{"id":40802245550,"date":"2020-02-10T12:30:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-10T17:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/?post_type=poll&p=40802245550"},"modified":"2020-02-10T15:26:15","modified_gmt":"2020-02-10T20:26:15","slug":"monmouthpoll_us_021020","status":"publish","type":"poll","link":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/reports\/monmouthpoll_us_021020\/","title":{"rendered":"Split Decision on Impeachment Vote; Most Say It\u2019s Time to Move On"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

West Long Branch, NJ<\/em> \u2013\nAmericans render a split decision on the impeachment acquittal of President\nDonald Trump, according to the Monmouth University Poll<\/em><\/strong>. However,\nmost say the Senate\u2019s handling of the trial was unfair, particularly the\ndecision not to call witnesses. At the same time, a majority feels it is time\nto end all impeachment investigations and move on. Key metrics in public\nopinion of the president himself \u2013 including Trump\u2019s job rating and whether he\nhas \u201cdrained the swamp\u201d \u2013 have remained stable throughout the process, with a\nmajority of Republicans maintaining that Trump never did anything wrong. Many\nAmericans say the impeachment process lessened their faith in our system of\ngovernment, but most continue to believe the system is basically sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The poll finds that 49% of the public approves and 47% disapproves of the Senate\u2019s decision to acquit Trump and not remove him from office. This split is very similar to results of a Monmouth poll released the day before the trial started, when 49% said the Senate should remove Trump from office and 48% said it should not. However, public opinion on the current verdict is less positive than it was for the outcome of former President Bill Clinton\u2019s impeachment in February 1999, when more than 6 in 10 Americans agreed with the decision to acquit (e.g. 63% Pew Research Center, 64% Gallup\/CNN, 64% Washington Post).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe went into the impeachment process with a sharply divided public\nand we come out of it with a sharply divided public,\u201d said Patrick Murray,\ndirector of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The impeachment trial \u2013 like pretty much every other event or incident\nduring the Trump presidency \u2013 has had little impact on public opinion of the\nincumbent. Trump\u2019s job rating stands at 44% approve and 50% disapprove, which\nis statistically indistinguishable from his 43%-52% rating last month. Over the\npast 12 months, Trump\u2019s approval has ranged from 40% to 44% in Monmouth\u2019s\npolling, while disapproval has ranged from 50% to 54%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The trial ends with 46% of Americans saying that Trump\u2019s actions as\noutlined in the House charges definitely rose to the level of impeachment, 30%\nsaying that some of Trump\u2019s actions were improper but not impeachable, and 22%\nsaying that Trump did nothing wrong at all. Among Republicans, 56% believe\nthere was nothing wrong in the president\u2019s actions as described in the\nimpeachment charges, 36% say his actions were improper but not impeachable, and\njust 5% feel they were grounds for impeachment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhere you fall on impeachment may be a litmus test of party loyalty\nnow. The majority of Republicans seem to side with Trump\u2019s claim that his\nUkraine call was perfect. Those who agree with Mitt Romney are in a miniscule\nminority, but even people like Lamar Alexander and Susan Collins, who questioned\nthe president\u2019s behavior, find themselves outside the mainstream as Trump\ncoalesces partisan allegiance around him,\u201d said Murray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Few Americans (35%) feel that the Senate trial was conducted fairly. Most (58%) say it was generally unfair, including 72% of Democrats, 55% of independents, and 42% of Republicans.  