July 1, 2025
U.S. Attacks on Iran, July 2025
Many Americans Concerned about Additional Retaliation from Iran... Divide About U.S. Airstrikes
In the aftermath of U.S. airstrikes on nuclear facilities in Iran, three in four Americans express concern that Iran will carry out additional retaliation against the United States. Most Americans consider Iran to be a threat to the security of the nation, including nearly half who perceive Iran to be a major threat to the safety and security of the United States. When thinking about the U.S. airstrikes on Iran, Americans divide in their support of those bombings. Amid America’s involvement in the conflict between Israel and Iran, President Donald Trump experiences job approval ratings that are steady but remain upside down. Domestically, a plurality of Americans say the nation’s immigration policies have made the country safer. However, a majority report the actions of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have gone too far.
Three in four Americans are either concerned (40%) or very concerned (35%) that Iran will further retaliate against the United States for carrying out military airstrikes on three nuclear facilities in Iran. One in four is not very concerned (19%) or not concerned at all (6%) about potential retaliation.
Bipartisan consensus exists. Regardless of party identification, Democrats (88%), Republicans (63%), and independents (74%) express some degree of worry that Iran will retaliate against the United States.
Americans divide about the United States' airstrikes in Iran. 50% of Americans either agree (25%) or strongly agree (25%) with the bombings. 50%, though, disagree (21%) or strongly disagree (29%) with the military action taken by the United States.
84% of Republicans report they strongly agree or agree with the United States airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. 45% of independents and 23% of Democrats share this view.
Nearly half of Americans (48%) consider Iran to be a major threat to the security of the United States. An additional 39% say the nation is a minor threat. 13% think Iran is no threat to the safety of the United States.
Republicans (64%) are more likely than Democrats (38%) and independents (45%) to consider Iran to be a major threat to U.S. security.
Trump Approval Rating Upside Down but Steady
President Trump’s job approval rating among Americans is 43%, little changed from 42% in April. 52% disapprove of President Trump’s job performance. 29% of Americans strongly approve of Trump’s approach, and 43% strongly disapprove.
On the specifics of President Trump’s job performance:
- 43% of residents nationally approve of how he is handling immigration. 52% disapprove.
- 41% approve of the way President Trump is dealing with foreign policy. 52% of residents nationally disapprove.
- 39% approve of the president’s handling of the economy. 53% disapprove.
Americans Think a President Should Obey Court Rulings
82% of Americans either strongly agree or agree that a U.S. president should obey federal court rulings, even if the president does not like the ruling. Fewer than one in five Americans (18%) do not think that a president should obey the decisions of the courts.
Nearly Two in Three Think America’s “Openness” is Essential to U.S. Identity
64% of Americans, up from 57% in October of 2024, think that openness to people all over the world is essential to who we are as a nation. Included here are 85% of Democrats, 37% of Republicans, and 68% of independents. However, 35%, including 62% of Republicans, say the nation risks losing its identity if America is too open to people from all over the world.
A Majority Do Not Think U.S. Deportation Policies are Making the U.S. Safer
While a plurality of Americans (43%) say America’s deportation policies are making the country more safe, nearly six in ten say they are either making the nation less safe (33%) or are not having an impact on the security of the nation (24%).
Republicans (81%) are nearly five times more likely than Democrats (17%) and are more than twice as likely as independents (34%) to say U.S. deportation policies are making the U.S. safer.
A Majority Believe Actions of ICE Have Gone Too Far
A majority of Americans (54%) describe the actions of ICE in upholding immigration laws as having gone too far. 18% say they have not gone far enough, and 26% describe their actions as about right. While 83% of Democrats and 59% of independents say ICE has gone too far, nearly half of Republicans (49%) say their actions are appropriate. An additional 31% of the GOP say ICE has not gone far enough in enforcing immigration laws.
Most Support Deportation of Illegal Immigrants Who Have Committed Violent Crimes, Not So Much for Nonviolent Offenders & Those in Certain Industries
Eight in ten Americans either support (31%) or strongly support (49%) the U.S. government deporting immigrants without permanent legal status who have been convicted of a violent crime. Republicans (74%), though, are more likely than Democrats (29%) and independents (50%) to strongly have this opinion.
Though a majority, fewer Americans either support (29%) or strongly support (29%) the deportation of immigrants who are in the country without permanent legal status and who have been convicted of a nonviolent crime. Republicans (55%) are five times as likely as Democrats (11%) and more than twice as likely as independents (25%) to strongly support the deportation of these individuals.
More than four in ten Americans either support (22%) or strongly support (22%) the deportation of immigrants who work in certain industries such as agriculture and food service. However, a majority either oppose (28%) or strongly oppose (27%) deporting illegal immigrants who work in these industries. Republicans (38%) are more likely than Democrats (10%) and independents (18%) to strongly support the deportation of illegal immigrants who are employed in these areas.
Americans divide about whether or not students who are in the United States on expired temporary visas should be deported. 26% support this action, and another 23% strongly support it. In contrast, 28% oppose the deportation of students in the U.S. with expired temporary visas, and 21% strongly oppose the removal of these individuals from the United States.
U.S. Divisiveness Threatens Democracy, say Americans… Politically-Motivated Violence Perceived as Major Problem
76% of Americans say the issues that divide the nation pose a serious threat to democracy. 24% say they do not. Majorities of Democrats (89%), Republicans (57%), and independents (80%) say there is a threat to the future of democracy.
73% of Americans think politically-motivated violence is a major problem in the United States. 23% report it is a minor issue, and 4% do not think politically-motivated violence is a problem.
Congressional Approval Ratings Under Water, But GOP Doing Better Thanks to Base
Slightly more than one in four registered voters (27%) approves of how congressional Democrats are doing in office. This is down from 39% in February of 2024. 58%, an increase from 53% previously, disapprove. 15% are unsure, an increase from 9% last year. Democrats divide on how their party’s congressional representatives are doing in office (44% approve; 43% disapprove).
36% of voters, including 73% of Republicans, report they approve of how congressional Republicans are performing in office. This is up from 26% in 2024. 52% disapprove, marking a decline from 66% previously. 12% percent are unsure.