A new University of Chicago survey found millions of U.S. adults believe “use of force” is justified to block former President Donald Trump from winning the White House again.
Just over 11% of U.S. adults agree that “use of force” is justified to “prevent Donald Trump from becoming president,” the survey found.
According to the U.S. Census, the United States has roughly 258.3 million adults. Based on the survey’s findings, a whopping 28 million American adults believe “use of force” is acceptable to prevent Trump from winning the 2024 presidential election.
Robert Pape, a professor at the University of Chicago who led the research, said the indictments of Trump are “radicalizing” his supporters and opponents alike. The survey also found 7% of American adults believe force is justified to “Prevent prosecution of Trump.”
“Things are definitely heading in the wrong direction in terms of the radicalization of the country and we need to be aware of that because there were some hopes that the Trump indictment would actually reduce support for Trump,” Pape said.
Trump was indicted for the fourth time Monday night – this time in Georgia over his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
The 41-count indictment also targeted lawyers John Eastman, Sidney Powell, Kenneth Chesebro, Jenna Ellis, and Ray Smith, among others, who were each charged with violating the state’s RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization) act.
“Trump and the other defendants charged in this indictment refused to accept that Trump lost, and they knowingly and willfully joined a conspiracy to unlawfully change the outcome of the election in favor of Trump,” the indictment alleges.
Trump responded to the latest indictment on his social media platform Truth Social.
“So, the Witch Hunt continues! 19 people Indicated tonight, including the former President of the United States, me, by an out of control and very corrupt District Attorney who campaigned and raised money on, ‘I will get Trump.’ And what about those Indictment Documents put out today, long before the Grand Jury even voted, and then quickly withdrawn? Sounds Rigged to me!” Trump wrote. “Why didn’t they Indict 2.5 years ago? Because they wanted to do it right in the middle of my political campaign. Witch Hunt!”
