President Trumpโs job approval rating has reached a personal record, according to a recent AP-NORC poll. After more than six months in office, and just two weeks after sending the National Guard to assist local police in Washington D.C., Trumpโs approval jumped five pointsโfrom 40% in July to 45% today.
This 45% rating marks the highest level since the AP first began tracking his job approval in 2016.
Public Concern Over Crime
The poll highlights widespread public concern about crime. While some Democratic officials have downplayed violent crime, the AP-NORC survey found that two-thirds of Americans consider crime a major problem nationwide, and 8 in 10 see it as a serious issue in large cities.
Moreover, 55% of respondentsโincluding 30% of Democrats and 46% of Independentsโsay it is โcompletelyโ or โsomewhat acceptableโ to deploy the U.S. military and National Guard to support local police.
On crime specifically, 53% approve of Trumpโs handling, while 45% disapprove.
Economic Approval Also Rises
Trump also experienced a five-point gain in public approval for his handling of the economy. Forty-three percent now approve, up from 38% last month, while 54% disapprove.
The AP-NORC results align closely with the RealClearPolitics average, which shows 46.2% approval versus 50.9% disapproval.
The Impact of Federal Action
Analysts suggest that Trumpโs proactive response to rising crime in Washington D.C. contributed to the boost in approval. By stepping in where local authorities struggled, the presidentโs approach drew a clear contrast with critics who argued the crime problem was overstated.
Historically, taking action on public safety has been a popular political move. Enforcing the law and targeting violent crime tends to resonate strongly with voters.
