Voters See Trump’s Use of Power as Overreaching, Times/Siena Poll Finds

A recent poll conducted by The New York Times and Siena College has revealed that a majority of voters believe that President Donald Trump is overreaching his power in various aspects of his presidency. The poll, which surveyed over 1,000 registered voters across the country, found that 56% of respondents believe that Trump has overstepped his bounds in his use of power.

One of the key areas where voters feel that Trump has overreached is his handling of the Russia investigation. The poll found that 61% of voters believe that Trump has tried to impede the investigation, while only 30% believe that he has cooperated fully. This sentiment is likely fueled by Trump’s repeated attacks on the investigation and his recent decision to fire FBI Director James Comey, who was leading the investigation at the time.

Additionally, the poll found that 58% of voters believe that Trump has overstepped his power in his use of executive orders. Trump has signed a number of controversial executive orders since taking office, including the travel ban targeting Muslim-majority countries and the decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. These actions have led many voters to believe that Trump is bypassing Congress and acting unilaterally in a way that exceeds his authority.

Overall, the poll paints a picture of a president who is seen as overreaching his power by a significant portion of the electorate. This perception could have consequences for Trump’s presidency, as it may erode his support among voters and make it more difficult for him to advance his agenda.

It is worth noting that the poll also found a sharp partisan divide on the issue, with 84% of Democrats believing that Trump has overreached his power compared to only 29% of Republicans. This suggests that opinions on the issue are heavily influenced by political affiliation, with Democrats more likely to view Trump’s actions as overreaching and Republicans more likely to see them as legitimate exercises of presidential power.

Overall, the poll highlights the deep divisions in American politics and the challenges that Trump faces in governing a deeply polarized country. As the Russia investigation continues to unfold and Trump’s use of executive power comes under scrutiny, it will be interesting to see how voters’ perceptions of his presidency evolve in the coming months.