New NPR Poll Shows 61% Of Americans Disapprove Of Trump’s National Emergency Declaration

A new poll released Tuesday reveals a majority of Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump‘s national emergency proclamation to build the southern border wall.

The NPR/Marist College survey shows just over six in ten voters (61%) disapprove of Trump’s declaration. Meanwhile, 36 percent of Americans approve of the president’s decision. Trump declared the emergency on Friday after lawmakers — especially Democrats — refused to grant him full funding for the barrier. The president admitted to reporters that he didn’t need to take this action, although he did it anyway because he knew it would help him secure funding for up to 200 miles of the wall faster. Trump diverted money from other federal departments like Defense to obtain the funds.

Results that took into account political party concluded that a majority of both Democrats and Independents disapproved of the emergency declaration.

In total, 94 percent of Democrats surveyed said they don’t like Trump’s decision, and 63 percent of Independents said the same. Meanwhile, only 12 percent of Republicans disapproved of Trump’s declaration and 85 percent approved.

When asked if they agree with Trump that there is an emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, 58 percent of respondents said no, while 84 percent of GOP voters said yes.

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Additionally, 60 percent of Independents revealed they wish to see Trump’s emergency declaration challenged in court, something lawmakers like Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the Senate majority leader, warned him could happen if he used his executive powers.

“All things related to the declaring of a national emergency, the president is striking out in the court of public opinion,” said Marist College poll director Lee Miringoff, according to NPR. “He’s maintaining his base and little else.

The NPR/Marist poll was conducted from Feb. 15 to 17 among 807 American adults. Its margin of error is 4.6 percentage points.