President Trump’s approach to crime is gaining traction with the public, according to a recent poll. While concerns linger on other issues, his tough-on-crime stance appears to be resonating. But is this public approval sustainable, especially as federal takeovers of local police departments face pushback? Dive into the details.

A recent AP-NORC poll reveals a significant shift in American public opinion, indicating that President Donald Trump’s handling of crime is now perceived as a relative strength, even as broader dissatisfaction persists concerning his approach to other critical national issues.

Conducted from August 21-25, 2025, among 1,182 adults with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.8 percentage points, the survey highlights a nuanced perspective on presidential approval. While many Americans express unhappiness with the Republican president’s strategies on areas like immigration, his robust stance on law and order appears to be resonating more positively with a substantial segment of the electorate.

Indeed, the widespread concern over crime forms a crucial backdrop to these findings. A striking 81% of Americans identify crime as a “major problem” in large urban centers, a perception that President Trump has actively capitalized on. His administration’s strategy, which includes the unprecedented deployment of the National Guard to the District of Columbia and other cities, aligns with this public anxiety over crime statistics.

Despite data indicating a decline in crime rates following a coronavirus pandemic-era spike, Trump’s tough-on-crime approach appears to be bolstering his standing. His overall approval rating has seen a modest increase, rising from 40% in July to 45% currently. This improvement is particularly pronounced when contrasted with his approval on other issues, where his ratings remain consistent with his general approval.

Delving deeper into demographics, the poll uncovers variations in support. Roughly half of white and Hispanic adults approve of Trump’s crime policies. However, Black adults show considerably less favor, with only 27% expressing approval. Notably, independents demonstrate stronger support for his handling of crime compared to other policy areas, with about half giving their approval, contrasting with lower figures for the economy or immigration.

While support for the aggressive pursuit of law and order is evident, the survey also reveals a significant public hesitancy regarding federal interventions in local policing. A majority of U.S. adults, 55%, consider it “completely” or “somewhat” unacceptable for the federal government to assume control of local police departments, as has effectively occurred in Washington. Even among Republicans, who largely favor federal military and National Guard assistance to local police, there is greater reluctance concerning direct federal takeovers.

Individual perspectives underscore this complex tapestry of public sentiment. Tiana Parker, a 30-year-old liberal Democrat from Seattle, views crime as a major problem but criticizes Trump’s federal actions as a misallocation of resources and a source of division. Conversely, David Gehret, a 62-year-old Republican from rural Pennsylvania, strongly endorses the President’s actions. These contrasting views highlight the deeply polarized nature of American opinions on crime and governance.

The findings indicate a critical juncture in public discourse, where a perceived strength in addressing crime could become a defining factor in political support. However, the underlying divisions concerning federal overreach and the true impact of these policies suggest that public opinion remains fluid and could evolve significantly as the implications of these actions become clearer in the coming weeks and months, shaping future political landscapes.