According to a new ABC News/Ipsos poll, many Americans believe that former President Donald Trump should have been indicted by a Manhattan grand jury with a historic indictment, but almost as many also think that the indictments are politically motivated.
In this situation, 45% of respondents to the poll believe Trump should have been charged with a felony, 32% disagree, and 23% are unsure.
Democrats supported the grand jury’s verdict, as should be expected.
In the Manhattan Attorney’s Office investigation into a $130,000 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who claims the two had an affair, nearly eight in ten Democrats (88%) believe Trump should have been indicted. For years, Trump has refuted these allegations.
Republicans are more conservative than DemocratsRepublicans are not as cohesive as Democrats. According to the ABC News/Ipsos poll, which was conducted using the Ipsos KnowledgePanel, the majority, 62%, believe Trump shouldn’t have been impeached, while 16% and 5% of Republicans, respectively, say the same. During a campaign rally at Waco Regional Airport in Waco, Texas, on March 25, 2023, former president Donald Trump chats to media as he boards his plane on his way to West Palm Beach, Florida. AAP Evan Vucci
Two out of five Independents believe that he should have been charged, 32% believe that he shouldn’t have been charged, and 27% are unsure.
The majority of Americans—50%—believe the accusations are very serious or moderately serious.Former President Trump has been charged with around two dozen counts, including felonies, sources familiar with the sealed indictment told ABC News. The indictment will be unsealed when Trump appears in court in New York on Tuesday.
At the same time, a majority of Americans (47%) say the indictments against the former president are politically motivated, reflecting the opinion of leading GOP figures. An even larger majority of Republicans, 79%, hold this view, as do a large number of Independents (48%). As expected, 64% of Democrats take the opposite view, although they are far from overwhelming opposition.
Trump’s own potential competitors also dismiss the investigation as political theatre.
Former Vice President Mike Pence, who is considering running for president himself, said the charges were “insulting” and an “outrage”.
New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg leaves the country after former President Donald Trump was indicted by a grand jury in Manhattan after hush money was paid to porn star Stormy Daniels in New York on March 30, 2023. Jeenah Moon/Reuters
“I also think that at a time when the American people are struggling so much, this will only serve to further divide our country,” Pence said.
Speaking to ABC News, Trump himself called the charges “political persecution” and “an attack on our country.”
