Poll shows 53% of Republicans oppose US involvement in Iran as Trump weighs possible action

WASHINGTON, DC: A new national survey reveals that a strong majority of American voters, including large numbers of Republicans and Democrats, oppose US military strikes against Iran, even as President Donald Trump considers possible action in response to Iran’s violent crackdown on protesters.

The Quinnipiac University poll highlights broad public resistance to another US military escalation abroad amid rising tensions and debate over presidential authority to use force without congressional approval.

US should not get involved in Iran, says the majority

The poll carried out between January 9 and 12 found that most Americans, about 70%, don’t want the US to take military action against Iran. Only 18% said they’d support strikes in response to what Iran’s government is doing.

This isn’t just one side talking, either. Opposition came from all directions: 79% of Democrats, 80% of independents, and even most Republicans, 53%, think the US should avoid getting involved militarily, despite the ongoing protests and growing violence in Iran.

7 in 10 questioned in the poll said that, in general, a president should first receive congressional approval before deciding to take military action against another country.

"Talk of the US military potentially intervening in Iran's internal chaos gets a vigorous thumbs down, while voters signal congressional approval should be a backstop against military involvement in any foreign crisis," Quinnipiac University polling analyst Tim Malloy said.

But there's a partisan divide — 95% of Democrats and 78% of Independents say a president should first receive approval from Congress, but Republicans, by a 54%-35% margin, say congressional approval is not needed.

Trump threatens possible military action against Iran

Trump has publicly threatened possible military action against Iran in recent days if Iranian forces continue to kill protesters amid nationwide demonstrations.

Trump took to social media earlier this week, urging "Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING — TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS."

The president also said that "HELP IS ON ITS WAY," and apparently pointing to Iranian authorities, he warned, "They will pay a big price."

Voters are divided on Nicolas Maduro's capture and Greenland

Voters are also split on Trump’s decision to capture ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, bringing them to the US on d**g charges. 47% backed Trump’s move, while 45% didn’t.

No surprise, the usual partisan split showed up. Most Republicans, about 85%, supported the military action to catch Maduro. On the other side, 79% of Democrats stood against it.

When it comes to Greenland, people aren’t having it. 86% said they’d oppose sending in the military to take it over. And most voters, by 55% to 37% margin, said they’re against even trying to buy Greenland.

Still, politics plays a big role here. More than two-thirds of Republicans liked the idea of buying or capturing Greenland, while most others weren’t on board.