Trust and Distrust in America
Many Americans think declining trust in the government and in each other makes it harder to solve key problems. They have a wealth of ideas about what’s gone wrong and how to fix it.
Majorities of U.S. veterans, public say the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were not worth fighting
About two-thirds of U.S. veterans say the war in Iraq was not worth fighting, while 58% say the same of the war in Afghanistan.
Trump Draws Stronger Support From Veterans Than From the Public on Leadership of U.S. Military
A new Pew Research Center survey of veterans finds that a majority (57%) approve of the way Trump is handling his duties as commander in chief, with about half (48%) saying his administration’s policies have made the military stronger.
From police to parole, black and white Americans differ widely in their views of criminal justice system
Attitudes vary considerably by race on issues including crime, policing, the death penalty, parole decisions and voting rights.
It’s more common for white, older, more-educated Americans to have spoken with local journalists
Overall, about two-in-ten Americans say they have ever spoken with or been interviewed by a local journalist.
Fewer than a third of countries currently have a military draft; most exclude women
The U.S. is one of 23 countries where the military draft is authorized but not currently implemented. An additional 60 have some form of an active conscription program.
Race in America 2019
Most Americans (65%) – including majorities across racial and ethnic groups – say it has become more common for people to express racist or racially insensitive views since Trump was elected president.
Most Americans – especially Republicans – say local journalists shouldn’t express views on local issues
There are partisan divisions over certain aspects of local news reporting, including whether local journalists should express views on local issues.
Americans divided over decision to withdraw from Syria
Overall, 43% of Americans say withdrawing American troops from Syria would be the right decision, while 45% say it would not.
After 17 years of war in Afghanistan, more say U.S. has failed than succeeded in achieving its goals
About half of U.S. adults say the country's mission in Afghanistan has mostly failed in achieving its goals, while about a third say it has mostly succeeded.
