About half of military-connected Americans in a new survey said they disapprove of President Trump’s leadership, with Pete Hegseth drawing a similar split.
Story Snapshot
- About 50% disapproved of Trump’s job performance, 47% approved.
- Hegseth drew about 50% disapproval and 45% approval.
- The poll surveyed 731 active-duty members, veterans, and families.
- Two-thirds saw decisions as driven by politics; over half said it hurt retention.
Survey shows split approval and concern about politicization
The Common Defense survey found near-even but negative approval for both President Trump and Pete Hegseth among people tied to the military. About 50 percent disapproved of Trump’s handling as commander in chief, with 47 percent approving. Hegseth’s numbers were close: about 50 percent disapproved and 45 percent approved. The poll also reported deeper worries. Sixty-seven percent said military decisions under Trump were made for political gain. Fifty-three percent said politicization made them want to leave service sooner.
The survey included 731 respondents drawn from active-duty service members, veterans, and military families. Results came from an online fielding in September and were released in October with a margin of error of about four points. The reported sample skewed older, whiter, more male, and more Republican than the broader population. That tilt often helps Republican figures. Yet the topline still landed underwater for both Trump and Hegseth, which adds weight to the disapproval finding within this group.
Why these numbers matter right now
Military confidence and civilian control depend on trust that leaders make decisions for security, not for politics. The poll’s large share seeing political motives hints at friction inside the civil–military bond. That concern fits a broader pattern that extends beyond this moment. A report by The Heritage Foundation said most surveyed active-duty members had seen politicization and viewed it as a concern, pointing to a recurring issue in the ranks. Leaders who protect apolitical norms tend to keep units focused and retention steady.
Specific questions about war and force use also show caution in the ranks. Reporting from the same period noted that many active-duty troops opposed expanding conflict with Iran. This aligns with a core military instinct: define the mission, align resources, and avoid unclear political aims. When troops sense politics creeping into command, they often pull back in trust. That is not partisan. It is practical. Morale improves when orders feel clear, legal, and tied to real strategy.
How to read a mixed military-affiliated sample
The poll grouped active-duty personnel, veterans, and military families together, which makes sense for a quick snapshot. That mix also blurs which subgroup drove disapproval. Veterans can differ from current troops on issues like readiness, mission tempo, and benefits. Family views can reflect deployments and safety concerns. The Hill’s summary did not publish subgroup breakouts, so any veteran-only or active-duty-only read must wait for crosstabs. The margin of error also means close gaps could shift a few points either way.
President Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth are underwater in their approval ratings with veterans and military members, according to a poll conducted by Common Defense.https://t.co/MtiknGoqQP
— abc27 News (@abc27News) November 3, 2026
Even with those limits, the direction is clear. A near half-and-half split with a small negative edge shows a trust problem that leaders should not ignore. A conservative reading puts readiness first: strip out politics, set achievable objectives, and hold a tight chain of command. If two-thirds see politics in decisions, commanders should over-communicate purpose and rules of engagement. If half consider leaving early, leaders should remove distractions and fix pain points that hit daily life and mission focus.
What comes next for leadership and policy
Leaders can take three steps that honor service and improve trust. First, publish plain-language mission briefs before major actions. Second, keep policy fights outside the unit. Third, measure retention friction by unit and fix problems fast. These are not partisan moves. They are common sense. They align with conservative values of clear authority, local accountability, and results over rhetoric. The poll’s signal is simple: keep the force out of political theater, and credibility will rise.
Sources:
thehill.com, alternet.org, responsiblestatecraft.org, english.almayadeen.net, houstonherald.com
