Overview

• Fifty‑eight percent of Americans say the military should only be deployed to face external threats, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released Wednesday.
• Party splits are stark, with 72% of Democrats and 51% of Republicans favoring use only for external threats, and 53% of unaffiliated respondents agreeing.
• Just 37% say the president should be able to send troops into a state over a governor’s objection, while 48% oppose that authority.
• Eighty‑three percent say the armed forces should remain politically neutral, including 93% of Democrats, 78% of Republicans and 80% of unaffiliated respondents.
• Legal battles continue over federalized Guard missions, with a judge blocking deployments to Portland, and separate litigation unfolding as about 500 Guard troops arrived in the Chicago area Wednesday over objections from Illinois and Chicago leaders.