AP-NORC Polls Show Trump Stronger on Crime Than Immigration/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A new AP-NORC poll shows President Trump gaining approval by shifting focus from immigration to crime. Roughly half of U.S. adults back his crime policies, compared with weaker support for immigration and economic handling. The pivot comes as criticism mounts over mass deportations.
Trump Crime Pivot Quick Looks
- AP-NORC poll: 53% approve Trump’s handling of crime
- Approval higher than immigration, economy, or Ukraine war response
- Trump overall approval rises to 45%, up from 40% in July
- Crime a “major concern” for 81% of Americans
- Immigration support drops; 55% say deportation campaign went too far
- Trump’s D.C. police takeover and National Guard deployment stir backlash
- Critics note crime rates declining nationwide despite rhetoric
- Trump previously shifted to crime focus during political slumps
- Immigration enforcement tied to D.C. crime crackdown
- White House frames actions as campaign promise: “Making America Safe Again”
Deep Look: Polls Show Trump Gains Support by Shifting From Immigration to Crime
WASHINGTON — August 28, 2025 — President Donald Trump’s pivot from immigration to crime is proving politically effective, according to a new analysis of polling data by The Associated Press.
The AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that 53% of Americans approve of Trump’s handling of crime, giving him stronger marks on the issue than on immigration, the economy, or the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The figure represents one of the president’s clearest areas of strength in his second term.
The poll shows Trump’s overall job approval at 45%, up from 40% in July. The uptick follows his takeover of Washington, D.C.’s police department and deployment of the National Guard — moves criticized by city leaders and residents as unnecessary since violent crime has been declining nationally since its pandemic-era spike.
Immigration Approval Slips After Deportation Campaign
Immigration was an early priority of Trump’s second term, and in March polls suggested about half of Americans approved of his approach. But support has since eroded.
By July, just 43% approved of his immigration handling, with multiple surveys showing concern over his mass deportation campaign. Incidents such as masked federal agents seizing college students and alleged wrongful deportations of men accused of gang ties to a Salvadoran prison drew headlines and sparked unease.
A CNN/SSRS poll in July found that 55% of Americans believed Trump had gone too far on deportations, a 10-point jump since February.
The decline in support mirrors a long-standing political truth: immigration can mobilize Trump’s base but risks alienating independents and moderates.
Why Crime Works for Trump
Crime has traditionally been a strong Republican issue, and Trump has used it to redirect attention during politically fraught moments.
After the assault of Edward Coristine, a high-profile official nicknamed “Big Balls,” Trump seized on the story to justify federal intervention in D.C. His Truth Social posts featured photos of homeless encampments and warnings that he would not be “Mr. Nice Guy.”
“Be prepared! We want our Capital BACK,” Trump wrote.
The pivot is consistent with Trump’s political playbook. During his first term, he dispatched federal agents to Chicago and Albuquerque and warned suburban voters about rising crime ahead of the 2020 election.
Veteran GOP pollster Whit Ayers said the strategy is unsurprising.
“Crime has always been a Republican strength. If you’re in the White House, you’d much rather be talking about crime than tariffs, inflation, or Ukraine.”
Blending Crime With Immigration Enforcement
Trump’s crackdown in D.C. also intertwines with immigration policy. Federal checkpoints now ask residents about their immigration status, and of the 1,170 people arrested since the takeover began, 319 cases involved immigration issues, according to the White House.
Critics argue the strategy amounts to a “backdoor for immigration enforcement.” The American Immigration Council said Trump has forced D.C.’s police to cooperate with federal immigration officers in unprecedented ways.
Stable Approval Ratings Amid Controversy
One reason Trump’s strategy may be effective is his ability to shift the national conversation. His approval ratings historically remain stable, even during controversies, rarely fluctuating outside a narrow band.
Tim Roemer, a Democrat from Utica, New York, sees the move as political opportunism.
“He’s trying to keep his numbers up for the 2026 midterms,” Roemer said. “He knows how to win people over, unfortunately.”
White House: Crime a Campaign Promise
The Trump administration insists crime has always been central to the president’s platform. Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesperson, said Trump campaigned on restoring law and order.
“Making America Safe Again was a key campaign promise,” Jackson said. “He has long talked about addressing violent crime, especially in the nation’s capital.”
The administration has also released videos pledging to “End Crime and Restore Law and Order” and clear the streets of homelessness, drugs, and mental health crises by sending in federal resources, including the National Guard.
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