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Trust and confidence in the U.S. armed forces is rebounding after years of decline, according to the seventh annual Reagan National Defense Survey.
Approximately 51% of respondents report a great deal of confidence in the U.S. military, up five percentage points from last year. The figure was 48% in 2022 and 45% in 2021.
However, this year’s figure is still nearly 20 points lower than in 2018, when 70% of respondents reported high confidence in the military.
Eighty-two percent say they have at least "some" confidence in the military this year.
Confidence in the military is also much higher than it is for any other institution tested this year. Police and law enforcement garner at least "some" confidence among 77% of respondents (34% say they have a "great deal" of confidence), while election administrators receive 53% (23%), the presidency 45% (22%), the Supreme Court 48% (21%), Congress 39% (9%) and the news media 33% (10%).
The survey — which was sponsored by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, a think tank with offices in Simi Valley, California, and Washington, D.C. — polled 2,510 Americans after November's presidential election.
Little partisan difference exists in Americans’ views of the military, with 56% of those who voted for President-elect Donald Trump and 50% of those who voted for Vice President Kamala Harris expressing high confidence in the military.
Nearly 8 in 10 Americans support increased military spending, per the survey, which found 89% of Trump voters share this sentiment. The level of support for military spending was the highest recorded in the survey’s seven-year history.
It also revealed a growing belief in the need for U.S. global engagement, with 57% of respondents favoring a more active leadership role in international affairs — up 15 percentage points from last year.
The results additionally found bipartisan support for maintaining U.S. military bases worldwide, with 62% agreeing they are essential for deterrence and rapid response. The U.S. military’s presence was seen as most important in the Asia-Pacific region, followed by the Middle East and then Europe to confront threats from China, Russia and other adversaries.
"Americans who cast their votes for different candidates share an unshakable core set of beliefs: the United States must lead on the world stage, backed by a strong military that can secure the peace through its strength," the report said.
But the military’s ability to handle global threats remains a concern for many Americans, suggesting the reason why support for increased defense spending is at an all-time high.
The polling showed that 52% believe the U.S. would win a war against China, compared with 64% who are confident of a victory in a potential conflict with Russia. A majority, 61%, also believe the military should be large enough to fight two wars simultaneously.
— By John Goheen
