Most Americans are happy or satisfied that President-elect Donald Trump won the presidential election, are looking forward to what he’ll accomplish in office, and approve of the way he’s handled the presidential transition, a CBS News/YouGov poll found.
Overall, 59 percent of respondents said they approve of Trump’s handling of his presidential transition. Trump completed his cabinet picks over the weekend.
Some of Trump’s picks are expected to face heated Senate confirmation battles. Republicans are somewhat split on whether the Senate should hold confirmation hearings, with 55 percent agreeing that the Senate should, and 45 percent saying that Trump should appoint his picks without Senate hearings. Overall, 76 percent of poll respondents said that the Senate should host confirmation hearings.
The least important trait in a cabinet nominee for Republicans is professional experience in Washington D.C., poll respondents said. The most important, according to Republican respondents, are experience in their respective fields, loyalty to Trump, and the ability to speak their minds.
The poll also found that voters approve of a program that would deport all illegal immigrants and new U.S. tariffs on imported goods; 57 percent of respondents approved of deporting illegal immigrants, while 52 percent favor new tariffs. Most responders said that immigration and border control agencies as well as federal law enforcement agencies should be responsible for a deportation system, not the U.S. military.
When CBS News polled voters in October, 57 percent of Republicans said that America’s best days were “in the past.” Now, following Trump’s win, only 27 percent of Republicans say the same — and 67 percent believe that America’s best days are “in its future.” Democrats largely believe that America’s best days are in its past, with only 36 percent saying that America’s future is most promising.
The poll was conducted from November 19-22, with a sample size of 2,232 respondents.