WSJ Poll: Voters More Concerned About Police Than Rioters

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…"

1. 59% say "the actions of the police and the death of an African American man.
2. 27% "protests that turn violent."
3. 13% "a bit of both."
4. 1% "not sure."

Here are the demographic breakdowns of the responses to the above:

African Americans:

1. 78% blame police.
2. 15% rioters.
3. 6% both.
4. 1% unsure.

Hispanics:

1. 65% police.
2. 27% rioters.
3. 6% both.
4. 2% unsure.

Whites:

1. 54% police.
2. 30% rioters.
3. 15% both.
4. 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.

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