Just before the trial got underway, a larger number (46%) expected it would be conducted fairly and a smaller number (43%) believed it would be unfair. A key sticking point in negative public opinion on how the trial was run is the Senate\u2019s decision not to call witnesses. Just 36% approve of this move and 59% disapprove of holding the trial without any witnesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite negative opinion about the trial, just over half of the public\n(51%) continues to approve of the House decision to impeach Trump in the first\nplace, while 46% disapproves. This is basically unchanged from Monmouth\u2019s\nJanuary poll taken right before the Senate trial started, when 53% approved and\n46% disapproved of the House impeachment vote. However, the Senate trial seems\nto have dampened positive opinion on how the initial House investigation was\nconducted. Before the trial started, 52% of the public thought the House\ninquiry was generally fair and 44% said it was unfair. That opinion has now\nflipped, with just 43% saying the House inquiry was fair and 52% saying it was\nunfair. This movement comes largely from Democrats, who went from just 5%\nsaying it was unfair before the trial to 27% who feel this way now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe trial raised significant questions about how quickly the House moved its investigation. This appears to have some Democrats now second-guessing the decision not to subpoena witnesses and gather more evidence before approving articles of impeachment,\u201d said Murray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Americans want to put impeachment behind them according to the poll. Just 43% support the House continuing to investigate the Ukraine incident by calling new witnesses such as John Bolton, while 51% say the Ukraine investigation should end. Furthermore, only 44% say the House should investigate Trump on other impeachable offenses while 52% say all such impeachment investigations should come to an end. The public is divided on an idea floated by Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia to have the Senate censure Trump for his actions \u2013 44% approve of a censure vote and 46% disapprove.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThere is not a huge appetite, except among Democrats, to keep the impeachment flame alive at this point. Most Americans say it is time to move on,\u201d said Murray.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nearly half (48%) of the public says the impeachment process decreased their faith in the American system of government, while just 6% says it increased their faith in the system. Another 43% say impeachment did not impact their belief in our system either way.  These results are fairly similar across all partisan groups. Overall, a majority of Americans (55%) believe the American system of government is basically sound \u2013 including 9% who say it needs no changes and 46% who say it needs some improvements \u2013 while another 24% say it is not too sound and needs many improvements and 21% say it is not sound at all and requires significant changes.  These results are similar to a Monmouth poll from November 2018 when 52% said the system was sound, 26% not too sound, and 22% not at all sound.  Forty years ago, an Opinion Research Corporation poll found that 62% of the public thought the American system was sound, 27% not too sound, and just 10% not at all sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Monmouth University Poll<\/em>\nfinds very little movement in other benchmark ratings as well. Currently, 20%\nof Americans approve of the job Congress is doing and 69% disapprove. This is\ndown just slightly from its 24%-62% rating last month. Also, just over\none-third (37%) of the public feels the country is going in the right direction\nand 57% says it is on the wrong track, which is in line with the 37%-56% result\nin last month\u2019s poll.  Just over 1 in 5\nAmericans (22%) say they feel angry when they think about Washington, 61% feel\ndissatisfied and just 12% feel positive (9% satisfied and 3% happy). These\nresults track closely with polls conducted since the 2016 election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is also little movement on the question of Trump\u2019s promise to \u201cdrain the swamp\u201d in Washington. Currently, 33% say he has made progress in this area, which is similar to 30% who said the same in November 2019. At the same time, 34% say Trump has actually made the swamp worse, which is similar to 37% last fall. Another 28% say that nothing has really changed in Washington\u2019s \u201cswamp,\u201d which tracks closely with 25% who said the same in November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Monmouth University Poll<\/em>\nwas conducted by telephone from February 6 to 9, 2020 with 902 adults in the\nUnited States.  The question results in this release have a margin of\nerror of +\/- 3.3 percentage points. The poll was conducted by the Monmouth\nUniversity Polling Institute in West Long Branch, NJ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

