A new survey has revealed a striking political stasis in the United States, showing that public approval of President Donald Trump's second term in office has remained virtually frozen since its inception.
An Unmovable Approval Rating
The latest poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, conducted between 8-11 January 2026, indicates that approximately four in 10 U.S. adults approve of Trump's performance. This figure is essentially unchanged from March 2025, shortly after he began his second tenure. This remarkable consistency mirrors his first term, where he entered and left office with similar ratings, suggesting a deeply entrenched and polarised electorate.
Despite a year of dramatic events, including a foreign policy focus that led to the military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, the numbers have not budged. The poll underscores that most Americans maintain a critical view, with about half saying the President is focused on the wrong priorities. Only about two in ten believe he is focused on the right ones.
Economic and Immigration Vulnerabilities Exposed
Beneath the stagnant top-line number, the survey reveals significant soft spots for the administration. On the economy, a central pillar of Trump's platform, only 37% of adults approve of his handling. This is a new vulnerability, as his ratings on the economy were typically higher during his first term. The data shows about six in ten Americans believe his actions have hurt the cost of living.
Another key area of decline is immigration. Once among his strongest issues, approval for his handling of immigration has slipped to 38%, down from 49% in March 2025. The poll was conducted shortly after the death of Renee Good, who was shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis. However, about 45% of Americans still credit him with helping border security "a lot" or "a little," including a notable minority of Democrats.
Foreign Policy Focus Meets Public Disapproval
As Trump has turned more attention to global affairs in his second term, including a push to control Greenland, public scepticism has grown. About six in ten Americans disapprove of his approach to foreign policy. Furthermore, 56% say he has "gone too far" in using the U.S. military to intervene in other countries.
This creates a potential liability, contrasting sharply with the "America First" agenda he campaigned on, especially as voters remain concerned about domestic costs. The poll suggests that even dramatic actions overseas may do little to shift these entrenched views in the coming months.
The overall picture is one of a politically static nation. Whether this represents a "new normal" in hyper-partisan U.S. politics or is unique to Trump's presidency, the January 2026 poll confirms that the American public's judgement of his second term was largely set in stone from its very beginning.
