A majority thinks Trump is to blame for Jan. 6 but won't face charges

Fresno CA

Description

Ahead of a prime-time January 6th Committee hearing Thursday, a majority of Americans are paying attention and blame former President Donald Trump for what happened that day in 2021, but don't think he will be prosecuted, according to the latest NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll. A majority of independents (55%) and 4 in 5 Democrats, but less than half of Republicans (44%), said they are paying at least some attention to the hearings. A majority (57%) said Trump is to blame a great deal or a good amount for the Capitol riot, including 92% of Democrats and 57% of independents, but just 18% of Republicans. The 57% overall figure is up slightly — and within the 4.1 percentage-point margin of error — from last December (53%). Half of respondents said they think Trump should be charged with a crime, including 9 in 10 Democrats but only 10% of Republicans. Independents are split, 49% to 46%. Six in 10 respondents said they don't think Trump will face any charges. (He should be held accountable. Who else?) There has been only some, if any, movement in people's views of what happened at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Half called it an insurrection and a threat to democracy, statistically unchanged from December. A quarter, including 40% of Republicans, described it as an unfortunate event, but one in the past, so no need to worry about it anymore. (The worry is about the next one.) About 1 in 5, including another 40% of Republicans, said it was a political protest protected under the First Amendment. (Political protests should not kill people or destroy government property.) Notably, a majority of independents (52%) now say it was an insurrection and a threat to democracy, up 9 points from December.