Overview

• The AP/NORC survey, conducted Aug. 21–25 among 1,182 adults, reports a 5-point monthly increase in overall approval to 45% with a margin of error of about 3.8 points.
• A narrow majority, about 53%, approve of the president’s handling of crime, while two-thirds see crime as a major problem nationally and 81% say it is a major problem in large cities.
• Majorities view crime as a minor issue in small towns or rural areas (64%) and in their own community (55%), underscoring a pronounced geographic divide.
• Fifty-five percent say it is acceptable for the U.S. military and National Guard to aid local police in major cities, but 55% call federal control of local police departments unacceptable and about one-third support such takeovers.
• Partisan gaps are stark: 88% of Republicans approve of his crime handling compared with 83% of Democrats who disapprove, and independents are roughly split at 46% approve to 45% disapprove.