Getty Images
By Martha McHardy
US News Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
President Donald Trump’s approval rating among voters in U.S. cities is above water despite his administration’s aggressive new crime crackdown and deployment of National Guard units to urban areas, according to new polling data.
The latest TIPP Insights poll, conducted between September 30 and October 2 among 1,459 adults, shows that Trump is now polling at 47 percent job approval (versus 44 percent disapproval) in U.S. cities, putting his net approval at +3 points.
ActiVote polling from September also shows that Trump's approval among urban voters has jumped from -25 points in August to -14 points.
Read More on U.S.
Why It Matters
The result marks a rare urban rebound for Trump, whose support has traditionally lagged in cities—and could reshape the 2026 electoral map. Cities have long been Democratic strongholds, but rising fears over crime and disorder appear to be softening partisan lines.
If sustained, this shift could signal growing public acceptance of Trump’s hard-line law-and-order agenda, even among voters who once opposed it. It also underscores how security concerns—not economic or cultural issues—may increasingly drive political loyalties in America’s largest population centers.
...
What To Know
This uptick in urban support comes as Trump doubles down on his domestic security agenda, deploying National Guard forces and bolstering federal law enforcement presence in major cities. Since June, troop deployments or pledges have extended to locations including Los Angeles; Washington, D.C.; Memphis, Tennessee; Chicago and Portland, Oregon.
In Chicago, Trump recently authorized the activation of 300 Illinois Guard troops, along with additional forces from Texas, citing escalating unrest and threats—a move sharply opposed by state and municipal leaders, who have filed legal challenges.
Legal pushback has already produced setbacks: in Portland, a federal judge temporarily blocked deployment, warning that the administration risks blurring the line between civil governance and military control.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and city officials have also sued to block the deployment in the state, calling it unconstitutional and unnecessary. They argue the move is politically motivated and inflames tensions rather than improves safety. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has also barred federal agents from using city property for enforcement staging areas, intensifying the standoff with Washington.
Federal officials have defended the operation as a necessary response to crime, immigration enforcement pressures, and protests.
Trump has said recent calls for troop deployments are necessary to safeguard federal buildings during immigration enforcement operations.
And polls show that most Americans agree with this point of view. NPR/Ipsos polling from this month found that nearly half of Americans believe that crime in the U.S. has increased in the last year, and a strong majority believe that the level of crime and violence in American cities is unacceptably high.
However, other polls show that Trump is losing support among urban and city voters. HarrisX polling shows that his standing among urban voters has dropped by 3 points to -2 since August.
And Marist polling show that Trump's support among voters in big cities dropped from -13 points in June to -21 points. However, his support from voters in small cities has jumped from -28 points to -17 points.
...
Meanwhile, polls largely show that overall, Americans do not necessarily support Trump's deployment of the National Guard.
CBS/YouGov polling from this month showed that 61 percent of voters think Trump should not deploy the National Guard to U.S. cities. The most recent YouGov/Economist polling showed that 52 percent of voters do not support National Guard deployment.
What People Are Saying
Ed Yohnka, director of communications at public policy at the ACLU Illinois, told Newsweek: “There is no emergency or urgent situation that justifies sending any further force into the streets of Chicago. We already are seeing violence and chaos caused by ICE’s increasingly violent and reckless immigration enforcement in the Chicago area.
"Sending heavily armed federal agents and National Guard troops from thousands of miles away into our beautiful city of Chicago is unnecessary, inflammatory, and puts people at risk. This action is yet another example of [how] President Trump is attempting to write himself a blank check to deploy federal agents and military troops anywhere he wants, against whoever he wants."
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, in a statement Monday morning: “The American people, regardless of where they reside, should not live under the threat of occupation by the United States military, particularly for the reason that their city or state leadership has fallen out of a president’s favor. I am absolutely committed to upholding the Constitution and defending the rule of law, which is why my office is both challenging and seeking an order to stop unlawful National Guard deployment in Illinois.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker on X Sunday night: "The brave men and women who serve in our National Guards must not be used as political props. This is a moment where every American must speak up and help stop this madness."
What Happens Next
Illinois and Chicago are seeking a temporary restraining order while their complaint is being heard in full. A hearing has been set for Thursday.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines