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Four months into Trump’s second term, Democrats remain deeply pessimistic about their party
Democrats remain pessimistic about the future of their party, six months after they suffered setbacks up and down the ballot at the hands of now-President Donald Trump and Republicans.
That’s a key finding in a newly released national poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
According to the survey, only about one-third of Democrats are very or somewhat optimistic about the future of the Democratic Party. That’s a steep decline from last July, when around six in 10 Democrats said they were optimistic.
The Democratic Party has been in the political wilderness since last November’s elections, when Republicans won back control of the White House and the Senate and defended their fragile House majority. And Republicans made gains among Black and Hispanic voters as well as younger voters, all traditional members of the Democratic Party’s base.
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Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 22, 2024, in Chicago. The latest polls indicate the Democratic Party sinking to new favorability lows. (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
The survey, conducted May 1-5, points to an increase in optimism among Republicans, with 55% more optimistic about the future of the GOP, up from 47% last summer.
Since Trump’s return to power, an increasingly energized base of Democrats is urging party leaders to take a stronger stand in pushing back against the president’s sweeping and controversial agenda during the opening months of his second administration. And their anger is directed not only at Republicans but also at Democrats they feel aren’t vocal enough in their opposition to Trump.
And that’s fueled the plunge in the Democratic Party’s favorable ratings, which have hit all-time lows in several new polls so far this year.
According to the AP-NORC survey, only around a third of all respondents have a positive view of the party. The GOP didn’t fare much better, with only around four in 10 adults holding a favorable view of the Republican Party.
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Some top Democrats were sampled in the poll.
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, the longtime progressive champion and 2016 and 2020 Democratic presidential nomination runner-up, was viewed positively by roughly four in 10 Americans. But around three-quarters of self-described Democrats questioned held a favorable view of Sanders.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders participate in a stop on the «Fighting Oligarchy» tour in Bakersfield, California, on April 15, 2025. (Reuters/Aude Guerrucci)
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, the progressive firebrand who has teamed up with Sanders this year for a series of large rallies across the country, was viewed positively by only three out of 10 adults. Around half of Democrats held a favorable opinion of the four-term representative, who is seen as a possible 2028 Democratic presidential contender.
There are also suggestions that Ocasio-Cortez may primary challenge longtime Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York when he’s up for re-election in 2028.
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Only 21% of adults view Schumer favorably. A third of self-described Democrats said they view him positively, but that’s a dramatic drop from December, when half of Democrats questioned held a favorable opinion of the 74-year-old senator.
Many Democrats heavily criticized Schumer earlier this year for his support of a GOP-crafted funding bill that kept the federal government from shutting down.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer speaks on Capitol Hill, on April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
The AP-NORC poll is the latest survey to spell trouble for the Democratic Party.
The Democrats’ ratings stood underwater in the most recent Fox News national poll at 41% favorable and 56% unfavorable in a survey conducted April 18-21.
That’s an all-time low for the Democrats in Fox News polling. And for the first time in a decade, the party’s standing was lower than that of the GOP, which stood at 44% favorable and 54% unfavorable.
The figures were reversed last summer, when Fox News last asked the party favorability question in one of its surveys.
The Democratic Party’s favorable ratings were well in negative territory in a Pew Research national survey – 38% favorable, 60% unfavorable – conducted in early April and at 36% favorable, 60% unfavorable in a Wall Street Journal poll in the field a couple of weeks earlier.
And national polls conducted in February by Quinnipiac University and March by CNN and by NBC News also indicated the favorable ratings for the Democratic Party sinking to all-time lows.
But there’s more.
Confidence in the Democratic Party’s congressional leadership sunk to an all-time low, according to a Gallup poll conducted early last month.
The confidence rating for Democrats’ leadership in Congress stood at 25% in the survey, which was nine points below the previous low of 34% recorded in 2023.
And the semi-annual Harvard Youth Poll, which was released late last month, indicated that approval ratings for Democrats in Congress among Americans aged 18-29 nosedived.
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An ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll conducted in mid-April indicated that more respondents trusted Trump (40%) than Democrats in Congress (32%) to handle the nation’s main problems. The results came even as Trump’s approval ratings have slid into negative territory since returning to the White House.
And a Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted late last month suggested Republicans hold a significant advantage over Democrats on two top issues: the economy and immigration.
Politics,Elections,Polls,Fox News Elections Polls,Democratic Party,Republicans,Bernie Sanders,Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez,Chuck Schumer
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Texas Democrat blasted for ‘bloody Trump’ costume, violent rhetoric after deadly ICE shooting
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South Texas Democratic congressional candidate Bobby Pulido is being criticized for feeding a «sickness» and «spreading hate» through his rhetoric against President Donald Trump and Republicans, especially in light of a deadly anti-ICE shooting in Dallas this week.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, former Texas Republican Rep. Mayra Flores, the first Mexican-born woman elected to Congress, criticized Pulido and other Democrats for «attacking our men and women serving this country for enforcing the laws.»
