Poll: Majority of Americans Believe Democracy is Under Threat and Political Violence is a Big Problem

Tone & Political Bias: Moderately Center-Leaning

Why: The article presents the facts and figures without strong ideological bias but reflects on the significant divide between political parties and opinions on key issues.

Democracy Under Threat, Say Most Americans

A recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll reveals that a significant majority of Americans believe democracy is facing a serious threat. According to the survey, 76% of respondents feel that democracy in the United States is under imminent danger, which remains unchanged from April but shows a decrease from last August, when 87% of Americans expressed similar concerns.

Republican Views Shift on Democracy

There has been a notable shift in the perception of democracy's threat based on political affiliation. The percentage of Republicans who view democracy as being under threat has dropped significantly from 88% in April 2023 to 57% in June 2025, likely influenced by the political environment under President Joe Biden's leadership.

Meanwhile, 89% of Democrats and 80% of Independents still see democracy as under serious threat. The concerns around democracy are broad, but the reasons behind these perceptions differ across political lines.

Politically Motivated Violence Seen as a Major Problem

The survey also found that 73% of Americans consider politically motivated violence to be a serious issue facing the country. While the concerns around political violence are widespread, there are significant racial and generational divides in how the issue is perceived.

Latinos, Black voters, and younger Americans are more likely to see politically motivated violence as a major problem, though they are still less likely than white voters and older Americans to view it as an urgent concern. Among the most concerned are white women with college degrees (83%) and those aged 60 and older (81%).

Low Confidence in Political Leadership

Americans express significant discontent with political leadership, with Trump, congressional Republicans, and Democrats receiving low job approval ratings. Former President Donald Trump holds a modest 43% approval rating, which reflects his handling of various issues such as immigration, foreign policy, and the economy. Similarly, congressional Republicans have garnered a 35% approval rate, while congressional Democrats’ approval is even lower at just 27%.

Interestingly, Republicans are more approving of their party's leadership (73%) compared to Democrats' approval of theirs (44%). There is also a notable lack of confidence among older Democrats, with their approval of congressional Democrats declining the more senior they are.

Immigration: A Divisive Issue

The issue of immigration continues to be one of the most divisive topics in the U.S. Survey results show that nearly two-thirds of Americans agree that America's openness to immigrants is a crucial part of its identity. However, Republicans stand in sharp contrast to Democrats and Independents on this issue. While 85% of Democrats and 68% of Independents support the idea of an open immigration policy, 62% of Republicans believe that America risks losing its national identity if it continues to be too open.

Additionally, there is broad support for deporting people convicted of crimes who are in the country illegally, but less support for deporting agricultural and food industry workers or those with expired student visas. The survey also found that most people believe Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has gone too far in enforcing immigration laws.

Court Orders and Iran Conflict

When asked about presidential adherence to court orders, over 80% of respondents agreed that presidents should follow court orders, even if they disagree with them. However, only 22% of Republicans strongly support this principle.

The poll also highlighted a sharp divide on U.S. military action against Iran. While 84% of Republicans support attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities, 75% of Democrats and 54% of Independents oppose them. This divide reflects broader political polarization in the country.

Overall Polling Trends and Trust in Leadership

The findings of this poll come amid increasing political polarization in the U.S., particularly in the context of Trump’s second term as president. There is little faith in political leaders, with citizens across the political spectrum voicing concerns about democracy, political violence, and the role of government.