Veterans hold President Trump in higher regard than the overall U.S. population, according to a recent survey conducted by the Pew Research Center. The survey showed that 57 percent of all veterans who responded “approve of the way Trump his handling his duties as commander in chief.” Roughly half — 48 percent — believe he has made the military stronger. In contrast, 41percent of all adult respondents believe Trump is doing a good job.
The positive numbers are tempered somewhat by the dissatisfaction a good portion of veteran respondents expressed.
“Nearly half (45 percent) say he doesn’t listen enough to military leaders in making national security decisions, and a similar share say they have little trust in him to make the right decisions about the use of military force,” the Pew Center determined.
The survey results fell along partisan lines. Republican and Republican-leaning respondents were more likely to support Trump, with Democrat and Democrat-leaning veterans expressing disapproval.
Six out of every 10 veterans identify as Republicans, to the Pew Center.
The survey was conducted in two parts. Between May 14 and June 3, the organization sought responses from 1,284 U.S. military veterans. Some 1,087 adults from the general population were surveyed May 14-24.