A large majority of Americans now reportedly say violent crime in U.S. cities has reached unacceptable levels — but many Democrats still refuse to see a problem. That’s the conclusion of a new survey from NPR and Ipsos, which reveals a stark partisan divide over one of the country’s most pressing issues.
According to the poll, 71% of Americans agree that “the level of crime and violence in American cities is unacceptably high.” That includes 93% of Republicans and 68% of independents. Among Democrats, however, just 54% said the same — while nearly half, 45%, said crime “isn’t that much of a problem.”
The results underscore what conservatives say is the Left’s persistent denial of rising urban violence. Despite a steady drumbeat of reports about carjackings, retail theft, and murders in major metropolitan areas, Democrats remain far less concerned than other voters.
Even when asked whether crime is rising, Democratic responses reflected a more dismissive tone. Nearly half — 49% — said crime has increased nationally in the past year, compared with 18% who said it has gone down. But when asked about their own states, just 31% of Democrats said crime had risen in major cities, compared with 47% of Republicans.
The poll, which surveyed 323 Republicans, 289 Democrats and 298 independents, illustrates a widening political gulf over law and order — one that has shaped debates over policing, sentencing, and bail reform for years.
The contrast is perhaps most visible in reactions to Donald Trump’s tough-on-crime strategy. Since returning to office, the president has aggressively moved to deploy federal resources — including National Guard troops — to cities plagued by violent crime. Those moves have been met with fierce opposition from Democrats at every level of government.
“While President Trump is doing everything in his power to restore law and order in America – Democrats are doubling down on their failed soft-on-crime approach,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday. “Democrats are completely out of touch with the concerns of the American people.”
The administration’s recent deployments appear to be having an effect. After Trump ordered a law enforcement surge in Washington, D.C., the Metropolitan Police Department reported declines in both violent and property crimes across all seven police districts, CNN reported. Thousands of arrests — including illegal immigrants and gang members — were made within the first month.
Trump has also sent troops to Memphis, which FBI data ranks as the nation’s most violent city, and vowed similar action in Chicago and Portland, Oregon. Yet even in the face of measurable progress, 74% of Democrats say they strongly oppose deploying the National Guard to fight crime in their own states. Only 3% strongly support it.
The president has blasted Democrats for allowing crime to spiral in jurisdictions they control. “Almost every city that’s in trouble is run by Democrats,” Trump told “Fox & Friends” on Sept. 12. “Cashless bail is a disaster.”
For Republicans, the polling data is proof that Democrats remain disconnected from voters’ everyday fears. While Americans across party lines acknowledge rising violence, it is the GOP — and Trump in particular — positioning itself as the party willing to confront it head-on.
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