Most Americans do not want former President Donald Trump convicted in the upcoming Senate trial, fearing by a wide margin that it will further divide the election-torn nation.
The latest Rasmussen Reports survey found likely voters divided on conviction, 50% against to 45% for.
The Senate has already signaled that Trump’s enemies have fallen far short of the votes needed to convict the one-term Republican on a charge of “incitement of insurrection” that occurred when pro-Trump protesters violently stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6.
However, Democrats are pressing ahead in part out of duty and because they want history to record the first second impeachment of a president. “Make no mistake, there will be a trial, and the evidence against the former president will be presented in living color for the nation and every one of us to see once again,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
America, Dis-United:
Most voters think the country has become more divided since Election Day, including 38% of Democrats, 58% of unaffiliated & 75% of Republican voters.
Crosstabs with Party Splits Marked & story below – https://t.co/fUgjTFl4MK pic.twitter.com/vZtPllwCgz
— Rasmussen Reports (@Rasmussen_Poll) January 28, 2021
But voters are questioning that move, concerned it will “cause more division” in the nation, said the poll analysis. Some 57% have that fear. Just 19% think the trial will unite America.
The partisan split over the trial reveals the continued division in the country and parallels the support and opposition Trump saw as president.
Rasmussen said that 80% of GOP voters want Trump acquitted, and 75% of Democrats want him convicted. Among voters unaffiliated with a party, 54% say Trump should be acquitted.
