Polls show mixed support for protests, strong backing for due process, and overwhelming approval for deporting criminals. 

For several days now, protesters in Los Angeles have been rallying against President Trump’s immigration and deportation policies. Some of the protests have turned violent. 

The President has deployed 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines to restore order in the city, which California Governor Gavin Newsom says is unlawful and unnecessary. 

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Recent polling has offered a snapshot of what Americans think about the Los Angeles protests. Here’s what they’re saying:  

More Americans Oppose the Los Angeles Protests Than Those Who Support Them 

According to a June 9 poll of U.S. adults from YouGov, Americans disapprove of the Los Angeles protests by a margin of 9 points.  

A slim majority of Democrats (58%) approve of the protests, while nearly three quarters of Republicans disapprove (73%).  

They’re a little more divided, but independents ultimately disapprove of the Los Angeles protests. 

Are the Protests “Violent?” Depends on Who You Ask  

President Trump described the Los Angeles protests as a “violent occupation” of the city, while news outlets including the New York Times and NPR described the protests as “mostly peaceful.” 

According to YouGov’s polling, Americans aren’t sure what to make of it. About equal numbers say the protests are mostly peaceful (38%) and mostly violent (36%), while more than a quarter of people said they weren’t sure.  

The partisan divide on this question is not as stark as others. Two-thirds of Republicans (66%) agree with President Trump that the protests are “mostly violent,” while about as many Democrats (64%) say they’re “mostly peaceful.”  

Among independents, a slim plurality (35%) chose “mostly peaceful” while the rest were divided between “mostly violent” (33%) and “not sure” (33%). 

Los Angeles Protests Are More Popular Than Deportations 

YouGov asked respondents how they feel about the Trump administration’s handling of deportation. By an 11-point margin, Americans disapprove of how deportation is being handled; making it two points less popular than the Los Angeles protests. 

Democrats’ and Republicans’ responses closely followed party lines. Independents are closer to Democrats on this issue, with a majority (54%) opposing how President Trump is handling deportations. 

Deporting Criminals Is Wildly Popular 

In May, before the Los Angeles protests, a Harvard Harris poll asked registered voters about a range of President Trump’s policies. “Deporting immigrants who are here illegally and have committed crimes” was the second most popular policy of all, with 78% of respondents supporting it. 

This was one of those rare issues that received support across party lines; even two-thirds of Democrats agreed.  

Americans Still Want Due Process 

While nearly everyone wants to deport unauthorized immigrants who commit crimes, most Americans want to be sure we’re not deporting innocent people.  

Harvard Harris asked if voters support or oppose “the moves by Democrats to stop deportations and ensure that people who are being deported have hearings and trials before being deported.”  

A majority of voters (57%) supported due process, including 55% of independents. 

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