The U.S. administration recently conducted an operation leading to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, signaling an expanded focus on foreign policy. Concurrently, the administration has articulated interest in territorial acquisitions such as Greenland and increasing U.S. influence in the Western Hemisphere. Public opinion polls indicate varied responses, with Americans divided on the Venezuela operation and largely opposed to broader expansionist proposals, while prioritizing domestic economic concerns.
Administration's Foreign Policy Stance
Following the operation resulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, statements from the U.S. administration have indicated a focus on an expanded foreign policy agenda. President Donald Trump reportedly claimed Venezuela's oil reserves and issued warnings to other nations. Social media accounts associated with his political campaign and the government have portrayed the president as a figure of conquest in the Americas, with a State Department post stating, "THIS IS OUR HEMISPHERE."
The administration had previously expressed interest in acquiring Greenland and integrating Canada as a U.S. state. White House adviser Stephen Miller reiterated the objective to gain control of Greenland, asserting the United States has a legitimate claim to the territory over Denmark. Miller stated, "Nobody’s going to fight the United States militarily over the future of Greenland." President Trump had previously remarked, "we need Greenland from the standpoint of national security, and Denmark is not gonna be able to do it." President Trump also stated on Truth Social that "anything less" than U.S. control of Greenland is "unacceptable." This message was issued ahead of a White House meeting with Danish officials, Vice President JD Vance, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, which reportedly did not result in an agreement.
Public Opinion on Venezuela Operation
Public responses to the U.S. military action in Venezuela have been divided, according to various polls. A Reuters-Ipsos poll released after Maduro's capture indicated that 33% of Americans approved of the operation, while 34% disapproved. A CNN poll, however, reported 48% favoring the action and 52% opposing it.
Additional polling data highlighted concerns regarding extended involvement in Venezuela:
- 72% of respondents, including 54% of Republicans, expressed concern about the U.S. becoming too involved in the country.
- 44% opposed temporary U.S. governance of Venezuela, while 34% supported it.
- 46% opposed President Trump's stated plan to control Venezuela's oil, with 29% in favor.
- Following the removal of Nicolas Maduro, 58% of Americans opposed U.S. efforts to control the actions of the Venezuelan government.
- Most Americans lacked confidence that U.S. action would lead to a stable government in Venezuela within a year, and approximately two-thirds anticipated a prolonged deployment of U.S. troops.
Partisan views on the initial military action in Venezuela showed significant divergence in a CNN poll: 80% of Democrats opposed the action, while 80% of Republicans supported it. Democrats showed stronger opposition to controlling Venezuela’s government post-Maduro, with 58% of Democratic-aligned Americans strongly opposing such efforts, compared to 28% of Republican-aligned Americans who strongly favored it.
Regarding perceived motivations for the Venezuela action, most Americans believed that U.S. access to Venezuelan oil and a demonstration of America’s military power were significant factors. Fewer considered stated government reasons, such as bringing Maduro to trial or reducing drug trafficking, as major factors. Only 26% believed improving the lives of the Venezuelan people was a major factor.
Public Opinion on Broader Expansionist Proposals
Earlier polls indicated opposition to the administration's broader proposals for territorial acquisitions and expansion of influence:
- Greenland: Polls showed significant opposition to the U.S. attempting to acquire Greenland, with opposition rates ranging from 55%-28% to 73%-27%. A March poll indicated a 49-point margin against pressuring Denmark to cede control. A recent CNN poll by SSRS indicated 75% of Americans opposed the U.S. attempting to take control of Greenland, with 25% in favor. Among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, support and opposition were evenly split at 50% each, while 94% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents opposed the action. A January 2025 Reuters poll found that 8% of Republicans "strongly" favored Denmark transferring Greenland.
- Canada: The idea of Canada becoming the 51st state was also met with public opposition.
- Gaza: A proposal to take control of Gaza faced 74% opposition.
- Panama Canal: Reclaiming the Panama Canal garnered some support but generally received more opposition than support in polling. A January 2025 Reuters poll found that 29% of Republicans "strongly" favored reclaiming the Panama Canal.
A Reuters poll on the concept of "manifest destiny" asked if the United States had the "right to expand its territory in the Western Hemisphere." 51% of Americans opposed this, while 21% supported it. Republicans leaned modestly in favor (39%-32%), but only 7% of Americans overall strongly agreed with the sentiment. Nearly six in ten Americans expressed concern that President Trump had exceeded appropriate measures in attempting to expand America’s power over other countries, with only a third believing his efforts were appropriate. Additionally, 55% of Americans stated he had overused the U.S. military to achieve his objectives. The percentage of Americans who believed Trump’s foreign policy decisions had negatively impacted America’s standing globally increased to 57%, up from 53% last summer.
Public Priorities
Despite the administration's focus on foreign policy, polls suggest Americans prioritize domestic issues. An October CBS News and YouGov poll revealed that 75% of Americans, including 57% of Republicans, believed the Trump administration was not sufficiently focused on reducing the costs of goods and services. This figure had reportedly increased over the preceding year. Other polls indicate that foreign policy is not a primary concern for many Americans, with a high number stating a preference for U.S. involvement overseas only when strictly necessary due to imminent threats.