«It’s this type of hateful rhetoric that is causing innocent lives to be lost,» Flores said. «And because of that, we’re seeing all these shootings, and it will continue to happen because, at the end of the day, this hateful rhetoric is coming from members of Congress, from senators.»
«They need to set an example,» she went on. «Americans are looking up to these individuals. And so, if they’re seeing that they’re spreading hate, then that instills in them hate as well towards our men and women [in law enforcement].»
‘MY FIRST EMOTION WAS FEAR’: GEORGETOWN STUDENTS REACT TO FLYERS CELEBRATING CHARLIE KIRK’S MURDER
Former Rep. Mayra Flores, R-Texas (right), asked Democrats, including Bobby Pulido (left), to «please stop playing political games with our men and women that are just doing their job.» (Jaime Nogales/Medios y Media/Getty Images and ALLISON DINNER/AFP via Getty Images)
This comes as the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) accused Pulido, who is a Tejano music star, of having a «lengthy history of engaging in violent, extreme political rhetoric.»
The committee said that despite Pulido condemning political violence, such as Charlie Kirk’s assassination, and calling for a toning down in rhetoric on both sides, his own words through the years have not been consistent with this call.
On Sept. 10, Pulido posted on X, «I don’t care what side of the political aisle you are, what happened to Charlie Kirk is abhorrent. The political rhetoric needs to be brought down on both sides. I pray for him, his family and also for our country.»
According to the NRCC, however, Pulido’s inflammatory rhetoric goes back years, even including dressing up as a blood-soaked Trump for Halloween in 2015. A screenshot of the since-deleted post shared with Fox News Digital shows a bloodied Trump with a Spanish caption reading, «Years ago Donald Trump and Paquita had a son. Here is the exclusive image.»
EXCLUSIVE: IMMIGRATION AGENT REVEALS ‘BIGGEST FEAR’ AFTER DEADLY ANTI-ICE SHOOTING
The NRCC shared a screenshot of a since-deleted 2015 post by Tejano music star and Democratic candidate Bobby Pulido dressed as a bloody Donald Trump for Halloween. (NRCC and Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
He has also suggested that Trump voters are racist, commenting on a 2017 news story about California farms being untended due to the president’s immigration policies by saying, «That’s what racist America wanted, that’s what you got.»
In another post from 2016, Pulido wrote that Trump is «racist all the way» and that «his candidacy plays to the alt right.»
This August, he accused Republicans of «literally becoming everything they accused others of being. Marxists and fascists.»
Pulido also previously expressed support for the Black Lives Matter movement by posting a black square on his Instagram for «Blackout Tuesday» and sharing a video of a Houston BLM rally with the caption «#GodBlessTexas.»
He has said in a video that «there’s a lot of great cops out there» but that «at the end of the day, there’s not a country out there that doesn’t oppress.»
Referring to allegedly racist police officers in a 2017 X post, Pulido used profanities in Spanish to describe them.
SPECIAL AGENT SLAMS ‘DANGEROUS’ TREND OF DEMOCRATS USING ICE AS CAMPAIGN PROPS
Bobby Pulido performing during the Festival Arre 2024 at Foro GNP on Sept. 7, 2024, in Mexico City, Mexico. (Getty Images)
Addressing Pulido and other Democrats directly, Flores asked them to «please stop playing political games with our men and women that are just doing their job.»
«At the end of the day, we’re all Americans. We want the best for our communities, and they should not be prioritizing their political party over safety,» she said.
Flores said that for many who grew up listening to Pulido’s music, he has a special responsibility to set an example of civility and respect.
«He is an icon in the Tejano industry. A lot of people look up to his music, and so he has an obligation to talk about this issue and to show respect towards our [law enforcement] men and women because he has such a huge fan base,» she said.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, NRCC spokesman Reilly Richardson said, «Bobby Pulido’s history of engaging in extreme political rhetoric is utterly disqualifying.»
DEMS FACE BACKLASH FOR VIOLENT RHETORIC AFTER DEADLY ICE SHOOTING: ‘MUST STOP’
Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, said that «it’s past time Democrats take responsibility for their violent rhetoric, which has fueled these attacks, and join the fight to protect our brave ICE officers.» (Mike Segar/Reuters)
«Radical Democrats like Pulido have been unapologetically demonizing ICE agents and our law enforcement for years,» said Reilly.
