Poll Reveals Majority of U.S. Adults Oppose Trump's Military Interventions

Wed Feb 18 2026 03:01:19 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A recent AP-NORC poll shows that over half of U.S. adults disapprove of President Trump's military interventions in foreign countries, particularly in Venezuela, with calls for a less active U.S. role globally gaining traction.

An AP-NORC poll indicates that 56% of U.S. adults believe President Trump has 'gone too far' in military actions abroad, especially in Venezuela. Among Democrats and independents, the sentiment against intervention is strong, while many Republicans still support Trump's decisions. Overall, a growing number of Americans advocate for a reduced U.S. presence in international affairs.

WASHINGTON (AP) — More than half of U.S. adults believe President Donald Trump has 'gone too far' in using the U.S. military to intervene in other countries, according to a new AP-NORC poll.

The poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research was conducted following Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's capture on January 3. The results show that 56% of U.S. adults think Trump has overstepped on military interventions, with majorities disapproving of his foreign policy overall, particularly regarding Venezuela.

The findings highlight a significant divide, as they contrast sharply with Trump's aggressive foreign policy stance, which has included efforts to exert control over Venezuelan oil, proposals to take over Greenland, and commitments to assist protesters in Iran. While some view the U.S. intervention in Venezuela as beneficial for combating drug trafficking and aiding its citizens, opinions on its impact on U.S. national security and economy are mixed.

Republicans Mostly Support Trump's Actions

Despite criticism, many Republicans continue to align with Trump's approach. While U.S. military action has aimed at seizing Maduro's power, Trump has also implied he would resort to aggressive measures regarding Greenland. Contrary to this, about 9 in 10 Democrats and about 60% of independents argue that Trump has “gone too far,” whereas 71% of Republicans feel his actions have been 'about right.'

The majority of Americans (57%) disapprove of Trump's handling of the Venezuelan crisis, slightly lower than the 61% disapproval in his overall foreign policy. This aligns with his steady job approval ratings during his second term.

Public Opinion on U.S. Intervention in Venezuela

Many Americans see potential benefits from U.S. intervention in Venezuela, with about half believing it will help halt illegal drug trafficking. Approximately 44% think it will positively impact the Venezuelan populace, who have suffered under Maduro's rule. However, views on the benefits to U.S. economic and national security interests remain divided.

Republicans are significantly more optimistic regarding the intervention's impact on drug trafficking than Democrats and independents. Approximately 80% of Republicans view the military action favorably in this regard, though less than 60% believe it will enhance the U.S. economy.

Desire for Less Active U.S. Role in Global Affairs

The poll finds a notable inclination among Americans towards reduced involvement in international matters. Nearly half of those surveyed want the U.S. to take a 'less active' role globally, while one-third deem its current involvement 'about right.' Only about 20% express a desire for increased engagement, including roughly 10% of Republicans.

There has been a marked shift among Democrats and independents towards supporting reduced involvement, with about 64% of Republicans now believing Trump’s level of engagement is considered right, an increase from earlier in the fall.

The AP-NORC poll surveyed 1,203 adults, and results have a margin of error of ±3.9 percentage points.