackson, vice president of public affairs at Ipsos. "Democrats and independents are much more likely to oppose the deployment of National Guard troops than Republicans." The poll also found that Americans are concerned about crime in their communities, with 61% saying they feel less safe due to rising crime rates. "This is not a surprise," said Dr. Maria Haberfeld, a criminology expert at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. "Crime rates have been increasing in many cities across the United States, and people are looking for solutions." However, experts point out that deploying National Guard troops to police cities may not be an effective solution. "The use of military force to address social issues is often a last resort," said Dr. Haberfeld. "It's a Band-Aid solution that doesn't address the underlying causes of crime." The deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., has been particularly contentious, with many critics arguing it is an overreach of executive power. "This is a classic case of using military force to suppress dissent and maintain order," said Dr. Mark Krasovic, a law professor at the University of California, Berkeley. "It's a slippery slope that can lead to further militarization of our cities." The NPR-Ipsos poll was conducted September 18-22 among a sample of 1,005 adults in the United States. Background President Trump announced the deployment of National Guard troops to police U.S. cities in July 2025, citing rising crime rates and concerns about public safety. The move has been criticized by many civil liberties groups and experts who argue it is an overreach of executive power. Global Context The use of military force to address social issues is not unique to the United States. Many countries have deployed troops to maintain order in their cities, often with mixed results. In Brazil, for example, the deployment of military police to Rio de Janeiro's favelas has been criticized for its heavy-handed approach and human rights abuses. Next Developments The NPR-Ipsos poll is likely to fuel ongoing debates about the use of National Guard troops in U.S. cities. As crime rates continue to rise, policymakers will need to weigh the effectiveness of deploying military force against the potential risks and consequences. In the meantime, experts are urging caution and calling for more nuanced solutions to address the root causes of crime. "We need to be careful not to militarize our cities," said Dr. Haberfeld. "We need to focus on addressing the underlying social issues that drive crime." *Reporting by Npr.*