QUESTIONS\nAND RESULTS      <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(* Some columns may not add to 100% due to\nrounding.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.<\/span> Do you approve or disapprove of the job Donald Trump is doing as president?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n   TREND:\n <\/td> Feb.
2020<\/strong><\/td>		 Jan.
2020<\/td>		 Dec.
2019<\/td>		 Nov.
2019<\/td>		 Sept.
2019<\/td>		 Aug.
2019<\/td>		 June
2019<\/td>		 May
2019<\/td>		 April
2019<\/td>		March
2019<\/td>		 Jan.
2019<\/td><\/tr>
\n Approve\n <\/td>\n 44%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 43%\n <\/td>\n 43%\n <\/td>\n 43%\n <\/td>\n 41%\n <\/td>\n 40%\n <\/td>\n 41%\n <\/td>\n 40%\n <\/td>\n 40%\n <\/td>\n 44%\n <\/td>\n 41%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Disapprove\n <\/td>\n 50%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 52%\n <\/td>\n 50%\n <\/td>\n 51%\n <\/td>\n 53%\n <\/td>\n 53%\n <\/td>\n 50%\n <\/td>\n 52%\n <\/td>\n 54%\n <\/td>\n 51%\n <\/td>\n 54%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL)\n No opinion\n <\/td>\n 5%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 8%\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td>\n 7%\n <\/td>\n 9%\n <\/td>\n 8%\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (n)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (902)<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n (903)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (903)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (908)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,161)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (800)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (751)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (802)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (801)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (802)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (805)<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n   TREND:\n Continued<\/em>\n <\/td> Nov.
2018<\/td>		 Aug.
2018<\/td>		 June
2018<\/td>		 April
2018<\/td>		 March
2018<\/td>		 Jan.
2018<\/td>		 Dec.
2017<\/td>		 Sept.
2017<\/td>		 Aug.
2017<\/td>		 July
2017<\/td>		 May
2017<\/td>		 March
2017<\/td><\/tr>
\n Approve\n <\/td>\n 43%\n <\/td>\n 43%\n <\/td>\n 43%\n <\/td>\n 41%\n <\/td>\n 39%\n <\/td>\n 42%\n <\/td>\n 32%\n <\/td>\n 40%\n <\/td>\n 41%\n <\/td>\n 39%\n <\/td>\n 39%\n <\/td>\n 43%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Disapprove\n <\/td>\n 49%\n <\/td>\n 50%\n <\/td>\n 46%\n <\/td>\n 50%\n <\/td>\n 54%\n <\/td>\n 50%\n <\/td>\n 56%\n <\/td>\n 49%\n <\/td>\n 49%\n <\/td>\n 52%\n <\/td>\n 53%\n <\/td>\n 46%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) No opinion\n <\/td>\n 8%\n <\/td>\n 7%\n <\/td>\n 11%\n <\/td>\n 9%\n <\/td>\n 8%\n <\/td>\n 8%\n <\/td>\n 12%\n <\/td>\n 11%\n <\/td>\n 10%\n <\/td>\n 9%\n <\/td>\n 8%\n <\/td>\n 11%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (n)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (802)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (805)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (806)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (803)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (803)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (806)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (806)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,009)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (805)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (800)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,002)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (801)<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

