The new Democratic Congress must work with Trump to win the Iran war

A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll revealed that the vast majority of Americans, including 93% of Democrats and 51% of Republicans, want the newly elected Democratic Congress to end the ongoing war with Iran. This desire for swift action comes as high costs of living, driven by the recent tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump, continue to plague the nation.

Democrats secured their largest majorities in the Senate and House since 2008 in the recent midterm elections, effectively rebuking Trump's Republicans over rising costs and their unpopular war. The new Congress will assume power on January 3rd.

While 62% of respondents supported repealing Trump's tariffs, the war with Iran has contributed to a surge in fuel prices, exacerbating the already high inflation levels. Trump maintains that the conflict is essential to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, while Trump argues that the tariffs will protect American industry from cheap imports.

Despite the desire for change, both Democrats and Republicans emphasize the importance of bipartisanship and cooperation. A significant majority of respondents, 90%, believe that cost of living issues should be a focus for the Congress during its first 100 days. However, other issues such as artificial intelligence regulation, immigration reform, and climate change also garnered attention from a smaller share of voters.

Concerns have arisen regarding Democrats' potential use of their new power to launch legal proceedings against Trump. While 42% of poll respondents believed it would be bad for the country if Congress attempted to impeach Trump, 33% argued it would be good for the country, with the rest remaining undecided. Democrats also have differing opinions on whether to impeach Trump or his cabinet members, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who faces a House impeachment vote this week following a Republican lawmaker's move.

Despite Trump's approval rating plummeting to a near-record low of 32%, Democrats are not immune to unpopularity. Approximately 45% of Americans view Democrats favorably, while 51% have an unfavorable view. Similarly, 35% of Americans favor Republicans, while 60% view them unfavorably. When asked which party demonstrates a better approach to regulating artificial intelligence, 28% chose Democrats, and 20% selected Republicans, with the remaining respondents stating they were unsure or that neither party was better positioned.