7 Out Of 10 Voters Do Not Want the U.S. To Take Military Action Against Iran For Killing Of Protesters, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; 70% Say Presidents Should Seek Congressional Approval Before Taking Military Action Against Another Country

January 14, 2026

https://poll.qu.edu/poll-release?releaseid=3945

In the wake of U.S. threats of military action against Iran if protesters there are killed while demonstrating against the Iranian government, 70 percent of voters think the U.S. should not get involved, while 18 percent think the U.S. should take military action against Iran, and 12 percent did not offer an opinion, according to a Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pea-ack) University national poll of registered voters released today.

Independents (80 - 11 percent), Democrats (79 - 7 percent), and Republicans (53 - 35 percent) think the U.S. should not get involved if protesters in Iran are killed while demonstrating against the Iranian government.

MILITARY ACTION & CONGRESS

Voters 70 - 24 percent think that, in general, if a president decides to take military action against another country, they should first receive approval from Congress.

There are differences along political party lines.

Democrats (95 - 2 percent) and independents (78 - 18 percent) think a president should first receive approval from Congress, while Republicans (54 - 35 percent) think a president should not.

"Talk of the U.S. military potentially intervening in Iran's internal chaos gets a vigorous thumbs down, while voters signal Congressional approval should be a backstop against military involvement in any foreign crisis,"said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.

VENEZUELA

Voters are divided on the Trump administration's decision to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife and bring them to the United States to face drug trafficking charges, as 47 percent support the decision, while 45 percent oppose it.

Republicans (85 - 7 percent) support the decision, while Democrats (79 - 11 percent) oppose it. Independents are divided, with 45 percent supporting it and 47 percent opposing it.

Voters 53 - 41 percent do not think the Trump administration is providing a clear explanation of the reasons behind the United States' actions against Venezuela.

Voters 57 - 35 percent oppose the United States running Venezuela until it is satisfied that the government there will operate the way the U.S. wants it to.

Voters 73 - 21 percent oppose the United States sending ground troops into Venezuela in order to control the country.

Voters 55 - 38 percent oppose the U.S. taking over Venezuela's oil sales.

Voters are split on whether they think the U.S. actions in Venezuela will improve the lives of everyday Venezuelans, as 45 percent think they will improve their lives, 44 percent do not think so, and 11 percent did not offer an opinion.

"Voters are divided on the merits of overthrowing Maduro. And while split on whether in the long run, the people of Venezuela will be better off, they strongly disapprove of America's temporary domain over Venezuela and are heartily against putting U.S. troops on the ground,"added Malloy.

GREENLAND

In the wake of discussions about the United States trying to either buy Greenland or use military force to take control of it, voters say:

• 86 - 9 percent they would oppose the United States trying to take Greenland by military force;
• 55 - 37 percent they would oppose the United States trying to buy Greenland.

MEXICO & COLOMBIA

Voters 57 - 37 percent would oppose the United States taking military action to attack suspected illegal drug facilities in Mexico, if this meant acting without the permission of the Mexican government.

Voters 55 - 36 percent would oppose the United States taking military action to attack suspected illegal drug facilities in Colombia, if this meant acting without the permission of the Colombian government.

TRUMP JOB APPROVALS

Forty percent of voters approve of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president, while 54 percent disapprove, unchanged from Quinnipiac University's December 17, 2025 and October 22, 2025 polls.

Voters were asked about Trump's handling of:

• his job as Commander in Chief of the U.S. military: 43 percent approve, while 53 percent disapprove;
• the economy: 42 percent approve, while 53 percent disapprove;
• U.S. policy toward Venezuela: 41 percent approve, while 52 percent disapprove;
• foreign policy: 41 percent approve, while 56 percent disapprove.

U.S. IN THE WORLD

Half of voters (50 percent) think, under Donald Trump, America's moral authority in the world has gotten weaker, 34 percent think it has gotten stronger, and 13 percent think it has remained about the same.

Forty-six percent of voters think, under Donald Trump, America's leadership in the world has gotten weaker, 42 percent think it has gotten stronger, and 10 percent think it has remained about the same.

Voters 52 - 38 percent do not think it's in the national interest of the United States to expand its power in the western hemisphere, with 10 percent not offering an opinion.

Nearly 9 out of 10 voters (88 percent) think, in general, the United States should work with other nations to solve problems, while 7 percent think the United States should work alone to solve problems.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION APPROVALS

Job approval ratings for six Trump administration officials:

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio: 42 percent approve, 45 percent disapprove, with 13 percent not offering an opinion;
• Vice President J.D. Vance: 41 percent approve, 49 percent disapprove, with 9 percent not offering an opinion;
• Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth: 40 percent approve, 49 percent disapprove, with 11 percent not offering an opinion;
• Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: 39 percent approve, 50 percent disapprove, with 10 percent not offering an opinion;
• White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles: 35 percent approve, 40 percent disapprove, with 25 percent not offering an opinion;
• White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller: 34 percent approve, 44 percent disapprove, with 23 percent not offering an opinion.

1,133 self-identified registered voters nationwide were surveyed from January 8th - 12th with a margin of error of +/- 3.7 percentage points, including the design effect.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Doug Schwartz, Ph.D. since 1994, conducts independent, non-partisan national and state polls on politics and issues. Surveys adhere to industry best practices and are based on probability-based samples using random digit dialing with live interviewers calling landlines and cell phones.