WASHINGTON - According to results from a January poll conducted by a reputable public affairs research organization, a majority of adults in the United States believe that President Donald Trump has extended American military involvement beyond acceptable boundaries. The survey, carried out between January 8 and 11, shortly after the U.S.-led efforts to detain Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, reveals that 56 percent of respondents consider Trump's military interventions overseas to have gone too far.
In addition to this prevailing view, the poll uncovers a general dissatisfaction among U.S. citizens concerning President Trump's approach to foreign policy, both broadly and with specific regard to Venezuela. This disconnect contrasts with Trump's recent assertive international posture, which includes ambitions to control Venezuelan oil resources, propositions for territorial acquisition of Greenland, and declarations promising U.S. assistance to Iranian protesters.
Respondents recognized some advantages to the Venezuelan intervention, notably as a measure to curb illegal drug trafficking into the United States and as potentially beneficial to the Venezuelan population itself. Nonetheless, fewer participants perceived these actions as enhancing U.S. national security or bolstering the country’s economic position. Notably, while most Republicans align with Trump's military initiatives, their support generally does not extend to advocating for expanded intervention, reflecting a nuanced stance in light of Trump's "America First" campaign rhetoric.
Among partisan groups, opposition to military overreach is predominantly voiced by Democrats and independents, with about 90 percent of Democrats and around 60 percent of independents expressing concern that Trump has exceeded prudent limits on military involvement. In contrast, approximately 20 percent of Republicans share this view, evidencing the partisan divide in perception of foreign military engagement. This dynamic is significant amid ongoing foreign policy decisions, including Trump's remarks about forcibly acquiring Greenland should diplomatic negotiations with Denmark fail and assurances to protect peaceful demonstrators in Iran.