Poll shows Republicans lead on crime, immigration and economy as midterm clock ticks

A Washington Post/Ipsos poll released last week shows Republicans are viewed as better than Democrats at handling crime, immigration and the economy, with the margin widening on each issue as the 2026 midterms approach. The survey found 44% of Americans trust the GOP to do a better job on crime, 42% on immigration and 39% on the economy, while 22% prefer Democrats on crime, 29% on immigration and 32% on the economy.

The poll interviewed 2,513 U.S. adults in English and Spanish from Sept. 11-15, with a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points. One-third of respondents said they did not like either major party’s approach to crime, and 28% felt the same about immigration or the economy. Independents leaned toward Republicans on all three issues, despite a Democratic lead on the generic 2026 congressional ballot at roughly 3.6 points in RealClearPolitics averages.

Republican messaging has centered on crime and immigration in particular. President Trump has framed crime as a defining issue, citing the deployment of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., and federal task forces in other urban centers like Memphis to arrest repeat offenders and seize firearms or drugs. His immigration agenda has been credited with keeping illegal border crossings at a record low, a point echoed by supporters and opponents alike as the administration contends with ongoing legal challenges to humanitarian parole programs begun under President Biden. Some Democratic mayors have rejected offers of federal help, highlighting a patchwork response in major cities.

Trump’s rhetoric has also been a recurring feature on the international stage. In a recent address to world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly, he declared: “It’s time to end the failed experiment of open borders. Your countries are going to hell.” The remarks came as the administration pursues tighter border controls and ongoing negotiations over enforcement and removal policies.

The political dynamic is further complicated by judicial and legislative friction. Federal judges have limited some expansions of humanitarian parole programs, while the Supreme Court has largely ruled in Trump’s favor on appeal. In Congress, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has led Democratic opposition to the president’s immigration and crime agenda.

Market activity reflected the policy roller coaster accompanying tariff announcements and shifts in trade talks. Markets dipped after the administration’s April tariff rollout but rebounded as trading partners struck deals with the United States and Cabinet officials. Inflation has remained low enough for the Federal Reserve to consider, and ultimately execute, an interest rate cut this month even as August’s jobs data cooled.

Independents continue to break for Republicans on the three core issues. Among unaffiliated voters, the GOP leads on crime by 21 percentage points and immigration by 10 points, while the economy shows a much narrower edge of one point. Despite the GOP’s edge on these top issues, Democrats maintain the current advantage on the 2026 generic ballot, underscoring a polarized landscape where issue salience does not automatically translate into broad electoral support.

Analysts noted the poll’s timing matters: with the midterms still well over a year away, the public’s assessment of crime, immigration and the economy could shift as policy choices and political messaging evolve. CNN analyst Harry Enten characterized the moment as favorable to Republicans on the three top issues, while acknowledging some voters remain undecided or dissatisfied with both parties.

The results come against a backdrop of ongoing political and legal battles surrounding enforcement policies and border control. While the White House and lawmakers debate the best path forward, independents’ consistent tilt toward the GOP on crime, immigration and the economy suggests a complex electoral calculus as state and local races unfold and voters weigh security and economic stability against concerns about civil liberties and humanitarian considerations.

Overall, the Post/Ipsos poll indicates a persistent Republican advantage on the issues many voters identify as the country’s most urgent, even as Democrats retain some structural advantages in long-range ballot measures. The dynamic points to a campaign season where crime, border policy and the economy will remain central flashpoints, shaping advertising, voter contact, and turnout efforts as both parties seek to translate issue resonance into votes.