Trump's Approval Plummets Amid Growing Discontent Over Shutdown Handling

The poll results reflect a growing discontent among some of Trump's supporters, with many expressing frustration over the president's handling of the partial government shutdown, which lasted for 35 days and resulted in the furlough of over 800,000 federal employees. "The shutdown was a disaster, and it's clear that the president's approach was not effective," said Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. "We need to find a way to work together to address the needs of the American people, rather than engaging in partisan gridlock." The AP-NORC poll also found that independents' approval of Trump's government management dropped significantly, from 41% in March to 26% in the latest survey. This decline is particularly notable, as independents often play a crucial role in shaping public opinion and influencing election outcomes. "The president's approval ratings have been declining for some time, and it's clear that his policies are not resonating with a significant portion of the American public," said a spokesperson for the Democratic National Committee. The poll was conducted from January 9-14, 2020, among a random sample of 1,056 adults in the United States. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.7 percentage points. The survey was conducted after Democrats' recent victories in off-year elections, including the gubernatorial election in Virginia and the mayoral election in New York City, but before Congress took major steps to try to end the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The decline in Trump's approval ratings is a significant shift from earlier in his second term, when the president's approval ratings were higher. In March, 43% of U.S. adults approved of the way Trump was managing the government, according to an AP-NORC poll. However, the latest survey suggests that the president's approval ratings have continued to decline, with many Americans expressing frustration over his handling of key issues, including the partial government shutdown and his trade policies. The current status of Trump's approval ratings is a concern for the president and his allies, as the 2020 election approaches. The president's campaign has been focusing on energizing his base and winning over independents, but the latest poll suggests that this strategy may not be effective. The next developments in this story will likely focus on the president's efforts to regain public support and the impact of his policies on the 2020 election.