«A deep and pervasive sickness has infected the radical left in this country, and Democrats like Bobby Pulido are feeding it,» he added.
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Meanwhile, another Texas leader, Republican Rep. Ronny Jackson, said the problem goes far beyond Pulido.
He called the attack on the Dallas ICE facility last week «horrific,» saying it «proves the Left’s relentless attacks on law enforcement puts our officers in real danger.»
«It’s past time Democrats take responsibility for their violent rhetoric, which has fueled these attacks, and join the fight to protect our brave ICE officers!» said Jackson.
Pulido did not respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment by the time of publication.
democratic party,immigration,illegal immigrants,texas,2025 2026 elections coverage,republicans
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El régimen chavista avanza en la activación del estado de conmoción en Venezuela que otorga poderes absolutos a Maduro
El dictador de Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, anunció este lunes que ya comenzó el proceso de consultas sobre el decreto de estado de conmoción externa, una figura de excepción que permitirá al régimen chavista asumir poderes especiales bajo el argumento de una eventual agresión estadounidense desde el Caribe.
Sobre este posible decreto, la vicepresidenta y ministra de Hidrocarburos, la chavista Delcy Rodríguez, también confirmó que el documento ya fue firmado y podría activarse inmediatamente, concediendo amplias facultades al dictador ante la proximidad de buques y fuerzas militares estadounidenses en la región.
“El proceso de consulta del decreto constitucional de estado de excepción para decretar un estado de conmoción exterior arrancó hoy”, afirmó Maduro en su programa de televisión Con Maduro+.
El dictador de Caracas aseguró que la medida busca “proteger a nuestro pueblo, nuestra paz, nuestra estabilidad” y se aplicará en caso de agresión militar o de amenazas externas. Añadió que Venezuela “ha sido agredida económicamente, psicológicamente y políticamente” y recalcó que el país “siempre ha salido adelante”.
Delcy Rodríguez detalló que el decreto le otorga a Maduro “poderes especiales para actuar en materia de defensa y seguridad” si Estados Unidos ejecuta “cualquier tipo de agresión” cerca de las costas venezolanas. Conforme a las declaraciones de la funcionaria chavista, la norma “se activaría de manera inmediata” ante cualquier ataque extranjero.
Washington mantiene actualmente un despliegue naval frente a las costas venezolanas, para combatir el narcoterrorismo impulsado por el Cartel de los Soles vinculado a Maduro, aunque Caracas acusa al gobierno de Donald Trump de planificar un “cambio de régimen”.
Entre las facultades incluidas en el decreto, Rodríguez mencionó la posibilidad de movilizar a la Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana (FANB) en todo el territorio y tomar el control inmediato de infraestructura clave, como servicios públicos, la industria de hidrocarburos y empresas básicas. Estas acciones, enfatizó la funcionaria, buscarían garantizar la “plena operatividad” en caso de una escalada y poner en marcha “todos los planes de seguridad ciudadana”.
La activación de este estado de excepción colocaría a los funcionarios del régimen chavista al mando de las principales decisiones logísticas, financieras y militares del país. Bajo esta modalidad, se restringen ciertas garantías y derechos y se habilita a la dictadura para un control extraordinario de la administración nacional.
Diversas organizaciones y actores del ámbito jurídico local han reclamado mayor transparencia sobre el alcance real de la medida. La ONG Acceso a la Justicia instó al régimen de Maduro a divulgar inmediatamente el texto completo del decreto mediante la Gaceta Oficial, para que los venezolanos conozcan con exactitud el contenido y los límites de las facultades excepcionales.
“El estado de conmoción exterior, al tratarse de un estado de excepción, implica la restricción de garantías a ciertos derechos. Por lo tanto, es importante que se produzca de manera inmediata su difusión en Gaceta Oficial, a fin de que la ciudadanía conozca su contenido”, puntualizó la organización mediante un comunicado difundido en la red social X.
La propuesta de estado de conmoción externa ha generado inquietud entre sectores independientes y la sociedad civil, que piden conocer las condiciones y el alcance exacto de la restricción de derechos. Hasta el momento, el régimen de Maduro no ha detallado públicamente la extensión de las medidas ni el cronograma para su aplicación definitiva.
Mientras tanto, funcionarios chavistas insisten en que cualquier eventualidad bélica o de presión internacional habilitará la activación inmediata de los poderes especiales, con el control de todos los recursos estatales en manos de Maduro y su entorno más cercano.
(Con información de EFE)
South America / Central America,Caracas
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Lawmaker targeted with death threat after condemning racist sign aimed at Winsome Sears
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For the second time in less than a week, a Virginia state lawmaker up for reelection has been targeted with a death threat, amid heightening political rhetoric and the murder of Charlie Kirk.