2.<\/span> Do you approve or disapprove of the job the U.S. Congress is doing?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n   TREND:\n <\/td>\n Feb.
\n 2020<\/strong>\n <\/td>		\n Jan.
\n 2020\n <\/td>		\n Dec.
\n 2019\n <\/td>		\n Nov.
\n 2019\n <\/td>		\n Sept.
\n 2019\n <\/td>		\n Aug.
\n 2019\n <\/td>		\n June
\n 2019\n <\/td>		\n May
\n 2019\n <\/td>		\n April
\n 2019\n <\/td>		 March
2019<\/td>		 Jan.
2019<\/td><\/tr>
\n Approve\n <\/td>\n 20%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 24%\n <\/td>\n 22%\n <\/td>\n 23%\n <\/td>\n 21%\n <\/td>\n 17%\n <\/td>\n 19%\n <\/td>\n 20%\n <\/td>\n 24%\n <\/td>\n 23%\n <\/td>\n 18%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Disapprove\n <\/td>\n 69%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 62%\n <\/td>\n 65%\n <\/td>\n 64%\n <\/td>\n 68%\n <\/td>\n 71%\n <\/td>\n 69%\n <\/td>\n 71%\n <\/td>\n 62%\n <\/td>\n 68%\n <\/td>\n 72%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) No opinion\n <\/td>\n 11%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 14%\n <\/td>\n 13%\n <\/td>\n 13%\n <\/td>\n 11%\n <\/td>\n 13%\n <\/td>\n 12%\n <\/td>\n 9%\n <\/td>\n 14%\n <\/td>\n 9%\n <\/td>\n 10%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (n)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (902)<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n (903)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (903)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (908)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,161)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (800)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (751)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (802)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (801)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (802)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (805)<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n   TREND: Continued<\/em>\n <\/td>\n Nov.
\n 2018\n <\/td>		\n Aug.
\n 2018\n <\/td>		\n June
\n 2018\n <\/td>		\n April
\n 2018\n <\/td>		\n March
\n 2018\n <\/td>		\n Jan.
\n 2018\n <\/td>		\n Dec.
\n 2017\n <\/td>		\n Sept.
\n 2017\n <\/td>		\n Aug.
\n 2017\n <\/td>		\n July
\n 2017\n <\/td>		\n May
\n 2017\n <\/td>		\n March
\n 2017\n <\/td>		\n Jan.
\n 2017\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Approve\n <\/td>\n 23%\n <\/td>\n 17%\n <\/td>\n 19%\n <\/td>\n 17%\n <\/td>\n 18%\n <\/td>\n 21%\n <\/td>\n 16%\n <\/td>\n 17%\n <\/td>\n 18%\n <\/td>\n 19%\n <\/td>\n 19%\n <\/td>\n 25%\n <\/td>\n 23%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Disapprove\n <\/td>\n 63%\n <\/td>\n 69%\n <\/td>\n 67%\n <\/td>\n 71%\n <\/td>\n 72%\n <\/td>\n 68%\n <\/td>\n 65%\n <\/td>\n 69%\n <\/td>\n 69%\n <\/td>\n 70%\n <\/td>\n 68%\n <\/td>\n 59%\n <\/td>\n 66%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) No opinion\n <\/td>\n 14%\n <\/td>\n 14%\n <\/td>\n 14%\n <\/td>\n 12%\n <\/td>\n 11%\n <\/td>\n 11%\n <\/td>\n 19%\n <\/td>\n 15%\n <\/td>\n 13%\n <\/td>\n 11%\n <\/td>\n 13%\n <\/td>\n 16%\n <\/td>\n 11%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (n)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (802)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (805)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (806)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (803)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (803)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (806)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (806)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,009)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (805)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (800)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,002)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (801)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (801)<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n   TREND: Continued<\/em>\n <\/td>\n Sept.
\n 2016*\n <\/td>		\n Aug.
\n 2016*\n <\/td>		\n June
\n 2016*\n <\/td>		\n March
\n 2016\n <\/td>		\n Jan.
\n 2016\n <\/td>		\n Dec.
\n 2015\n <\/td>		\n Oct.
\n 2015\n <\/td>		\n Sept.
\n 2015\n <\/td>		\n Aug.
\n 2015\n <\/td>		\n July
\n 2015\n <\/td>		\n June
\n 2015\n <\/td>		\n April
\n 2015\n <\/td>		\n Jan.
\n 2015\n <\/td>		\n Dec.
\n 2014\n <\/td>		\n July
\n 2013\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Approve\n <\/td>\n 15%\n <\/td>\n 14%\n <\/td>\n 17%\n <\/td>\n 22%\n <\/td>\n 17%\n <\/td>\n 16%\n <\/td>\n 17%\n <\/td>\n 19%\n <\/td>\n 18%\n <\/td>\n 18%\n <\/td>\n 19%\n <\/td>\n 21%\n <\/td>\n 18%\n <\/td>\n 17%\n <\/td>\n 14%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Disapprove\n <\/td>\n 77%\n <\/td>\n 78%\n <\/td>\n 76%\n <\/td>\n 68%\n <\/td>\n 73%\n <\/td>\n 73%\n <\/td>\n 71%\n <\/td>\n 71%\n <\/td>\n 72%\n <\/td>\n 69%\n <\/td>\n 71%\n <\/td>\n 67%\n <\/td>\n 70%\n <\/td>\n 73%\n <\/td>\n 76%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) No opinion\n <\/td>\n 8%\n <\/td>\n 9%\n <\/td>\n 7%\n <\/td>\n 10%\n <\/td>\n 10%\n <\/td>\n 10%\n <\/td>\n 12%\n <\/td>\n 11%\n <\/td>\n 11%\n <\/td>\n 12%\n <\/td>\n 10%\n <\/td>\n 12%\n <\/td>\n 11%\n <\/td>\n 11%\n <\/td>\n 10%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (n)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (802)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (803)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (803)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,008)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,003)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,006)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,012)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,009)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,203)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,001)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,002)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,005)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,003)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,008)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,012)<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n

