U.S. citizens are expressing strong opposition to the deployment of military forces and National Guard troops against protesters in Los Angeles, according to multiple recent surveys. The demonstrations, which erupted following federal immigration enforcement operations, have prompted nationwide discussions on the appropriate response to civil unrest.
A YouGov poll released on Tuesday found that 47% of U.S. adults disapprove of deploying Marines to Los Angeles, with only 34% in support. Similarly, opposition to the deployment of the National Guard remains significant, with 45% disapproving compared to 38% who approve.
The resistance to military intervention reflects a long-standing preference for civil solutions to domestic issues. A CNN/SSRS poll conducted in June 2020 revealed that 60% of U.S. citizens believe it would be “inappropriate” for the president to deploy the military in response to protests, showcasing a substantial 24-point margin of opposition.
A survey reported by the United States Democracy Center, a rule-of-law advocacy group, indicated that 70% of U.S. citizens oppose using the military to suppress protesters. The opposition spans across party lines, with majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and independents all rejecting military intervention in domestic protests.
As Los Angeles continues to witness widespread demonstrations following federal immigration raids that began on June 7, public sentiment favors local governance over federal involvement. The YouGov survey highlighted that 56% of respondents believe state and local authorities should handle the situation, while only 25% support federal intervention.
Despite mixed feelings about the protests themselves—only 36% of U.S. citizens approve of the protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with 45% disapproving—Americans distinguish between disapproving of protests and endorsing militarized responses.
In California, voters demonstrate even stronger resistance to federal immigration enforcement. An Emerson College poll conducted in April found that 60% of California voters consider mass deportations of undocumented immigrants detrimental to the state. Furthermore, a survey by the Public Policy Institute of California in January revealed that 63% of Californian adults favor state and local governments setting their own immigration policies rather than adhering strictly to federal mandates.
The collective data underscores a national preference for peacefully addressing civil unrest and a caution against escalating tensions through military involvement.
