Poll shows strong disapproval of Trump's Charlottesville response

Rasa - A majority of Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump’s response to the racist violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, earlier this month, according to a new poll.

News ID: 431865

Date: 22 August 2017 - 22:16

RNA - Trump’s handling of the racially charged clashes at the Aug. 12 rally in Charlottesville sparked a political firestorm and drew sharp rebukes from members of Congress, military leaders and major business executives.

The president equivocated in denouncing the white supremacists and neo-Nazis and cast blame on “both sides” for the violence that left one person dead and many others injured.

The poll, conducted by Washington Post and ABC News, finds that overwhelming majorities across party lines believe it is unacceptable to hold white supremacist views.

Only 9 percent overall say such views are acceptable.

Fifty-six percent of Americans disapprove of how Trump responded to the events in Charlottesville, while 28 percent approve of his reaction in the new survey.

Americans are split on party lines on the issue.

A majority of Republicans, 62 percent, said they approve of the president’s reaction, and only 19 percent said they disapprove. Eight-four percent of Democrats disapprove of Trump’s response, while only 9 percent approve.

Trump’s overall job approval rating in the national survey is virtually identical to its level in an ABC/Post poll published on July 13, with 37 percent approving and 58 percent disapproving.

In the wake of Charlottesville, four in ten Americans support Trump’s impeachment and removal from office, according to a new poll.

The poll released Thursday by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) found that 40 percent of Americans back impeaching Trump, compared to 30 percent who said the same in February.

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