As Democrats call to defund the police, 80% of registered voters believe the U.S. is spiraling out of control, according to the latest The Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll.
But, by a 2-1 margin, they blame the police actions and not the protesters.
After riots, looting, arson, and the overtaking of police precincts in Minneapolis – where George Floyd was killed by a police officer facing murder charges – the stated goal of defunding police in the United States has been a battle cry for Floyd protesters and Democrats across the country.
The poll asked: "When it comes to the country these days, do you generally feel that things in the country are…."
- Under control: 15%.
- Out of control: 80%.
- Some of both: 3%.
- Unsure: 1%.
"Out of control — that's America in 2020," the polls' Democratic pollster Jeff Horwitt of Hart Research Associates said, per the Journal.
But, there is mystery in the poll. While 80% say the U.S. is spiraling out of control, they are less likely to blame the violence of lawless rioters, looters, and arsonsists. A large majority blames those attempting to keep the peace.
In the poll's final topic:
"Although both may be of concern to you, which one concerns you more…"
- 59% say "the actions of the police and the death of an African American man.
- 27% "protests that turn violent."
- 13% "a bit of both."
- 1% "not sure."
Here are the demographic breakdowns of the responses to the above:
African Americans:
- 78% blame police.
- 15% rioters.
- 6% both.
- 1% unsure.
Hispanics:
- 65% police.
- 27% rioters.
- 6% both.
- 2% unsure.
Whites:
- 54% police.
- 30% rioters.
- 15% both.
- 1% unsure.
The Journal/NBC News poll surveyed 1,000 registered voters from May 28-June 2 with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.