Sept. 3–5 CBS News/YouGov poll of 2,385 U.S. adults (margin of error ±2.5 points) finds Americans split over President Trump’s reported deployments of the National Guard to U.S. cities: Republicans largely support the measure while Democrats and many city residents oppose it.
Key Takeaways
- Republicans and Trump supporters overwhelmingly view Guard deployments as crime-reducing and say it increases their sense of safety.
- Majorities of Democrats and urban residents oppose sending Guard troops to other cities, citing risks to rights and doubts about effectiveness.
- Opinion is more strongly tied to partisanship than strictly to geography; rural Americans are more favorable overall.
- Most Americans think both the president and state or local leaders should have authority to deploy the Guard; very few support unilateral presidential-only authority.
- The deployments may shift political attention toward immigration and crime for Trump’s base, modestly improving his standing among supporters.
Verified Facts
The CBS News/YouGov poll interviewed 2,385 U.S. adults between Sept. 3 and Sept. 5, 2025, with results weighted to match national demographics and 2024 presidential vote; the margin of sampling error is ±2.5 percentage points.
Majorities of respondents opposed the idea of sending National Guard troops to cities; those in favor are concentrated in Trump’s Republican base. Supporters say deployments reduce crime and make them personally safer, even if they do not live in the targeted cities. Opponents say such deployments would weaken civil liberties and are unlikely to lower crime.
Partisan differences are marked: Republican approval of the president has risen to above 90% among his supporters in this poll, and overall approval is up two points after declines earlier in his term. Many Republicans prioritize immigration and deportation policies — alongside crime — when evaluating the president, which likely informs views on Guard deployments.
On related economic and institutional questions, the poll finds continued skepticism about tariffs and financial impacts: roughly four in 10 Americans say they are buying fewer goods because of tariffs, and support for tariffs is strongest within the Republican and MAGA base. Most respondents favor an independent Federal Reserve; MAGA Republicans are likelier than other Republicans to want the Fed aligned with the president.
Context & Impact
Deploying the National Guard to U.S. cities has both immediate and political consequences. Practically, public safety officials and local leaders evaluate whether troops supplement or complicate civilian policing. Politically, the measure can reframe public debate, shifting attention from inflation and the economy toward immigration and crime among the president’s supporters.
Because opinion differs sharply by party, the deployments are unlikely to unify national sentiment. Instead, they may solidify support within the Republican base while increasing distrust among Democrats and many urban residents. The poll suggests the moves could modestly bolster Trump’s standing with core supporters even as they intensify partisan polarization.
Official Statements
Supporters say Guard presences can reduce crime and increase personal safety; critics argue the deployments risk civil liberties and seem politically motivated.
CBS News poll summary
Unconfirmed
- Long-term effects of Guard deployments on crime rates remain uncertain and are not resolved by this poll.
- Motivations attributed to the president—whether security-driven or political—are perceived differently by partisans and cannot be conclusively determined from public opinion alone.
Bottom Line
The CBS News/YouGov poll shows a nation divided: Republicans generally support National Guard deployments and feel safer, while Democrats and many city residents oppose them on rights and effectiveness grounds. The issue reinforces partisan splits and may shift political focus for the president’s base.