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Democracy On The Brink Nearly 3 In 4 Americans Say Yes

Leo Migdal
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democracy on the brink nearly 3 in 4 americans say yes

A new NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll reveals that nearly 73% of Americans believe democracy in the United States is at risk, citing political violence and deep partisan divisions as the main threats. The concern spans party lines, with 89% of Democrats, 57% of Republicans, and 80% of independents expressing worries about the stability of American democracy. The survey highlights a rare consensus amid a politically polarized nation. Confidence in political leaders remains low. Only 43% of respondents approve of President Donald Trump’s administration, and approval ratings for Congress are even lower—27% among Democrats and 35% among Republicans. The survey also shows stark differences on immigration policy, with Republicans more likely to support deporting undocumented immigrants, even those working in critical industries.

The poll indicates particular anxiety among white college-educated women and Baby Boomers, groups that express the highest concern over political violence. This unease is likely fueled by recent events marked by protests, threats, and escalating political tensions. Notably, 83% of Americans agree that presidents should obey court orders, reflecting ongoing debates about executive power during the Trump administration. A new study from the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University and Public Agenda finds that Americans are deeply concerned about the state of U.S. democracy and that growing divisions within the Republican Party deepen partisan divides over how the Constitution should guide presidential authority and the balance of power. The report draws from a national survey of 4,500 Americans, earlier polling, and three focus groups with Republican participants.

It builds on prior SNF Agora research documenting Republican disagreement about the legitimacy of the 2020 election. It shows that these differences now extend to views of presidential power, constitutional limits, elections, and trust in government. The research identifies three distinct groups within the Republican Party: "Americans share deep concern for our democracy, but we do not all have the same reasons," said Andrew Seligsohn, president of Public Agenda. "Republicans in particular are divided between those who support unfettered presidential power and those who believe checks and balances are essential to the integrity of our constitutional order. These differences represent a deep cleavage in the Republican Party with consequences for the future of American democracy."

Across parties, most Americans express concern about U.S. democracy: About three-quarters of Americans say democracy is under serious threat, according to a new poll from NPR, PBS News and Marist. A similar number also see politically motivated violence as a major problem. Ahead of the Independence Day holiday and the country's 249th birthday, three-quarters of Americans say democracy is under serious threat. That's according to a new poll from NPR, PBS News and Marist.

A similar number also see politically motivated violence as a major problem. MARTIN: NPR political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro is here to talk about these results, as well as the general atmosphere around politics in this country right now. Good morning, Domenico. MARTIN: So let's start with this question about the state of democracy. What did the poll ask, and what stood out to you about the answers? Ali Swenson, Associated Press Ali Swenson, Associated Press

Linley Sanders, Associated Press Linley Sanders, Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Roughly 3 in 4 American adults believe the upcoming presidential election is vital to the future of U.S. democracy, although which candidate they think poses the greater threat depends on their political leanings, according to a poll. The survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that most Democrats, Republicans and independents see the election as “very important” or “extremely important” to democracy, while Democrats have a higher... More than half of Democrats say the November election is “extremely important” to the future of U.S. democracy, compared to about 4 in 10 independents and Republicans.

Democrat Pamela Hanson, 67, of Amery, Wisconsin, said she has grave concerns for the future of democracy in the country if Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump gets elected. FILE - Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz arrive at a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Aug. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) FILE - Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump and Republican vice presidential nominee Sen.

JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrive a campaign rally, July 20, 2024, in Grand Rapids, Mich. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) NEW YORK (AP) — Roughly 3 in 4 American adults believe the upcoming presidential election is vital to the future of U.S. democracy, although which candidate they think poses the greater threat depends on their political leanings, according to a poll. The survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that most Democrats, Republicans and independents see the election as “very important” or “extremely important” to democracy, while Democrats have a higher... More than half of Democrats say the November election is “extremely important” to the future of U.S.

democracy, compared to about 4 in 10 independents and Republicans. Democrat Pamela Hanson, 67, of Amery, Wisconsin, said she has grave concerns for the future of democracy in the country if Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump gets elected. The state of democracy and the economy in the U.S. were the top issues on the minds of voters as they cast ballots in the presidential election, according to preliminary results from the NBC News Exit Poll. Asked to choose among five issues, 34% of voters said democracy mattered most to their votes, while 31% said the economy. Abortion (14%) and immigration (11%) ranked as the next-most-important issues, while just 4% named foreign policy.

