Support among Republican voters for potential U.S. military action against Venezuela has declined over the past month, posing a potential political challenge for the White House as President Donald Trump weighs whether to move forward with a strike.
A new YouGov poll, cited by Axios on Saturday, found that Republican support for launching an attack on Venezuela fell from 68% in late September to 58% by the end of October. The survey also revealed that only 28% of Republicans favored a full-scale invasion, while 38% opposed it outright. Opposition among Democrats and independents was even stronger, with 73% of Democrats and 53% of independents rejecting the idea of military action.
The cooling enthusiasm is also reflected within the Republican Party itself. Several prominent conservative figures, including political commentator Tucker Carlson, have voiced opposition to U.S. intervention, signaling that Trump’s “Make America Great Again” base remains divided on the issue.
Reports indicate that the administration has taken notice of this skepticism. Last week, senior officials held a closed-door briefing with a group of Republican senators described as potential “swing votes” should any legislation authorizing strikes on Venezuela reach Congress. The Trump administration has long maintained that it does not require congressional approval to carry out such operations.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, a noted critic of U.S. foreign interventions, added to the uncertainty on Saturday by releasing a statement declaring that the “era of regime change” was over. Her remarks were interpreted by some observers as a subtle appeal for the administration to reconsider its current trajectory toward confrontation.
The shift in sentiment mirrors similar divisions within the Republican Party earlier this year, when Trump’s decision to strike Iranian nuclear sites drew limited backing from his base and widespread disapproval from younger conservatives and independents—a trend that contributed to his ongoing struggle to maintain approval ratings across broader demographics.