*\nRegistered voters<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

3.<\/span> Would you say things in the country are going in the right direction, or have they gotten off on the wrong track?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n   TREND:\n <\/td>\n Feb.
\n 2020<\/strong>\n <\/td>		\n Jan.
\n 2020\n <\/td>		\n Dec.
\n 2019\n <\/td>		\n Nov.
\n 2019\n <\/td>		\n Sept.
\n 2019\n <\/td>		\n Aug.
\n 2019\n <\/td>		\n June
\n 2019\n <\/td>		\n May
\n 2019\n <\/td>		\n April
\n 2019\n <\/td>		\n March
\n 2019\n <\/td>		\n Nov.
\n 2018\n <\/td>		\n Aug.
\n 2018\n <\/td>		\n June
\n 2018\n <\/td>		\n April
\n 2018\n <\/td>		\n March
\n 2018\n <\/td>		\n Jan.
\n 2018\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Right direction\n <\/td>\n 37%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 37%\n <\/td>\n 32%\n <\/td>\n 30%\n <\/td>\n 30%\n <\/td>\n 28%\n <\/td>\n 31%\n <\/td>\n 29%\n <\/td>\n 28%\n <\/td>\n 29%\n <\/td>\n 35%\n <\/td>\n 35%\n <\/td>\n 40%\n <\/td>\n 33%\n <\/td>\n 31%\n <\/td>\n 37%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Wrong track\n <\/td>\n 57%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 56%\n <\/td>\n 56%\n <\/td>\n 61%\n <\/td>\n 61%\n <\/td>\n 62%\n <\/td>\n 62%\n <\/td>\n 63%\n <\/td>\n 62%\n <\/td>\n 63%\n <\/td>\n 55%\n <\/td>\n 57%\n <\/td>\n 53%\n <\/td>\n 58%\n <\/td>\n 61%\n <\/td>\n 57%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Depends\n <\/td>\n 6%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td>\n 8%\n <\/td>\n 7%\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td>\n 8%\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td>\n 7%\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td>\n 7%\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Don\u2019t know\n <\/td>\n 1%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (n)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (902)<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n (903)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (903)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (908)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,161)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (800)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (751)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (802)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (801)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (802)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (802)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (805)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (806)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (803)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (803)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (806)<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n
\n   TREND: Continued<\/em>\n <\/td>\n Dec.
\n 2017\n <\/td>		\n Aug.
\n 2017\n <\/td>		\n May
\n 2017\n <\/td>		\n March
\n 2017\n <\/td>		\n Jan.
\n 2017\n <\/td>		\n Aug.
\n 2016*\n <\/td>		\n Oct.
\n 2015\n <\/td>		\n July
\n 2015\n <\/td>		\n June
\n 2015\n <\/td>		\n April
\n 2015\n <\/td>		\n Dec.
\n 2014\n <\/td>		\n July
\n 2013\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Right direction\n <\/td>\n 24%\n <\/td>\n 32%\n <\/td>\n 31%\n <\/td>\n 35%\n <\/td>\n 29%\n <\/td>\n 30%\n <\/td>\n 24%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 28%\n <\/td>\n 23%\n <\/td>\n 27%\n <\/td>\n 23%\n <\/td>\n 28%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Wrong track\n <\/td>\n 66%\n <\/td>\n 58%\n <\/td>\n 61%\n <\/td>\n 56%\n <\/td>\n 65%\n <\/td>\n 65%\n <\/td>\n 66%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 63%\n <\/td>\n 68%\n <\/td>\n 66%\n <\/td>\n 69%\n <\/td>\n 63%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Depends\n <\/td>\n 7%\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 6%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Don\u2019t know\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 5%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 4%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (n)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (806)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (805)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,002)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (801)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (801)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (803)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,012)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,001)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,002)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,005)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,008)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,012)<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n

