As US President Donald Trump‘s war with Iran drags on with little sign of progress, majorities of Americans want the newly elected Democratic-majority Congress to step in to end the conflict and repeal tariffs imposed by the MAGA chief.The demand comes days after Republicans lost control of Congress in the midterm elections, with voters increasingly focused on the rising cost of living.A new Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 71% of Americans support legislation to end the US conflict with Iran, while 62% favour repealing tariffs imposed by President Trump.The findings point to strong public demand for the incoming Democratic-majority Congress to act on two issues that have weighed on household budgets.The four-day poll, conducted online across the US and completed on Monday, found that support for ending the war crossed party lines.As many as 93% of Democrats and 51% of Republicans backed legislation to end the conflict, which the US launched alongside ally Israel in February.Democrats secured majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate in last week’s midterm elections, dealing a setback to Trump’s Republicans. The new Congress is scheduled to take office on January 3.
Cost of living tops Americans’ agenda
The war with Iran has pushed fuel prices higher, adding to inflationary pressures from tariffs imposed on hundreds of imported goods.Trump has defended the military campaign as necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. He has argued that tariffs will protect American industry from cheaper imports.Democratic leaders have pledged to focus on the cost of living and have said they will seek to force an end to the war. Many have also promised to challenge Trump’s tariffs.The poll found that nine in 10 Americans want Congress to prioritise cost-of-living issues during its first 100 days. Fewer respondents wanted lawmakers to focus on issues such as artificial intelligence regulation, immigration reform and climate change.Despite the sharp political divide, large majorities across both parties said Trump should make an effort to work with Democrats and that Democratic leaders in Congress should also try to work with the president.
Americans divided over possible impeachment
While voters want the new Congress to act on the war and tariffs, they appear less united on how far Democrats should go in confronting Trump.Some 42% of respondents said it would be “bad for the country” if the new Congress tried to impeach the president, while 33% said such a move would be good for the country.The remaining respondents were unsure or did not answer. Democrats themselves remain divided over how to reduce healthcare costs and how aggressively to pursue Trump, including whether to seek his impeachment or that of members of his cabinet.Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to face a House impeachment vote this week after a Republican lawmaker initiated the move.Trump said after the elections that he would “probably” get along with Democrats. However, he also promoted Stephen Miller, a polarising aide who has called the Democratic Party a domestic extremist group, to the position of White House chief of staff.
Trump’s approval rating remains near career low
According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted online across the US from November 6 to 9, 32% of Americans approved of Trump’s performance as president.The figure was unchanged from two previous Reuters/Ipsos polls conducted between late October and early November, and one percentage point above his career-low rating of 31% recorded in mid-October.The survey also suggested that Democrats have yet to translate their electoral gains into broad public popularity. Some 45% of Americans viewed the Democratic Party favourably, while 51% had an unfavourable opinion. For Republicans, the corresponding figures were 35% and 60%.The Reuters/Ipsos poll surveyed 1,705 US adults nationwide between November 6 and 9. It had a margin of error of approximately two percentage points.