A recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll shows that a significant majority of Americans, about 76%, feel that democracy is under serious threat. This concern spans across political lines, with 89% of Democrats, 80% of Independents, and 57% of Republicans agreeing on the issue. The poll also highlights that 73% of respondents view politically motivated violence as a major concern. These findings come amid a time of deep political polarization in the U.S., particularly during President Trump’s second term.
Political analysts note that confidence in U.S. leadership is low. President Trump has a job approval rating of just 43%. Issues like immigration, foreign policy, and the economy see similar approval ratings. Interestingly, only 44% of Democrats express approval for their party’s actions in Congress, while 73% of Republicans support their party’s approach. This suggests that Democrats have significant challenges ahead if they hope to regain control of the House in the upcoming elections.
In the Senate, Republicans are working to pass a major tax and spending bill championed by Trump. The process has been complicated by ongoing amendment votes and internal party disagreements. Democrats are united in their opposition to the bill, which includes provisions to extend tax cuts from Trump’s first term. These tax cuts are expected to cost trillions, and some Republican lawmakers are pushing for deep cuts to Medicaid to offset the expenses, a move that has faced resistance from more moderate party members.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is officially closing its doors today, merging its operations with the State Department. A recent study published in The Lancet claims that USAID has saved over 90 million lives in the past two decades. The Trump administration’s decision to dismantle USAID at the start of its term has raised concerns about the future of foreign aid and its impact on health programs in low-income countries. Agency staff have expressed deep sadness over the closure, fearing that it could lead to 14 million preventable deaths by 2030 due to cuts in critical health services.
In other news, Zohran Mamdani is making headlines as he emerges as the presumptive Democratic candidate for New York City mayor after a strong primary performance. Despite facing challenges from within his party and being the target of unfounded accusations, Mamdani has focused on affordability as a key issue in his campaign. His victory raises questions about how he plans to implement his policies amidst skepticism about their feasibility.
As the political landscape continues to shift, key issues like democracy, leadership, and foreign aid remain at the forefront of public concern.