Americans are rallying behind President Donald Trump’s deportation program, with cracks showing in the progressive narrative. A recent CBS News poll reveals net positive approval for the administration's initiative, driven by a belief that it targets dangerous criminals. Yet, the left’s hand-wringing over “fairness” is muddying the waters for some.
The poll, completed before Saturday’s Los Angeles protests, shows strong Republican support, though independents are cooling compared to months ago. Half of Americans think Trump’s deportations exceed his 2024 campaign promises, and most in this group disapprove. This suggests a disconnect between MAGA’s bold vision and the moderates’ squeamishness.
Many Americans see the program as a shield, believing that it makes the U.S. safer by focusing on criminals. Those who endorse this view back the effort wholeheartedly, while skeptics -- often swayed by woke talking points -- lose enthusiasm. The data slaps down claims that safety isn’t the priority.
The deportation push is increasingly a GOP affair, with only the party base showing overwhelming support. Democrats, predictably, clutch their pearls, doubting their party’s ability to counter Trump’s policies. Their minority status in Congress doesn’t help the left's situation.
Americans who think immigrants steal jobs from citizens cheer the program, taking a stance tied to ideology over income. Conversely, those who see immigrants filling unwanted jobs -- think fruit pickers, not tech bros -- worry that it’ll tank the economy. The left’s “open borders” mantra isn’t winning here.
More Americans believe that the program weakens the economy than strengthens it, a point progressives will surely amplify. Yet, the same poll shows stabilized economic views in 2025, suggesting the public isn’t buying the doomsday rhetoric. Trump’s immigration approval outshines his economic scores, a win for his base.
A majority finds it unacceptable for legal residents to be mistakenly deported, though MAGA Republicans are split. Even the staunchest patriots often draw a line at sloppy execution. This nuance exposes the left’s caricature of conservatives as heartless.
Those shocked by the program’s scale demand hearings and due process for deportees. The “more than expected” crowd -- likely fed by media hysterics -- leans this way, wary of overreach. Trump’s team must tighten the screws to keep public trust.
Support for the program’s goals outpaces approval of its methods, a classic case of good intentions meeting messy reality. Americans see that Trump’s heart is in the right place -- securing borders, not chasing headlines. The woke crowd, meanwhile, obsesses over optics.
Trump’s new tariffs face net negative approval, with fears that they’ll spike prices short- and long-term. Critics call them a tax on consumers, but supporters argue they bolster U.S. manufacturing. The left’s “tariffs hurt the poor” narrative is predictable but not universal.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, still under debate, confuses most Americans, much like Biden’s Build Back Better flop in 2021. Those claiming to know its details -- probably cable news junkies -- think it’ll raise taxes and hurt them. Yet, a majority bets it’ll preserve Trump’s tax cuts, a plus for the middle class.
Only a third believe the bill helps the working class, and most say it’ll harm the poor. The left will pounce, painting Trump as a corporate shill, but the bill’s aim to keep tax cuts resonates. Doubts about helping “people like you” linger across party lines.
Americans fear the bill will cut health insurance coverage and balloon the federal deficit. Republicans, ever optimistic, are less convinced about the deficit hit. The left’s “Trump hates the vulnerable” trope is in overdrive, but voters aren’t fully sold.
Trump’s overall job approval holds steady, with immigration as his strongest suit. No group -- Trump, GOP, or Democrats -- wins majority trust for “fighting for you,” but Trump leads. The left’s inability to connect here is their fault, not Trump’s.
The deportation program’s success hinges on execution, not just intent. Americans want safety and order, not chaos or economic pain. Trump’s challenge is proving he can deliver without feeding the progressive outrage machine.