      * Registered voters<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

[Q4 held for future release.<\/em>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5.<\/span> Which of the following words best describes how you feel about Washington \u2013 angry, dissatisfied, satisfied, happy?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n    TREND:\n <\/td> Feb.
2020<\/strong><\/td>		 Nov.
2018<\/td>		 March
2018<\/td>		 Dec.
2017<\/td>		 May
2017<\/td>		 Sept.
2016*<\/td><\/tr>
\n  Angry\n <\/td>\n 22%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 19%\n <\/td>\n 22%\n <\/td>\n 20%\n <\/td>\n 25%\n <\/td>\n 20%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  Dissatisfied\n <\/td>\n 61%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 62%\n <\/td>\n 59%\n <\/td>\n 60%\n <\/td>\n 54%\n <\/td>\n 66%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  Satisfied\n <\/td>\n 9%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 12%\n <\/td>\n 12%\n <\/td>\n 12%\n <\/td>\n 16%\n <\/td>\n 9%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  Happy\n <\/td>\n 3%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  (VOL) Don\u2019t know\n <\/td>\n 5%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 3%\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (n)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (902)<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n (802)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (803)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (806)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,002)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (802)<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n

      * Registered voters<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

6.<\/span> I’m going to read four statements about our American system of government. Listen carefully and then tell me which one is closest to how you feel: our system of government is basically sound and essentially needs no changes, our system is basically sound, but needs some improvement, our system is not too sound and needs many improvements, or our system is not sound at all and needs significant changes?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n  TREND:\n <\/td> Feb.
2020<\/strong><\/td>		 Nov.
2018<\/td>		 Dec.
2017<\/td>		Nov.<\/em>
1980<\/em>*<\/td><\/tr>
\n Basically sound, no\n changes\n <\/td>\n 9%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 10%\n <\/td>\n 7%\n <\/td>\n 6%<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Basically sound, some\n improvement\n <\/td>\n 46%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 42%\n <\/td>\n 43%\n <\/td>\n 56%<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Not too sound, many\n improvements\n <\/td>\n 24%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 26%\n <\/td>\n 25%\n <\/td>\n 27%<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Not sound at all, significant\n changes\n <\/td>\n 21%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 22%\n <\/td>\n 24%\n <\/td>\n 10%<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Don\u2019t know\n <\/td>\n 1%<\/strong><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 1%\n <\/td>\n 2%\n <\/td>\n 1%<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  (n)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (902)<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n (802)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (806)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,103)<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n

      * Source: Opinion Research Corporation<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

