Overview
- A late-December internal GOP survey reviewed by Trump's team found 60% of independents and 58% of undecided voters saying he is too focused on deportations, with 33% believing law-abiding people are being targeted.
- Public polling echoed the slide, with CNN and YouGov finding most Americans say ICE is making cities less safe, and an AP survey after Renee Good’s death showing 38% approval of Trump’s immigration policies.
- The White House is publicly sticking with escalation, with Trump threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota and sending more federal agents as the state sues to halt the operations.
- Some advisers are discussing a recalibration of tactics, saying Trump supports mass deportations but dislikes the current optics of the operations.
- Concerns about the raids' conduct have been raised by several congressional Republicans and by prominent supporter Joe Rogan, adding to pressure over the enforcement strategy.