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government shutdown

Americans Blame GOP and Trump for Government Shutdown, Poll Says

Emma Hinchliffe
By
Emma Hinchliffe
Emma Hinchliffe
Most Powerful Women Editor
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Emma Hinchliffe
By
Emma Hinchliffe
Emma Hinchliffe
Most Powerful Women Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
January 13, 2019, 10:37 AM ET

Americans hold President Donald Trump and the GOP responsible for the ongoing government shutdown, according to a new ABC News/Washington Post poll.

The shutdown is now the longest in the country’s history. Democrats overwhelmingly blame Republicans: 85% of Democrats lay blame at Congressional Republicans and Trump. But when you take a look at Republicans’ view, the numbers aren’t as extreme; only 68% of Republicans blame Democrats for the shutdown, by comparison.

Fifteen percent of Republicans blame their fellow Republicans for the government’s standstill, and another 15% of Republicans blame both parties equally.

In total, 53% of poll respondents blame the Republican side for the shutdown.

The same poll, however, showed increased support for Trump on one issue: a wall at the U.S.-Mexican border. Forty-two percent of survey respondents support Trump on his proposed wall—a key issue holding up the government from reaching a spending deal—and that number surpasses a previous high of 37% support in 2017. Sixty-six percent of respondents, however, oppose Trump using emergency powers to get a border wall built—something he has floated during the shutdown.

More Americans—54%—still say they oppose a border wall. The poll surveyed Americans by landline and cell phone from Jan. 8 to 11.

About the Author
Emma Hinchliffe
By Emma HinchliffeMost Powerful Women Editor
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Emma Hinchliffe is Fortune’s Most Powerful Women editor, overseeing editorial for the longstanding franchise. As a senior writer at Fortune, Emma has covered women in business and gender-lens news across business, politics, and culture. She is the lead author of the Most Powerful Women Daily newsletter (formerly the Broadsheet), Fortune’s daily missive for and about the women leading the business world.

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