Newsletter Quiz 1.26.2026

Question:

What percentage of voters believe that the cities where Trump has deployed troops are a “war zone overrun with crime, chaos, and lawlessness”?

Answer:

Voters differentiate little in their perceptions of conflict across cities: between 42-49%

agree with Trump that each of seven US cities — among them Los Angeles,

Washington, Portland, and Chicago, where Trump has already deployed troops — is a

“war zone overrun with crime, chaos, and lawlessness.”

Because of this, we must must not use the right-wing narrative that connects

federal troop deployments to reduced crime. When we argue that crime is falling, it only elevates the opposition’s words and implies that some level of crime could justify military occupation. It helps create permission for Trump to expand deployments to other cities.

Instead, we should focus on the measures local and state officials have already taken to make cities and communities safer. 

Good Messaging on this Topic

“Families are joining together to stop the Trump MAGA regime from turning our government into a weapon against our people”, or “No one should have the power to turn our government into a weapon against our people.”

Say This: 

• “This endangers our families, our freedoms, and our futures.

• “We know what keeps us safe. It's living in communities where we look out for our neighbors, have the great schools and healthcare we need, and where the people sworn to serve and protect us prevent, investigate, and solve crimes and treat us all as equals.”  

• “ICE murdered Renee Nicole Good as she bravely stood witness to their assault on her immigrant neighbors.”

Instead of This:

• “This will not make us safer.” 

• “We do not have a crime problem.” 

• “The ICE agent did not need to shoot Renee Good. This was not self defense.”

Because: When we negate the opposition’s claims, we merely bring them top of mind. This simply provides them more airtime and possible credibility. 

Our thanks to ASO Communications and Research Collaborative for this information: National survey of likely voters, n1235, Research Collaborative/ASO Communications/Data for Progress, October 24-27, 2025. 

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