President Trump’s tough stance on crime is winning over Americans, according to a recent poll. But here’s the twist: while federal troops patrol and threats loom, national crime rates are actually falling. Is perception truly reality when it comes to public safety and political action?

A recent nationwide poll reveals a compelling insight into American public opinion, indicating that a significant majority of citizens now view the handling of crime as a relative strength for President Trump. This finding emerges at a time when armed National Guard troops are actively patrolling the nation’s capital, underscoring a complex interplay between public perception, federal action, and the reality of crime trends across the United States.

Despite general dissatisfaction expressed by Americans regarding the president’s approach to immigration and the economy, the AP-NORC poll highlights a distinct approval for his crime-fighting strategies. Specifically, 53% of those surveyed expressed their support for President Trump’s methods in addressing criminal activity, suggesting a unique area of public confidence in his administration’s agenda.

Further delving into the public consciousness, the poll found that an overwhelming 81% of Americans perceive crime as a “major problem” within large urban centers. This widespread concern about the state of major cities contrasts sharply with local sentiment, as only about one in four polled individuals considered crime a significant issue in their own immediate community, illustrating a notable disparity between national and local perceptions of safety.

The backdrop for these poll results includes President Trump’s decisive deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C., earlier this month following the assault of a former staffer. This move, which saw federal forces intervening in local law enforcement matters, has been accompanied by threats from the president to deploy the “regular military” should he deem it necessary, signaling a readiness for escalated federal control.

Such actions represent a major escalation of federal involvement in urban law enforcement, a dynamic not frequently observed in America. President Trump has not only temporarily asserted control over Washington, D.C. police but also implied similar interventions in Democratic-led cities like Chicago and New York City, thereby testing the constitutional limits of presidential authority and federal power.

However, this narrative of escalating federal intervention against a perceived crime wave stands in stark contrast to recent data. FBI statistics, released this month, indicate that violent and property crime rates in the United States have actually dropped to a two-decade low in 2024. This reality check suggests that while homicides and other crimes surged during the pandemic, the current trajectory points towards a significant decline, accelerating during President Trump’s tenure.

The question of federal assistance and military deployment in urban areas has also sharply divided the nation along partisan lines. Approximately eight out of ten Republicans believe it is acceptable for the federal government to assist local police, with about half supporting federal takeovers of large city police departments. Conversely, Democrats express overwhelming opposition to any federal government deployment of troops into cities, highlighting a deep ideological chasm on this issue.

The comprehensive findings of this nationwide poll were gathered from 1,182 U.S. adults, with data collected between August 21st and 25th. The survey carries an overall margin of error of ±3.8 percentage points, providing a statistical context for the reported public opinion on crime and federal intervention.