This newsletter analyzes early polls on President Trump's second term, highlighting both his strengths and weaknesses. It also reports on a federal judge accusing the Trump administration of defying a court order regarding a funding freeze.
Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics team’s latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail. Happy Monday, and congrats to all the Eagles fans out there. Three weeks into Donald Trump ’s second term , we’re starting to get the first raft of polling that shows what the American public makes of it all so far. Ben Kamisar breaks down the most notable data points.
Plus, a judge accuses the administration of defying a court order as the legal battles over Trump’s agenda ramp up. Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here. — Adam WollnerWhat the polls can tell us about the early days of Trump's second termPolling the early weeks of a new administration can be difficult for a whole host of reasons. The short version: Things are moving fast, and voters may take their time processing the changes since the election. But a few things stand out from the early polls on President Donald Trump’s second term. Most show his standing slightly improved from when he first entered office in 2017, and there is broad popular agreement among the public with some of his major proposals. Still, there are real warning signs about the mandate Trump is claiming amid a deeply divided electorate, the surveys show, as well as the risk of losing sight of one of the key issues that got him back to the White House: frustration with rising prices.The polling pros for Trump: Trump’s approval rating right now is in the high 40s and low 50s in different polls, overall a few ticks higher than it was in early 2017. (We saw a similar pattern in the polling released right before and just as Trump took office.) Unsurprisingly, these numbers are powered primarily by overwhelming partisan differences and a deep split among independent voters. But a recent Pew Research Center study shows Republicans more confident with Trump than they were in 2017 on issues like his mental fitness and his ability to act ethically and pick good advisers. Polling broadly shows support for some of Trump’s major priorities. Majorities across multiple polls say they back widespread deportations (59% in a recent CBS News/YouGov poll). And pre-inauguration polling found support for prioritizing domestic problems over international ones and for banning transgender women from playing women’s sports.The polling cons for Trump: But where Trump has pushed his issue agenda toward his party’s right flank, he loses support. His decision to pardon those who were convicted of violent crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol is clearly unpopular, as polls from Pew and The Economist/YouGov show. YouGov polling with both CBS and The Economist found Trump’s proposed tariffs on Mexico and Canada are unpopular, too, and that under one-quarter of those polled want billionaire Elon Musk to have a lot of influence on the Trump administration. And while Trump told “Meet the Press” in December, “I won on the border and I won on groceries,” 66% of Americans said in the CBS News/YouGov poll that the administration isn’t focusing enough on “lowering the prices of goods and services,” despite the economy topping the list of most urgent issues in a recent Quinnipiac University poll. And 51% of Americans in the CBS News/YouGov poll say Trump’s policies will make grocery prices increase, while only 28% think they’ll push prices down.Bottom line: It’s all a reminder that despite Trump claiming a sweeping mandate after an election that put Republicans in full control of Washington, we’re still living in the same divided country we were before Election Day. When Pew asked Americans whether Trump would make government better or worse, 41% said better, 42% said worse — and a small, decisive middle portion wasn’t sure which way to lean.Judge accuses Trump administration of defying a court orderThe legal battle over President Donald Trump’s agenda is continuing to ramp up: Chloe Atkins, Fallon Gallagher and Dareh Gregorian report that a federal judge in Rhode Island found the administration violated his order halting a sweeping federal funding freeze and ordered the government to “immediately restore frozen funding.” As Ken Dilanian notes, it’s the first time since Trump’s second inauguration that a federal judge has accused his administration of defying a court order. U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell handed down the order after the plaintiffs in the case, a coalition of 22 states, said the government had not restored funding in several programs despite his Jan. 31 order temporarily halting the wide-ranging Office of Management and Budget directive that had caused chaos and confusion across the country. Justice Department lawyers argued in a court filing that they didn’t believe the order covered some of the frozen funding, and that some of the funding at issue is under review to make sure it’s “appropriate.”
DONALD TRUMP SECOND TERM POLLS LEGAL BATTLES FUNDING FREEZE COURT ORDER
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump Cabinet Picks: RFK Jr.'s Confirmation Hearing and Early Polling on Trump's Second TermThis newsletter delves into the key moments from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation hearing for HHS Secretary, highlighting his stance on vaccines, abortion, and Medicaid. It also examines early polling data regarding President Trump's second term, revealing his improved image rating compared to his first inauguration.
Read more »
Trump's Plans for Second Term: Early Focus on the Economy and ImmigrationThis article discusses Donald Trump's plans for his second term, highlighting his expected focus on the economy and immigration. It analyzes his transition into office, the level of support he enjoys, and how his first 100 days could shape his presidency. The article also compares his approach to his first term and considers the potential challenges he might face.
Read more »
Trump Administration Dismantles Federal Government's Online Footprint in Early Days of Second TermIn the first few days of his second presidency, Donald Trump has overseen a significant overhaul of the federal government's online presence. Key changes include the removal of the Spanish-language White House website, the deletion of accessibility disclaimers, and the erasure of web pages related to reproductive rights and diversity.
Read more »
Trump Pardons Spark Controversy in Early Days of Second TermPresident Trump has issued a flurry of pardons and commutations in his first week back in office, drawing attention and criticism. These actions, seen as rewards for supporters, have included pardons for controversial figures like Ross Ulbricht, convicted for running the dark web drug marketplace Silk Road, and anti-abortion activists. Trump's early use of his clemency power, atypical for presidents, has set a new precedent and raised questions about his motives and the criteria for these pardons. Critics argue that these pardons undermine justice and reward wrongdoing, while supporters praise Trump for keeping campaign promises and exercising his constitutional authority.
Read more »
Legal Challenges Mount Against Trump Administration in Early Days of Second TermThis newsletter details the legal challenges facing the Trump administration in its second term, including lawsuits over federal spending freezes, birthright citizenship, National Labor Relations Board removals, and more. The article highlights early court rulings against the administration and the potential for these cases to reach the Supreme Court.
Read more »
Trump's Second Term: A Home for First-Term RejectsSeveral individuals who were rejected by the Trump administration during its first term are experiencing a resurgence in the second term. This includes Darren Beattie, Andrew Puzder, and Mark Green, each facing controversies and setbacks during their initial appointments but now finding renewed favor with the former president.
Read more »