Q poll: Most back probes into Trump/Russia ties

By a margin of 2-1 most Americans want Congress - not President Donald Trump -to handle handle America's policy towards Russia, a new poll by Quinnipiac has found. In a separate question on the poll released Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, voters support 62 - 32 percent investigations into potential links between President Donald Trump's campaign advisers and the Russian government. less By a margin of 2-1 most Americans want Congress - not President Donald Trump -to handle handle America's policy towards Russia, a new poll by Quinnipiac has found. In a separate question on the poll released ... more Photo: Evan Vucci / Associated Press Photo: Evan Vucci / Associated Press Image 1 of / 4 Caption Close Q poll: Most back probes into Trump/Russia ties 1 / 4 Back to Gallery

By a margin of 2-1 most Americans want Congress - not President Donald Trump -to handle America's policy towards Russia, a new poll by Quinnipiac University has found.

In a separate question, voters support 62 - 32 percent, investigations into potential links between Trump's campaign advisers and the Russian government.

The poll, released Monday by the Hamden-based university, also found that American voters believe 53 - 39 percent that the Russian government interfered with the 2016 presidential election. And, they support 56 - 30 percent the sanctions imposed on Russia by the Obama Administration.. In fact, 76 percent of those who support existing sanctions want tougher sanctions.

"Beware the Russian Bear, say American voters, most of whom believe the Kremlin meddled in the U.S. presidential election," Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll, said in a release announcing the poll. "President Donald Trump is too friendly with Russia and voters say 2-1 they would rather have Congress, not the president, handle future relations with Russia.”

The poll also found:

Russia is an adversary of the U.S.; 46 percent of American voters say, while 9 percent say Russia is an ally and 41 percent say it is neither an ally nor an adversary.

A total of 67 percent of American voters say alleged Russian interference is a "very important" or "somewhat important" issue, and 68 percent want the matter investigated.

Trump is "too friendly" towards Russia, 49 percent of voters say, while 3 percent say he is "too unfriendly" and 43 percent say he has the right attitude towards Russia.

Voters trust Congress more than Trump 60 - 29 percent to handle America's policy towards Russia.

"Should we let bygones be bygones? Absolutely not, say Americans, who want an investigation - and tougher sanctions," Malloy said.

On Putin

American voters have a 70 - 9 percent unfavorable opinion of Russian President Vladimir Putin and say 78 - 8 percent that he is not democratically elected.

On Mexico

Trump is "too unfriendly" towards Mexico, 53 percent of American voters say, while 42 percent say he has the right attitude.

On NATO

Voters are divided on Trump's attitude towards NATO allies as 44 percent say he is "too unfriendly" and 42 percent say he has the right attitude.