independent.ie– The vast majority of Americans say they oppose the actions of the rioters who stormed the Capitol, while smaller majorities say Donald Trump bears responsibility for the attack and should be removed from office and disqualified from serving again, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll.
Even as the findings are sharply partisan, over half of Americans – and one in eight Republicans – say Mr Trump should be criminally charged for his role in the attacks.
The president also comes in for broad criticism over his repeated and baseless assertions that the November election was rigged and tainted by widespread fraud.
By a margin of more than two to one, Americans say the president has acted irresponsibly in his statements and actions since the election.
The survey underscores that Mr Trump will leave office next week on a sour note in the eyes of a majority of the country, with his approval rating tumbling to near the lowest points of his presidency.
The findings mean that as he concludes his single term in office, Mr Trump is judged worse than other recent past presidents when they left office.
Nonetheless, the president continues to enjoy strong support from Republicans, among whom a clear majority agree with his false claims about what happened in November, oppose his removal from office and believe Republican elected officials should continue to follow his lead in the future.
The divide between Americans reflects views of Trump that have remained sharply partisan since his 2016 election.
