WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new National Security Action-commissioned poll conducted in key battleground states found that swing voters believe Trump has made America less safe and respected -- and that electing a Democrat in November will make us safer. The poll respondents are representative of the voters who will be influential in determining the outcome of the 2020 election, and their responses illuminate opportunities for Democrats to go on offense on issues of foreign policy and national security.

The poll, conducted by Hart Research among 1204 likely voters across 12 battleground states, found that a plurality of voters -- including 49% of independent voters -- believe that Trump’s policies and actions are making America less safe. Voters by a 14-point margin disapprove of Trump’s handling of America’s relations with other countries, and a majority of voters (56%) think that Trump is making the United States less respected. By contrast, a plurality felt that electing a Democrat in November would make America safer than reelecting Trump. In other words, battleground voters see Democrats as more likely to leave America safer than the Republican incumbent.

The poll further found that a majority of voters disapprove of Trump’s handling of the Coronavirus response. They are especially alarmed by some of the traits characteristic in his approach to the pandemic, including his impulsiveness, his rejection of science and facts, and his failure to listen to policy experts as well as military and intelligence advisors.

Dan Herman, National Security Action’s Director of Campaigns and Advocacy, said: “Voters now have a three-year record on which to judge President Trump’s record on foreign policy and national security, and the overwhelming message is clear: They don’t like what they’ve seen. Importantly, they think he is a failure when it comes to his most important task, keeping the American people safe, and they are ready for a change.”