Few Americans support pardoning January 6th protestors, restricting women from combat

Washington, DC, November 22, 2024— A new Scripps News/Ipsos poll finds that, of policies that have been mentioned by the incoming administration, a minority of Americans support pardoning January 6th protestors and restricting women from military combat. Along these lines, support is more mixed for other policies, including downsizing the federal government, shutting down the border, and putting new tariffs on imported goods.

The poll also finds that half of Americans say it is likely that their personal financial situation will be better a year from now. Slightly fewer believe inflation will decrease in the next year, with sentiment split along party lines.

Detailed findings:

1. Most Americans do not support pardoning January 6th protestors or restricting women from military combat. However, a majority support negotiating a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine and eliminating taxes on tips and overtime hours.

• Just 30% support pardoning January 6th protestors. Republicans (56%) are significantly more likely to support this policy than Democrats (6%) and independents (29%).
• Even fewer Americans support restricting women from participating in military combat (23%). While most oppose this policy, men (27%) are more likely than women (19%) to support.
• Around half of Americans support shutting down the U.S.-Mexico border (50%), easing restrictions on fossil fuel drilling (46%), and putting new tariffs on imported goods from other countries (45%). Republicans are more likely to support these policies than Democrats.
• A slim majority supports downsizing the federal government (57%). A majority of Republicans (80%) and independents (63%) share this sentiment, while most Democrats oppose (60%).
• A strong majority of Americans support negotiating a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine (78%) and eliminating taxes on tips and overtime hours (66%). These are areas with agreement among partisans, as a majority of both Democrats and Republicans support these policies.

2. Americans are split on if their financial situation or inflation will improve a year from now. A sizeable minority believe it is likely the country will be drawn into a foreign war or that there will be a national abortion ban in the next four years, with significant partisan splits existing.

• Fifty-one percent believe it is likely their personal financial situation will be better one year from now. Two in five (42%) say the same of inflation decreasing in the next year.
• Republicans are significantly more likely to agree with both statements (78% and 75%, respectively).
• Forty-one percent of Americans say it is likely the country will be drawn into a foreign war in the next four years, down 17 points from October (58%). Democrats are more likely to believe the country will be drawn into war now than a month ago (62% vs. 49%), while the opposite is true of Republicans (26% vs. 65%) and independents (42% vs. 63%).
• Lastly, 38% believe it is likely that there will be a national abortion ban in the next four years. Of note, women more likely to feel this than men (42% vs 34%).

3. Around half of Americans believe the state of democracy is weak, in line with October. However, there is significant change among partisanship.

• Just 28% of Americans view the state as U.S. democracy as strong. Fifty-four percent believe it is weak, a similar percentage to a month ago (56%).
• Compared to October, significantly more Democrats view U.S. democracy as weak (63% now vs. 43% in October). The inverse is true of Republicans (54% vs 70%) and independents (52% vs 60%).
• Along these lines, when asked to describe feelings about the results of the presidential election, Republicans are significantly more likely than Democrats to say they are hopeful (54% vs 7%). In contrast, Democrats are more likely than Republicans to say they are afraid (55% vs 4%) or anxious (50% vs 7%).

4. A slim majority of Americans support mass deporting undocumented immigrants. However, support declines when potential issues are included.

• Fifty-two percent support the mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, in line with October (54%). Republicans (85%) are significantly more likely to support this this than independents (54%) and Democrats (25%).
• Slightly less Americans support mass deportation if it results in less people paying into Social Security and Medicare (48%) or a negatively impacted labor market (47%).
• Significantly less support mass deportation if it results in higher prices on goods (43%) or families being separated (38%).

About the Study

This Scripps News/Ipsos poll was conducted by Ipsos from November 15 to November 17, 2024, using the probability-based KnowledgePanel®. This poll is based on a nationally representative probability sample of 1,031 general population adults aged 18 or older.

The survey was conducted using KnowledgePanel®, the largest and most well-established online probability-based panel that is representative of the adult U.S. population. Our recruitment process employs a scientifically developed addressed-based sampling methodology using the latest Delivery Sequence File of the USPS – a database with full coverage of all delivery points in the US. Households invited to join the panel are randomly selected from all available households in the U.S. Persons in the sampled households are invited to join and participate in the panel. Those selected who do not already have internet access are provided a tablet and internet connection at no cost to the panel member. Those who join the panel and who are selected to participate in a survey are sent a unique password-protected log-in used to complete surveys online. As a result of our recruitment and sampling methodologies, samples from KnowledgePanel® cover all households regardless of their phone or internet status and findings can be reported with a margin of sampling error and projected to the general population.

The study was conducted in English. The data were weighted to adjust for gender by age, race/ethnicity, education, Census region, metropolitan status, household income, and party ID. Party ID benchmarks are from the 2024 NPORS annual survey. The demographic benchmarks came from the 2024 March supplement of the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey (CPS).

• Gender (Male, Female) by Age (18–29, 30–44, 45-59 and 60+)
• Race/Hispanic Ethnicity (White Non-Hispanic, Black Non-Hispanic, Other, Non-Hispanic, Hispanic, 2+ Races, Non-Hispanic)
• Education (Less than High School, High School, Some College, Bachelor degree, Master’s degree or above)
• Census Region (Northeast, Midwest, South, West)
• Metropolitan status (Metro, non-Metro)
• Household Income (Under $25,000, $25,000-$49,999, $50,000-$74,999, $75,000-$99,999, $100,000-$149,999, $150,000+)
• Party ID (Democrat, Lean Democrat, Republican, Lean Republican, Independent/Something else)

The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3.3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level, for results based on the national gen pop sample. The margin of sampling error takes into account the design effect, which was 1.17.

The margin of sampling error is higher and varies for results based on sub-samples. In our reporting of the findings, percentage points are rounded off to the nearest whole number. As a result, percentages in a given table column may total slightly higher or lower than 100%. In questions that permit multiple responses, columns may total substantially more than 100%, depending on the number of different responses offered by each respondent.

For more information on this news release, please contact:

Mallory Newall
Vice President, US
Public Affairs
+1 202 374-2613
[email protected]

About Ipsos

Ipsos is one of the largest market research and polling companies globally, operating in 90 markets and employing over 18,000 people.

Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. Our 75 solutions are based on primary data from our surveys, social media monitoring, and qualitative or observational techniques.

Our tagline "Game Changers" sums up our ambition to help our 5,000 customers move confidently through a rapidly changing world.

Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has been listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and Mid-60 indices and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD). ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP www.ipsos.com