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Atlantic
3 days ago
- Politics
- Atlantic
Trump Seems to Be Backing Off His Anti-War Stance
Donald Trump returned to office as president in January with both democratic legitimacy and a mandate to accomplish what he'd promised during his campaign. One of his promises was clear, consistent, and unmistakable: to put 'America First' by ending our involvement in risky and expensive overseas conflicts. Yet Trump's recent support for Israel's escalating attacks on Iran—and his intimations that the United States may become directly involved in the conflict—suggests that he is well on the way to betraying his anti-war mandate. Trump has repeatedly pitched himself as a peace candidate during his political career. In 2016, he ran to Hillary Clinton's left on foreign policy, arguing that she was 'trigger happy' and that foreign adventurism 'has produced only turmoil and suffering and death.' Trump returned to this message in his most recent race. He came out of the gate at his first campaign stops in 2023 by promising to restore peace after, he claimed, then-President Joe Biden had brought the world 'to the brink of World War III.' When Kamala Harris took up the mantle for the Democrats, Trump warned his rallygoers that, if she was elected, their 'sons and daughters will end up getting drafted to go fight for a war in a country that you've never heard of.' His claims were dubious and hyperbolic, but in both of his successful campaigns, Trump correctly recognized what many pundits, politicians, and liberals failed to see: The Democratic Party establishment's foreign-policy positions are out of step with the views of most Americans. A Pew Research survey released in April found that a majority of Americans (53 percent) do not believe that the U.S. has a responsibility to help Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. According to a March poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, strong majorities of Americans say they want a cease-fire in both the Ukraine-Russia (61 percent) and Israel-Palestine conflicts (59 percent); a May poll by the University of Maryland found that an even stronger majority of Americans prefers negotiation with Iran (69 percent) over striking its nuclear facilities (14 percent). Biden's presidency was historically unpopular for any number of reasons, but an important one was his focus on wars in Europe and the Middle East while issues such as immigration and inflation roiled the country. Although Trump's bombs-away militarism during his first term was far from dovish, one of his few unambiguously positive accomplishments was that he managed to avoid entangling American troops in any new large-scale conflicts. His anti-war rhetoric and no-big-wars track record, combined with Harris's refusal to break with Biden on foreign policy, her embracing of endorsements from the Iraq War–associated Cheneys, and her identification of Iran (rather than Russia or China) as the United States' greatest adversary, seem to have led many Americans to view Trump as the candidate more likely to pursue peace. By clear margins, voters trusted Trump over Harris to handle foreign conflicts. Were he to turn around and now involve the country in just the sort of war he's spent years decrying, he would join his predecessor in allowing international imbroglios to derail the domestic agenda that he was elected, for better or worse, to enact. The Trump administration is sending mixed signals about its plans. Although the president has suggested that the United States may get involved in the clash between Israel and Iran, other officials quietly insist the U.S. won't become an active participant unless Iran targets Americans. As for Israel's claims that Iran is months away from creating a nuclear weapon—claims that Israeli officials have repeated since the early 2000s —the U.S. intelligence community, including Trump's director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, dispute that these plans are under way. The president appears unmoved, telling reporters, 'I don't care' what Gabbard said about Iran's nuclear program. 'I think they were very close to having one,' Trump insisted. Americans have rejected the path to war at the ballot box again and again in the past decade and a half, ever since Barack Obama burst onto the campaign trail in 2007 with a speech in which he called the Second Gulf War 'a tragic mistake' and invoked 'the families who have lost loved ones, the hearts that have been broken, and the young lives that could have been.' Trump has innumerable faults, many of them disqualifying, but he has also grasped better than many politicians that the American people are exhausted by decades of pro-war, world-policing foreign policy. Trump promised something different, something voters very much wanted: a focus on issues at home rather than conflicts abroad that might drag the United States into another disastrous war.
