Americans’ “pride” in their democracy has dropped dramatically, from 90% in 2002 to 54% today, according to polls.
One year after the violent invasion of the Capitol, Americans remain deeply concerned about the health of their democracy and about a third say violence against the government can sometimes be justified, according to two polls released Sunday.
The January 6, 2021, coup against the headquarters of Congress, led by hundreds of radical supporters of then-President Donald Trump, was “a harbinger of escalating political violence” and that US democracy “is under threat,” according to two-thirds of respondents to a CBS News poll.
Meanwhile, the “pride” of Americans for its democracy has been drastically reduced, from 90% in 2002 to 54% today, according to a joint survey of The Washington Post and the University of Maryland.
As the January 6 anniversary approaches, the polls offer specific reasons for concern: CBS found that 28% of respondents believe that force can be used to defend the outcome of an election, while 34% told The Washington Post that violent action against the government can sometimes be justified -the highest percentage in decades.
FBI investigation says January attack on US Capitol was not coordinated
The results underscore the seemingly nearly irreconcilable views that divide American society, which Democratic President Joe Biden, who took office 14 days after the Capitol riots, has vowed to overcome.
Perception of fraud in presidential elections continues
Two-thirds of Trump supporters still believe his baseless accusation that there was fraud and that Biden is not the legitimately elected president.
Trump had addressed thousands of supporters shortly before the invasion, telling them that the elections had been “rigged” and that they must “fight like hell” to get justice.
The invasion of Congress that resulted in five deaths, several injuries and damage, is the subject of an investigation by a special legislative committee.
About 60% of those polled believe that Trump bears a great responsibility for the invasion of the Capitol, which occurred just as lawmakers were ready to certify Biden’s victory.
But 83% of his voters believe that Trump’s level of responsibility is only “partial” or “none”, according to the Post’s poll.
And 26% of Americans want him to seek the presidency again in 2024, according to CBS. (I)
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