Poll: 27% of Republicans, 19% of Democrats Approve of Capitol Riot

More than half of GOPers think 'people participated in a legitimate public discourse'
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 17, 2023 9:04 AM CDT
Poll: 27% of Republicans Approve of Capitol Riot
Rioters at the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.   (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

More than a quarter of Republicans now approve of the Capitol riot, according to a new poll—and, puzzlingly, almost a fifth of Democrats agree. "Do you approve or disapprove of the Trump supporters taking over the Capitol building in Washington, DC on January 6th, 2021 to stop Congressional proceedings?" the Economist/YouGov poll asked 1,500 American adults, Some 27% of Republicans, and 19% of Democrats, said they either "strongly" or "somewhat" approve. The poll also found that 54% of Republicans believe "people participated in a legitimate public discourse" on Jan. 6, compared to 21% of Democrats, the Hill reports.

Some 71% of Democrats, and 27% of Republicans thought "people participated in a violent insurrection" was a more fitting description of the day's events. Among Democrats, 90% thought former President Trump had at least some responsibility for the riot, while 43% of Republicans—and 52% of Trump supporters—thought he had none whatsoever. The poll also found that 42% of Americans, including 61% of Republicans, approved of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s decision to release tens of thousands of hours of Jan. 6 footage to Tucker Carlson, the Guardian reports.

The poll was taken between March 11 and March 14. Some 34% of respondents, including 63% of Republicans, said they wanted Trump to run for president in 2024. Only 26%, including 45% of Democrats, wanted President Biden to seek a second term. The numerous other issues pollsters addressed included aid for Ukraine. Some 77% supported sending the country food and medical assistance, 53% supporting sending tanks, 44% were in favor of sending fighter jets, and 26% were in favor of sending US troops. (More Capitol riot stories.)

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