Men and women both said the state of democracy was their most important issue, followed by the economy. Two in 10 women said abortion was most important, compared with 8% of men. Immigration was ranked slightly higher among men (12%) than women (10%). Foreign policy lagged behind as a priority for both groups. The exit poll results can shift throughout the night as more interviews are conducted and more votes are counted. The issue priorities reflected deep concerns among the electorate.

Roughly 3 in 4 voters said they think democracy in the U.S. today is threatened, while just a quarter said democracy is secure. Roughly 2 in 3 voters said the nation’s economy is either not good or poor, while just one-third of voters assessed economic conditions as excellent or good. More than three in four Americans think that the issues that divide the nation present a serious threat to the future of democracy in the United States. This marks a modest increase in the proportion who believe that U.S. democracy is at risk.

While most Americans still believe that the rights to non-violent protest and freedom of the press are still strong, fewer have this view since early January. More than three in four Americans (77%) say, when thinking about the issues that divide the nation, there is a serious threat to the future of U.S. democracy. This is up from 73% in January 2025. 22% of U.S. residents currently say there is not a serious threat to the nation’s democracy.

Democrats (91%) and independents (83%) are more likely than Republicans to think there is a serious threat to the future of democracy. But still, a majority of Republicans (56%) have this view. When thinking about a strong democracy, 84% of Americans believe that the right of individuals to participate in non-violent protests in the United States is alive and well. This is down from 91% in January. 16% of Americans currently either disagree or strongly disagree that this liberty is working well in the United States. Republicans (88%) are slightly more likely than Democrats (81%) and independents (84%) to think the ability to conduct non-violent protests in the United States is working well.

Regardless of party, this marks a decline from January 2025. Strategies, Tactics, & Tips For How Everyday Americans Can Fight Back Together Wherever We Live If there's one universally accepted truth in the modern age, it's that sequels suck. And Trump 2.0 will be no exception. Trump, Vance, and their MAGA minions feel vindicated by the victory of their bigoted, fascistic clown show of a presidential campaign. Trump takes office with a plan to institute the worst parts of Project 2025.

He’ll be enabled by a judiciary packed with right-wing ideologues and a congressional majority stacked with MAGA foot soldiers. And he’s assembled a bloc of corporations and billionaires eager to do his bidding in exchange for tax cuts and corrupt favors. But he has no mandate for the staggeringly harmful agenda he’s about to unleash on the country. And together, we have the power to fight back — and win. Democracy is in grave peril, but it is not dead. Fascists depend on convincing us to give our power away and fall in line, that the fight is over and we lost.

And while we must be clear-eyed about the threat, we must not do the fascists’ work for them by giving them powers they do not have. Trump wants to govern as a dictator, but he has the slimmest possible congressional majority and a grossly unpopular agenda. Winning an election with 49.9% of the vote (of those who voted) does not make him a Dictator for Life and does not make Project 2025 the law of the land. The truth is that political power resides in many places — from local to state to federal. To stave off the fascists, we must tap into that power in every corner of our country. We must organize ourselves to block their attacks, break MAGA’s political strength, and build a winning majority coalition of our own.

Leadership in this moment must come from regular people, not just politicians. Elected Democrats will need our encouragement, support, and cajoling to find their spines and fight back. Elected Republicans can and must break with MAGA or be held accountable for the harm they cause. This guide outlines concrete strategies and tactics that collectively will help us limit harm, win in 2026, and throw MAGA out in 2028. Eight years ago, we wrote the Indivisible Guide to organizing locally to pressure Congress and block the Trump agenda. Now, we’re offering our best advice on how everyday people can organize to stop Trump 2.0.

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