President Donald Trump’s handling of the ongoing riots in Los Angeles appears to be boosting his popularity, with voters expressing confidence in his crisis management.
A new Morning Consult poll shows the president’s approval rating has climbed to its highest point in months, reinforcing the belief among Trump and his advisers that he holds a strong political position as the unrest continues. The riots, now in their sixth day, were sparked by a federal operation targeting undocumented immigrants—an issue where Trump already enjoys strong support.
According to the poll, 50% of voters approve of the president’s performance, while 44% disapprove—a shift of four points in both directions since the firm’s previous survey in May. The latest results mark President Trump’s highest approval rating since January, when optimism surrounding his second term was at its peak.
In Morning Consult’s global rankings, Trump fares well compared to other world leaders. He ranks as the seventh most popular leader among democratic nations surveyed, trailing figures like India’s Narendra Modi and Argentina’s Javier Milei, but outperforming others such as U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Separate polls from CNN and CBS News show that a majority of Americans believe President Trump’s deportation agenda is focused on removing dangerous criminals. According to the surveys, 54% of respondents support Trump’s immigration policies, while 46% disapprove.
The riots in Los Angeles began after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid at a Home Depot in the area, triggering a wave of violent unrest throughout the city. After two days of what he saw as an insufficient local response, Trump federalized 4,000 members of the California National Guard and deployed them to restore order.
By Monday, Trump had ordered an additional 700 Marines to Los Angeles, and by Tuesday, Mayor Karen Bass imposed an evening curfew in a last-ditch effort to keep residents off the streets as fires engulfed vehicles and businesses.
The scenes unfolding in L.A. have bolstered Trump’s messaging, allowing him to present himself as a decisive enforcer of law and order in a Democratic stronghold he portrays as lacking effective local leadership.
