PBS/NPR Poll: Americans Unswayed by Impeachment Hearings

As the second week of public impeachment hearings begins, Americans remain almost evenly divided about whether they want Congress to impeach President Donald Trump and remove him from office, and most people agree that it is unacceptable for a president to ask a foreign government to investigate a political rival, a new PBS NewsHour, NPR, and Marist poll released Tuesday shows. 

The results show that a huge majority of repondents say testimony in the public impeachment hearings will not change their minds.

The numbers were mainly split along party lines, and there were still many Republicans who believe Trump's behavior in relation to Ukraine is "not a good thing, but it doesn't rise to the level of an impeachable action," said Lee Miringoff, who directs the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.

The poll was conducted from Nov. 11-15 of 1,224 adults, with a margin of error of 3.5%  age points, and 988 registered voters, with a margin of error of 3.8 points. 

Among the results: 

• 45% said they support impeachment and ouster, including 82% of Democrats, 39% of independents, and 7% of Republicans;
• 44% said they disapprove of impeachment and Trump’s dismissal;
• 70% said it is unacceptable for a president to ask for help digging up dirt, including 95% of Democrats; 71% of independents; and 37% Republicans;
• 22% said it is fine to ask for help;
• 8% said they did not know what to think about it. 

Meanwhile, most Americans said they're following the inquiry, with 64% saying they're keeping up with the news about it, and Democrats being more likely to say they're staying updated. 

In other numbers: 

• 50% of Americans say they support the inquiry, virtually changed from 52% in October, before the hearings went public;
• 47% said they are more likely to support impeachment, based on the evidence;
• 41% are less likely, based on the evidence. 
• 65% said they can't imagine any revelation that could surface that will change their minds. 

• Poll: Voter Support for Trump Impeachment Hits 50 Percent
• ABC News Poll: 70 Percent Think Trump's Ukraine Actions Wrong