Del. Geary Higgins, R-Lovettsville, confirmed to Fox News Digital on Monday that he was texted a death threat in which the suspect spewed expletives and said he would shoot the lawmaker at his next rally.
«Let me be clear: threats of violence have no place in our political discourse. I will not be intimidated, silenced, or deterred from doing the job I was elected to do—fighting for my constituents in Western Loudoun and Fauquier counties, and standing up for common sense,» Higgins told Fox News Digital.
Higgins had texted public subscribers to his feed his response to a racist sign held by a female activist who was protesting an appearance by Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears at an Arlington County School Board rally earlier this month.
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Virginia State Del. Geary Higgins, center, chats at an event in Virginia. (Del. Geary Higgins via Fox News Digital)
The woman stood in the vicinity of Earle-Sears’ team with a sign reading, «Hey Winsome, if trans can’t share your bathroom, then blacks can’t share my water fountain.»
Earle-Sears is an immigrant from Jamaica who would be the first Black female governor of Virginia and the second overall, after moderate Democrat Douglas Wilder who was elected in 1989.
The suspect, Patrick Murphy, allegedly texted Higgins back after the campaign blast, telling him, «F— off, Geary.»
«I will shoot u [at] yer (sic) next public rally [t]hen send you memes with the photos,» read the message. «I know where your f—ing kids are too,» Murphy allegedly continued. Murphy faces felony charges and a court date in Leesburg next month.
Fox News Digital reached out to Loudoun Commonwealth’s Attorney RD Anderson’s office for further comment.
In comments to Fox News Digital, Higgins thanked Loudoun law enforcement for quickly arresting a suspect, and expressed hope the public will continue to pray for his family after the threat – as well as all public officials amid what he called a period of increasing threats and political violence.
«Unfortunately, this is the direct result of the nasty lies and constant demonization from the radical left that we’ve seen over the last few years,» Higgins added, criticizing his Democratic opponent for what he said were false advertisements and claims about his political record.
VIRGINIA LEADERS REBUKE RACIST SIGN TARGETING GOP GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE WINSOME EARLE-SEARS: ‘REPULSIVE’
Gov. Glenn Youngkin, left., Del. Geary Higgins right. (Del. Geary Higgins via Fox News Digital)
Higgins said Warrenton innkeeper John McAuliff is «up on TV right now calling me a crook and a treasonist and blatantly lying about my record,» Higgins said, referencing TV ads that used imagery and references to the Capitol riot as well as allegations Higgins profited from the burgeoning planned footprint of data centers in Virginia and West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle.
«The last two sessions in Richmond we’ve been called every name under the sun. It should be shocking to no one that continuing to call your political opponents names like ‘Nazis’ will ultimately lead to violence,» Higgins warned.
A former member of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, Higgins is also the last remaining Republican state delegate in a once-conservative but now increasingly liberal suburban county known for its schools’ infamous transgender bathroom policy battles.
Fox News Digital reached out to McAuliff’s campaign for comment. In one of the ads, McAuliff adds that he scrutinized Higgins as part of his campaign plan to «protect the Piedmont» from development.
In a statement obtained by Fox News Digital, McAuliff said political violence has «no place in our democracy» and that «differences must be settled through debate and elections, never through threats or intimidation.»
McAuliff said he personally reached out to Higgins and was grateful no one was physically harmed and thanked law enforcement for their efforts.
Murphy, of Purcellville, was first taken into custody September 2, according to a police report obtained by Fox News Digital.
The threat against Higgins follows a similar threat in which a Dinwiddie County, Virginia man allegedly texted state Del. Kim Taylor’s campaign last week threatening to kill her and claiming Republicans are «ruining the country.»
Taylor has been prominent since her 2021 election, as she shocked the commonwealth by flipping a seat in Petersburg – one of the most Democratic-majority cities per capita in Virginia.
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Virginia leaders from both parties have condemned a racist sign aimed at Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, which was raised during a protest outside a school board meeting where she was speaking. (Winsome Earle-Sears Campaign; Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Taylor faces the same Democrat she narrowly defeated by about 50 votes two years ago, Kimberly Pope Adams.
On Monday, she also clashed with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger over charged rhetoric from the left, citing recent violence that included the murder of Charlie Kirk.
Spanberger’s recent comments about «let[ting] your rage fuel you» have received criticism from the right, while the former congresswoman continues to maintain she condemns all violence and that she instead is referring to letting people’s personal feelings fuel them to write letters and knock on doors for political campaigns.
The Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office cited an active matter and declined to comment further to Fox News Digital.
virginia,virginia governor race,republicans,state and local,charlie kirk
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