Upon taking office, President-elect Donald Trump vowed to pardon those convicted of participating in the January 6 mayhem at the US Capitol. But as he prepares to take the presidential oath of office for a second time, a new poll finds that most Americans in the most competitive Congressional districts do not want him to focus on pardons — including most Republicans.

Commissioned by Protect Democracy United, the YouGov polling details/results show:

• 75% of Americans oppose pardons for those convicted of using a deadly or dangerous weapon at the Capitol, including 55% of Republicans 
• 73% of Americans oppose pardons for those convicted of assaulting Capitol Police officers, including 54% of Republicans
• 56% of Americans oppose pardons for those convicted of organizing and directing violence on January 6th
• 55% of Americans oppose pardons for those convicted of crimes by a federal court
• 54% of Americans agree that pardoning people who took part in political violence will encourage more of the same
• Pardoning those convicted or accused of crimes on January 6th ranked among the lowest priorities for the incoming Trump Administration of those tested with 7% support alongside investigating former Special Counsel Jack Smith (1%); withdrawing from the Paris Climate agreement (3%); ending Title IX protections for transgender students (5%); and tariffs (6%)

The poll, conducted across the 43 most competitive Congressional districts in the country, revealed that Americans do not want Trump to prioritize pardons for those convicted for their behavior on January 6. 

It’s not just voters; leading Republicans are also opposed to pardoning violent offenders.

As many supporters of President Trump recognize, for a president who ran on combating crime and reestablishing law and order to pardon hundreds convicted of assaulting law enforcement and otherwise engaging in violence would be hypocritical and dangerous. In our previous YouGov survey, 77% of voters opposed pardons for those convicted of assaulting police officers, including 57% of Republicans and 63% of current military and veterans. 78% opposed pardons for those convicted of using a deadly or dangerous weapon, including 59% of Republicans and 70% of current military and veterans.

To read the poll’s summary memo, visit here. For more on the survey findings, visit here. For more on the president’s pardon power, its constitutional limitations, and options for preventing abuse, see analysis by Protect Democracy here.