Toronto Star
5 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Star
Americans want Medicaid and food stamps funding maintained or increased, AP-NORC poll shows
WASHINGTON (AP) — As Republican senators consider President Donald Trump's big bill that could slash federal spending and extend tax cuts, a new survey shows most U.S. adults don't think the government is overspending on the programs the GOP has focused on cutting, like Medicaid and food stamps. Americans broadly support increasing or maintaining existing levels of funding for popular safety net programs, including Social Security and Medicare, according to the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. They're more divided on spending around the military and border security, and most think the government is spending too much on foreign aid. The poll points to a disconnect between Republicans' policy agenda and public sentiment around the domestic programs that are up for debate in the coming weeks. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Here's the latest polling data on how Americans view federal funding: Most want Medicaid and SNAP funding increased or kept as is Many Americans see Medicaid and food assistance programs as underfunded — even as Congress proposes significant cuts to Medicaid and food and nutrition assistance programs — and few say 'too much' money is going to these programs. About half of U.S. adults say 'too little' funding goes to Medicaid, which is a government health care coverage program for low-income people and people with certain disabilities. Nearly half, 45%, say food and nutrition assistance programs like food stamps, SNAP or EBT cards are underfunded, according to the poll. About 3 in 10 U.S. adults in each case say those programs are receiving 'about the right amount' of funding, indicating that most Americans likely do not want to see significant cuts to the two programs. About 2 in 10 say Medicaid is overfunded, while about one-quarter say that about food assistance programs. Republicans are especially likely to say 'too much' is spent on food and nutrition assistance programs when compared with Democrats and independents — 46% of Republicans say this, compared with about 1 in 10 Democrats and independents. When it comes to Medicaid, fewer Republicans, about one-third, say the government is spending 'too much.' Many believe Medicare, Social Security and education are underfunded About 6 in 10 Americans say there is not enough government money going toward Social Security, Medicare or education broadly. But Democrats overwhelmingly think 'too little' money is allocated to these areas, while Republicans are happier with the status quo. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Very few think Medicare, Social Security and education are getting 'too much' funding. Only about 1 in 10 Republicans say this about either Medicare or Social Security. Roughly one-quarter of Republicans say too much is spent on education. When it comes to Social Security, about half of Republicans say 'too little' is spent, compared with about 7 in 10 Democrats. Americans are divided on money for border security and the military Americans are more divided on whether the government is devoting too much money to the military or border security. About 3 in 10 say the government is spending 'too much' on the military, while a similar share say the government is spending 'too little.' Close to 4 in 10 say the government is spending 'about the right amount.' Republicans are much less likely to say 'too little' is being spent on border security than they were before Trump took office again in January. Now, 45% of Republicans say 'too little' is being spent, down from 79% in a January AP-NORC poll. On the other hand, Democrats are more likely to say that 'too much' is being spent on border security. About half of Democrats now say this, compared with about 3 in 10 in January. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Most US adults say foreign aid gets too much funding The Trump administration has asked Congress for deep reductions to foreign aid programs, including cuts to global health programs and refugee resettlement initiatives. Foreign aid is one area with more general agreement that there is 'too much' federal spending. Most U.S. adults, 56%, say the U.S. government is spending too much on assistance to other countries, which is down from 69% in an AP-NORC poll from March 2023. There is a deep partisan divide on the issue, though. About 8 in 10 Republicans say the country is overspending on foreign aid, compared with about one-third of Democrats. ___ The AP-NORC poll of 1,158 adults was conducted June 5-9, using a sample drawn from NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 4 percentage points.
Chicago Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
As GOP pushes spending cuts, many say Medicaid and food stamps are underfunded: AP-NORC poll
WASHINGTON — As Republican senators consider President Donald Trump's big bill that could slash federal spending and extend tax cuts, a new survey shows most U.S. adults don't think the government is overspending on the programs the GOP has focused on cutting, like Medicaid and food stamps. Americans broadly support increasing or maintaining existing levels of funding for popular safety net programs, including Social Security and Medicare, according to the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. They're more divided on spending around the military and border security, and most think the government is spending too much on foreign aid. The poll points to a disconnect between Republicans' policy agenda and public sentiment around the domestic programs that are up for debate in the coming weeks. Here's the latest polling data on how Americans view federal funding: Many Americans see Medicaid and food assistance programs as underfunded — even as Congress proposes significant cuts to Medicaid and food and nutrition assistance programs — and few say 'too much' money is going to these programs. About half of U.S. adults say 'too little' funding goes to Medicaid, which is a government health care coverage program for low-income people and people with certain disabilities. Nearly half, 45%, say food and nutrition assistance programs like food stamps, SNAP or EBT cards are underfunded, according to the poll. About 3 in 10 U.S. adults in each case say those programs are receiving 'about the right amount' of funding, indicating that most Americans likely do not want to see significant cuts to the two programs. About 2 in 10 say Medicaid is overfunded, while about one-quarter say that about food assistance programs. Republicans are especially likely to say 'too much' is spent on food and nutrition assistance programs when compared with Democrats and independents — 46% of Republicans say this, compared with about 1 in 10 Democrats and independents. When it comes to Medicaid, fewer Republicans, about one-third, say the government is spending 'too much.' About 6 in 10 Americans say there is not enough government money going toward Social Security, Medicare or education broadly. But Democrats overwhelmingly think 'too little' money is allocated to these areas, while Republicans are happier with the status quo. Very few think Medicare, Social Security and education are getting 'too much' funding. Only about 1 in 10 Republicans say this about either Medicare or Social Security. Roughly one-quarter of Republicans say too much is spent on education. When it comes to Social Security, about half of Republicans say 'too little' is spent, compared with about 7 in 10 Democrats. Americans are more divided on whether the government is devoting too much money to the military or border security. About 3 in 10 say the government is spending 'too much' on the military, while a similar share say the government is spending 'too little.' Close to 4 in 10 say the government is spending 'about the right amount.' Republicans are much less likely to say 'too little' is being spent on border security than they were before Trump took office again in January. Now, 45% of Republicans say 'too little' is being spent, down from 79% in a January AP-NORC poll. On the other hand, Democrats are more likely to say that 'too much' is being spent on border security. About half of Democrats now say this, compared with about 3 in 10 in January. The Trump administration has asked Congress for deep reductions to foreign aid programs, including cuts to global health programs and refugee resettlement initiatives. Foreign aid is one area with more general agreement that there is 'too much' federal spending. Most U.S. adults, 56%, say the U.S. government is spending too much on assistance to other countries, which is down from 69% in an AP-NORC poll from March 2023. There is a deep partisan divide on the issue, though. About 8 in 10 Republicans say the country is overspending on foreign aid, compared with about one-third of Democrats.