7.<\/span> Donald Trump promised to \u201cdrain the swamp\u201d when he got to Washington. Would you say that he has made progress draining the swamp, that he has made the swamp worse, or that nothing has really changed?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n TREND:\n <\/td> Feb.
2020<\/strong><\/td>		 Nov.
2019<\/td>		 June
2019<\/td>		 Nov.
2018<\/td>		 April
2018<\/td>		 Dec.
2017<\/td>		 Aug.
2017<\/td>		 May
2017<\/td><\/tr>
\n Made progress draining\n the swamp\n <\/td>\n 33%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 30%\n <\/td>\n 23%\n <\/td>\n 30%\n <\/td>\n 25%\n <\/td>\n 20%\n <\/td>\n 25%\n <\/td>\n 24%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Made the swamp worse\n <\/td>\n 34%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 37%\n <\/td>\n 32%\n <\/td>\n 30%\n <\/td>\n 31%\n <\/td>\n 33%\n <\/td>\n 26%\n <\/td>\n 32%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Nothing has really\n changed\n <\/td>\n 28%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 25%\n <\/td>\n 35%\n <\/td>\n 33%\n <\/td>\n 37%\n <\/td>\n 38%\n <\/td>\n 39%\n <\/td>\n 35%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Don\u2019t know\n <\/td>\n 5%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 8%\n <\/td>\n 9%\n <\/td>\n 6%\n <\/td>\n 7%\n <\/td>\n 9%\n <\/td>\n 10%\n <\/td>\n 8%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (n)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (902)<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n (908)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (751)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (802)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (803)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (806)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (805)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (1,002)<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

[Q8-11 held for future release.<\/em>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

12.<\/span> Do you approve or disapprove of the Senate\u2019s decision to acquit Donald Trump and not remove him from the presidency?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n  <\/em>\n <\/td> Feb.
2020<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\n Approve\n <\/td>\n 49%<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Disapprove\n <\/td>\n 47%<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Don\u2019t know\n <\/td>\n 5%<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (n)<\/em>\n <\/td>\n (902)<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

13.<\/span> Which of the following comes closest to how you feel about the impeachment charges: A. Trump did nothing wrong; B. Some of Trump\u2019s actions were improper, but they did not rise to the level of impeachment; or C. Trump\u2019s actions were definitely grounds for impeachment?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n  \n <\/td> Feb.
2020<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
A. Trump did nothing wrong <\/td>\n 22%<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr>
B. Some of Trump\u2019s actions were improper,
but they did not rise to the level of impeachment <\/td>		\n 30%<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr>
C. Trump\u2019s actions were definitely grounds for impeachment<\/td>\n 46%<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Don\u2019t know\n <\/td>\n 2%<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (n)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (902)<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

14.<\/span> Would you approve or disapprove of the Senate voting to censure Donald Trump for his actions?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n  \n <\/td> Feb.
2020<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\n Approve\n <\/td> 44%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\n Disapprove\n <\/td> 46%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Don\u2019t know\n <\/td> 10%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\n (n)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td> (902)<\/em><\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

15.<\/span> Do you feel the way the Senate impeachment trial was conducted was generally fair or unfair?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n TREND:\n <\/td> Feb.
2020<\/strong><\/td>		 Jan.
2020*<\/td><\/tr>
\n Fair\n <\/td>\n 35%<\/strong>\n <\/td> 46% <\/td><\/tr>
\n Unfair\n <\/td>\n 58%<\/strong>\n <\/td> 43% <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Don\u2019t know\n <\/td>\n 7%<\/strong>\n <\/td> 11% <\/td><\/tr>
\n (n)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (902)<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td> (903)<\/em> <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n

* Question wording: \u201c<\/em>\u2026 Senate impeachment trial is likely to be\nconducted\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

16.<\/span> Do you approve or disapprove of the Senate\u2019s decision not to call any witnesses at the impeachment trial?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n  \n <\/td> Feb.
2020<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\n Approve\n <\/td>\n 36%<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Disapprove\n <\/td>\n 59%<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Don\u2019t know\n <\/td>\n 5%<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (n)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (902)<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

17.<\/span> Do you approve or disapprove of the House of Representatives decision to impeach President Trump in the first place?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n TREND:\n <\/td> Feb.
2020<\/strong><\/td>		 Jan.
2020<\/td><\/tr>
\n Approve\n <\/td>\n 51%<\/strong>\n <\/td> 53% <\/td><\/tr>
\n Disapprove\n <\/td>\n 46%<\/strong>\n <\/td> 46% <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Don\u2019t know\n <\/td>\n 2%<\/strong>\n <\/td> 1% <\/td><\/tr>
\n (n)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (902)<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td> (903)<\/em> <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

