A new national poll from Quinnipiac University shows broad voter opposition to U.S. military involvement overseas.
The January survey finds Americans strongly resistant to intervention in Iran and supportive of limits on presidential war powers.
The results come as foreign policy debates intensify amid rising global tensions.
Voters reject military action against Iran
Seven in ten registered voters say the United States should not take military action against Iran if protesters there are killed while demonstrating against the government.
Just 18 percent say the U.S. should intervene militarily, while 12 percent did not offer an opinion.
Opposition spans political parties, with independents and Democrats overwhelmingly against involvement and a majority of Republicans also opposed.
Support crosses party lines
Among independents, 80 percent say the U.S. should not get involved in Iran.
Democrats show similar resistance, with 79 percent opposing military action.
Republicans are more divided, but still lean against intervention by a 53 to 35 percent margin.
Voters want Congress involved in war decisions
The poll also shows strong public support for congressional oversight of military action.
Seventy percent of voters say presidents should receive approval from Congress before taking military action against another country.
Only 24 percent say presidents should be able to act without congressional consent.
Sharp partisan divide on war powers
Democrats overwhelmingly favor congressional approval, with 95 percent supporting the requirement.
Independents also back congressional involvement by a wide margin, 78 to 18 percent.
Republicans are more skeptical, with 54 percent saying presidents should not need congressional approval.
Mixed views on Venezuela policy
Voters are split on U.S. actions involving Venezuela.
Forty-seven percent support the Trump administration’s decision to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and bring him to the U.S. to face drug trafficking charges, while 45 percent oppose it.
Independents are nearly evenly divided on the issue.
Strong opposition to military occupation
While opinions vary on leadership changes in Venezuela, voters strongly reject deeper U.S. control.
Seventy-three percent oppose sending U.S. ground troops into Venezuela.
Fifty-seven percent oppose the United States running the country until it meets American expectations.
Greenland and cross-border strikes rejected
The poll also measured public reaction to other foreign policy proposals.
Eighty-six percent of voters oppose the U.S. taking Greenland by military force, and 55 percent oppose trying to buy it.
Majorities also oppose attacking suspected drug facilities in Mexico or Colombia without those governments’ permission.
Trump job approval remains underwater
Overall, 40 percent of voters approve of the way President Donald Trump is handling his job, while 54 percent disapprove.
Majorities also disapprove of his handling of foreign policy, the economy, and U.S. policy toward Venezuela.
Half of voters say America’s moral authority in the world has weakened under Trump’s leadership.
What the poll signals
Taken together, the Quinnipiac poll paints a clear picture of voter sentiment.
Americans favor restraint, multilateral cooperation, and stronger congressional oversight of military action.
As global conflicts remain in focus in 2026, public opinion appears firmly opposed to expanding U.S. military involvement abroad.