Toronto Star
5 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Star
As GOP pushes spending cuts, many say Medicaid and food stamps are underfunded: AP-NORC poll
WASHINGTON (AP) — As Republican senators consider President Donald Trump's big bill that could slash federal spending and extend tax cuts, a new survey shows most U.S. adults don't think the government is overspending on the programs the GOP has focused on cutting, like Medicaid and food stamps. Americans broadly support increasing or maintaining existing levels of funding for popular safety net programs, including Social Security and Medicare, according to the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. They're more divided on spending around the military and border security, and most think the government is spending too much on foreign aid.
5 days ago
- Business
AP-NORC poll: Many say Medicaid, food stamps underfunded amid GOP cuts push
WASHINGTON -- As Republican senators consider President Donald Trump's big bill that could slash federal spending and extend tax cuts, a new survey shows most U.S. adults don't think the government is overspending on the programs the GOP has focused on cutting, like Medicaid and food stamps. Americans broadly support increasing or maintaining existing levels of funding for popular safety net programs, including Social Security and Medicare, according to the poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. They're more divided on spending around the military and border security, and most think the government is spending too much on foreign aid. The poll points to a disconnect between Republicans' policy agenda and public sentiment around the domestic programs that are up for debate in the coming weeks. Here's the latest polling data on how Americans view federal funding: Many Americans see Medicaid and food assistance programs as underfunded — even as Congress proposes significant cuts to Medicaid and food and nutrition assistance programs — and few say 'too much' money is going to these programs. About half of U.S. adults say 'too little' funding goes to Medicaid, which is a government health care coverage program for low-income people and people with certain disabilities. Nearly half, 45%, say food and nutrition assistance programs like food stamps, SNAP or EBT cards are underfunded, according to the poll. About 3 in 10 U.S. adults in each case say those programs are receiving 'about the right amount' of funding, indicating that most Americans likely do not want to see significant cuts to the two programs. About 2 in 10 say Medicaid is overfunded, while about one-quarter say that about food assistance programs. Republicans are especially likely to say 'too much' is spent on food and nutrition assistance programs when compared with Democrats and independents — 46% of Republicans say this, compared with about 1 in 10 Democrats and independents. When it comes to Medicaid, fewer Republicans, about one-third, say the government is spending 'too much.' About 6 in 10 Americans say there is not enough government money going toward Social Security, Medicare or education broadly. But Democrats overwhelmingly think 'too little' money is allocated to these areas, while Republicans are happier with the status quo. Very few think Medicare, Social Security and education are getting 'too much' funding. Only about 1 in 10 Republicans say this about either Medicare or Social Security. Roughly one-quarter of Republicans say too much is spent on education. When it comes to Social Security, about half of Republicans say 'too little' is spent, compared with about 7 in 10 Democrats. Americans are more divided on whether the government is devoting too much money to the military or border security. About 3 in 10 say the government is spending 'too much' on the military, while a similar share say the government is spending 'too little.' Close to 4 in 10 say the government is spending 'about the right amount.' Republicans are much less likely to say 'too little' is being spent on border security than they were before Trump took office again in January. Now, 45% of Republicans say 'too little' is being spent, down from 79% in a January AP-NORC poll. On the other hand, Democrats are more likely to say that 'too much' is being spent on border security. About half of Democrats now say this, compared with about 3 in 10 in January. The Trump administration has asked Congress for deep reductions to foreign aid programs, including cuts to global health programs and refugee resettlement initiatives. Foreign aid is one area with more general agreement that there is 'too much' federal spending. Most U.S. adults, 56%, say the U.S. government is spending too much on assistance to other countries, which is down from 69% in an AP-NORC poll from March 2023. There is a deep partisan divide on the issue, though. About 8 in 10 Republicans say the country is overspending on foreign aid, compared with about one-third of Democrats. ___ The AP-NORC poll of 1,158 adults was conducted June 5-9, using a sample drawn from NORC's probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 4 percentage points.