18.<\/span> Do you feel the way the House impeachment inquiry was conducted was generally fair or unfair?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n TREND:\n <\/td> Feb.
2020<\/strong><\/td>		 Jan.
2020<\/td><\/tr>
\n Fair\n <\/td>\n 43%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 52%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Unfair\n <\/td>\n 52%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 44%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Don\u2019t know\n <\/td>\n 5%<\/strong>\n <\/td>\n 4%\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (n)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (902)<\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td>\n (903)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

19.<\/span> Do you think the House should continue to investigate the Ukraine incident by calling new witnesses such as John Bolton, or should it end the Ukraine investigation?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n  \n <\/td> Feb.
2020<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\n Continue to investigate\n <\/td>\n 43%<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n End Ukraine investigation\n <\/td>\n 51%<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Don\u2019t know\n <\/td>\n 6%<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (n)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (902)<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

20.<\/span> Do you think the House should investigate Donald Trump on other impeachable offenses or should it end all such investigations?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n  \n <\/td> Feb.
2020<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\n Investigate on other offenses\n <\/td>\n 44%<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n End all investigations\n <\/td>\n 52%<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Don\u2019t know\n <\/td>\n 4%<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (n)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (902)<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

21.<\/span> Has the impeachment process increased or decreased your faith in the American system of government or has it not changed your faith either way?<\/span><\/p>\n
\n  \n <\/td> Feb.
2020<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\n Increased\n <\/td>\n 6%<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Decreased\n <\/td>\n 48%<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Not changed\n <\/td>\n 43%<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (VOL) Don\u2019t know\n <\/td>\n 3%<\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n (n)<\/em><\/em>\n <\/td>\n (902)<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

METHODOLOGY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Monmouth\nUniversity Poll<\/em> was sponsored and conducted by the Monmouth University\nPolling Institute from February 6 to 9, 2020 with a national random sample of 902\nadults age 18 and older. This includes 362 contacted by a live interviewer\non a landline telephone and 540 contacted by a live interviewer on a cell\nphone, in English. Telephone numbers were selected through random digit\ndialing and landline respondents were selected with a modified Troldahl-Carter\nyoungest adult household screen. Monmouth is responsible for all aspects of the\nsurvey design, data weighting and analysis. The full sample is weighted for\nregion, age, education, gender and race based on US Census information (CPS\n2018 supplement). Data collection support provided by Braun Research\n(field) and Dynata (RDD sample). For results based on this sample, one can\nsay with 95% confidence that the error attributable to sampling has a maximum margin\nof plus or minus 3.3 percentage points (unadjusted for sample\ndesign). Sampling error can be larger for sub-groups (see table\nbelow). In addition to sampling error, one should bear in mind that\nquestion wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce\nerror or bias into the findings of opinion polls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n DEMOGRAPHICS (weighted)<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n Self-Reported<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 27%\n Republican<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 42% Independent<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 31% Democrat<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 48% Male<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 52% Female<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 30% 18-34<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 33% 35-54<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 36% 55+<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 64% White<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 12% Black<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 16%\n Hispanic<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n   7% Asian\/Other<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 68% No\n degree<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n 32% 4 year\n degree<\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr>
\n  <\/em> <\/em>\n <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n

Click on pdf file link below for full methodology and crosstabs by key demographic groups.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Little change in opinion of Trump or faith in the system<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":40802245556,"template":"","geography":[18],"class_list":["post-40802245550","poll","type-poll","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","geography-national"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/poll\/40802245550","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/poll"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/poll"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/poll\/40802245550\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":40802245580,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/poll\/40802245550\/revisions\/40802245580"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40802245556"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40802245550"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"geography","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.monmouth.edu\/polling-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/geography?post=40802245550"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}