George Floyd Poll: 60% Believe He Was Murdered, Only 38% Think Trump Promotes Justice

Republicans seem to be on the wrong side of history in their perception of the George Floyd's death and the continuing wave of street protests it’s triggered since the first demonstration in Minneapolis on May 26.

USA Today/Ipsos conducted a national poll from June 8 to 9. This poll involved 1,113 adults (757 whites and 121 black Americans), of which 422 are Republicans and 494 Democrats. There are 46 million members of the Democratic Party in the U.S. compared to 33 million Republicans.

The poll uncovered that 9 in 10 Americans overwhelmingly support the right of peaceful protest outside the White House. Only 38% of respondents trust Trump to promote justice and equal treatment among all Americans. Six in 10 trust Black Lives Matter (BLM) while the U.S. military enjoys the most trust among all institutions (72%).

The poll shows how deeply divided America is along political lines. It also shows deeply polarized viewpoints people have about President Donald Trump. Here are a few of the poll’s more notable results:

• 60% of total respondents say Floyd was murdered compared to 28% saying Floyd’s death was because of negligence on part of the officer.
• 65% of total respondents support the ongoing protests.
• Only 44% of Republicans do so compared to 50% that oppose.
• 84% of Democrats support the protests as against 44% that oppose.
• Only 58% of whites support the protests
• 93% of blacks support the protests
• 54% of total respondents say the protests and demonstrations have been mostly peaceful. Thirty-six percent say otherwise.
• 54% of Republicans say the protests have been mostly violent
• 73% of Democrats say the protests have been mostly peaceful
• 51% of whites say law and order is most important
• 69% of Republicans think so, too
• 67% of black Americans say preserving the right to protest is more important
• 65% of Democrats share this same opinion

The respondents’ view of Trump’s leadership is again fairly predictable depending on race and political party. Unwelcome news for Trump: 45% of respondents say former President Barack Obama would be better at handling the ongoing civil unrest. Other important results:

• 20% say Trump will be best at handling the unrest
• 73% of blacks say Obama will be best at doing this
• 38% of whites say so, too
• 75% of Democrats say Obama is the best
• 43% of Republicans say Trump is the best

Respondents’ views of the violent dispersal on June 1 of peaceful demonstrators at the White House on orders of Trump and Attorney-General Bill Barr differed, again depending on race and party.

• 87% of Americans support the peaceful protests outside the White House
• 83% believe police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters
• 68% of Republicans support using active-duty U.S. military troops against demonstrators
• 67% of Republicans support arresting protesters
• 50% of Republicans have no problem with law enforcers firing rubber bullets and tear gas at protesters