- Three in four Americans report hearing about the indictment of Donald Trump as nearly three in five continue to think he has committed a crime.
- A majority of Americans support the indictment, while nearly half disapprove of how Republicans in Congress have responded.
- The most concerning aspect of Republicans’ response to Trump’s indictment is their attempts to intimidate judicial officials and interfere with the prosecution, including asking Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to testify before Congress.
Nearly Three in Five Say Trump Has Committed a Crime
By a 32-point margin, independents say Trump has committed a crime (57% yes/25% no).
- While two in three Republicans disagree (66%), one in four believe he has committed a crime (26%).
Most Americans Have Heard About Trump Being Indicted
Democrats (75% hearing “a lot” or “some”) and Republicans (79%) report hearing more about the indictment than independents (61%).
Most Support Trump’s Indictment, Which Increases When Details of the Indictment Are Included
Explaining the details of the charges boosts support for the indictment most among independents (net +18 support, compared to net +9 with no explanation) and Hispanic Americans (net +42, compared to net +34 with no explanation).
Only One in Three Approve of How Republicans in Congress Have Responded to Trump’s Indictment
By a 17-point margin, independents disapprove of Republicans’ response to Trump’s indictment (net -17 approve), as do two in three Democrats (67% disapprove) and pluralities of every racial and ethnic group.
Americans Oppose a Range of Congressional Republicans’ Responses to Trump’s Indictment
Independents are least likely to support Republicans “trying to intimidate judicial officials in order to get them to back off prosecuting Donald Trump” (net -23 support) and pronouncing Trump “innocent before even learning what the charges were or having a trial” (net -21).
Americans Are Most Concerned About Republicans in Congress Trying to Intimidate Judicial Officials Involved in the Indictment
Americans across party lines are most concerned that “Republicans in Congress are trying to intimidate judicial officials in order to get them to back off prosecuting Donald Trump,” with concerns especially high among Democrats (57%) and independents (37%).
About The Study
Global Strategy Group conducted public opinion surveys among a sample of 1,003 registered voters from April 6-April 10, 2023. 100 additional interviews were conducted among Hispanic voters. 75 additional interviews were conducted among Asian American and Pacific Islander voters. 100 additional interviews were conducted among African American voters. 101 additional interviews were conducted among independent voters.
