New Poll Shows Massive Support for President Trump and His Agenda
February 24, 2025
Action Summary
- Poll Overview: Harvard CAPS-Harris poll indicates overwhelming public support for President Trump’s agenda and reforms aimed at making America great again.
- Key Policy Initiatives:
- Immigration & Border Security: 81% support deporting criminal illegal immigrants; 76% favor closing the border with enhanced security measures.
- Government Efficiency: 76% back a full-scale effort to eliminate fraud and waste in government; 77% call for an examination of all government expenditures; 72% support establishing an agency focused on efficiency; 70% view government as rife with waste and inefficiency; two-thirds believe Congress should aid in expenditure reduction.
- Social and Cultural Policies: 69% support keeping men out of women’s sports; 68% agree with a declaration of only two genders; 65% favor ending race-based hiring in government.
- Foreign Policy and Trade: 63% support freezing and re-evaluating foreign aid; 61% and 57% back reciprocal tariffs as well as other economic strategies to secure concessions from other nations; 60% favor direct U.S. negotiations with Russia to resolve the Ukraine conflict; 59% support cutting government spending approved by Congress.
- Energy Policy: 57% support ending the ban on new offshore drilling.
- Economic Outlook: Nearly half believe the U.S. economy is strong under President Trump and expect his policies to improve their financial situation; overall optimism about the country’s direction has risen significantly.
- Leadership and Favorability: President Trump and key figures — Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and Attorney General Pam Bondi — receive net positive favorability ratings.
Risks & Considerations
- The strong public support for President Trump’s agenda, particularly in areas such as immigration, government efficiency, and economic policies, suggests a political climate that may influence federal funding priorities and regulatory changes. Vanderbilt University should be prepared for potential shifts in funding allocations, especially in areas related to foreign aid and government expenditures.
- The emphasis on reducing government waste and fraud could lead to increased scrutiny of federal grants and contracts, impacting research funding and compliance requirements for the university.
- Policies supporting tariffs and direct negotiations with foreign nations may affect international collaborations and partnerships, potentially influencing Vanderbilt’s global engagement strategies.
- The support for ending race-based hiring in government could impact diversity and inclusion initiatives, necessitating a review of Vanderbilt’s hiring practices and policies to ensure alignment with federal guidelines.
- Changes in gender policies and sports regulations may affect university athletics programs and student policies, requiring careful consideration of compliance and inclusivity.
Impacted Programs
- Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations may need to increase its advocacy efforts to ensure continued support for research funding and educational programs amidst potential budget reallocations.
- The Office of Diversity and Inclusion might need to reassess its strategies and initiatives in light of potential changes in federal hiring and diversity policies.
- Vanderbilt’s International Programs could be affected by shifts in foreign policy and trade relations, necessitating adjustments in international partnerships and student exchange programs.
- The Athletics Department may need to review its policies and practices to ensure compliance with new regulations regarding gender and sports participation.
Financial Impact
- Potential reductions in foreign aid and government expenditures could lead to decreased funding opportunities for international research and development projects.
- Increased scrutiny of government spending may result in more stringent compliance requirements for federal grants, impacting administrative processes and resource allocation at Vanderbilt.
- Changes in trade policies and tariffs could affect the university’s procurement strategies and costs, particularly for imported goods and services.
- Vanderbilt may need to explore alternative funding sources and partnerships to mitigate potential impacts from shifts in federal funding priorities.
Relevance Score: 4 (The agenda presents a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs and policies.)
Key Actions
- Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should monitor developments in government efficiency initiatives and potential changes in foreign aid expenditures. Engaging with policymakers to understand these shifts can help the university align its international programs and partnerships with new federal priorities.
- The Department of Political Science should conduct research on the implications of increased tariffs and changes in foreign policy, particularly regarding U.S. negotiations with Russia. This research can provide valuable insights into the geopolitical landscape and inform Vanderbilt’s international relations curriculum.
- Vanderbilt’s Athletics Department should review policies related to gender in sports, ensuring compliance with any new federal guidelines or regulations that may arise from the administration’s stance on gender issues.
- The Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions should explore the societal impacts of the administration’s policies on race-based hiring and gender definitions. This research can contribute to public discourse and policy recommendations.
Opportunities
- The emphasis on government efficiency and reducing waste presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Public Policy Studies Program to engage in policy analysis and advocacy. By providing evidence-based recommendations, the program can influence how these initiatives are implemented.
- Vanderbilt can capitalize on the focus on American workers and tariffs by developing new programs in economics and trade policy. This could include research initiatives and partnerships with industry leaders to enhance Vanderbilt’s reputation in economic policy studies.
- The administration’s support for direct negotiations with Russia offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s International Relations Program to host forums and discussions on diplomatic strategies and conflict resolution, positioning the university as a leader in international diplomacy education.
Relevance Score: 3 (The text suggests some adjustments are needed to processes or procedures at Vanderbilt to align with potential policy changes.)
Timeline for Implementation
N/A – There are no directives or specific timeline requirements mentioned in the article, as it reports on public opinion polls rather than executive orders or policy directives.
Relevance Score: 1
Impacted Government Organizations
- N/A: The text is a report on public opinion polling and does not contain executive directives or policies that target specific government organizations.
Relevance Score: 1 (The information does not mandate or impact any specific government agencies.)
Responsible Officials
- N/A – The text is a report on poll results showing public approval and does not include any specific directives requiring implementation.
Relevance Score: 1 (The content does not contain actionable directives and hence impacts only low-level reporting.)