WASHINGTON – Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) asserted on Sunday that public sentiment appears to be shifting against President Donald Trump, coinciding with a recent dip in the president’s polling numbers and a series of ongoing controversies. Schiff’s assessment comes as Trump faces criticism for his policies and actions on multiple fronts, including immigration, election administration, and foreign policy.
“The public has turned against him,” Schiff told ABC News’s Jonathan Karl on “This Week.” “In every election we’ve had since his election, the voters have swung wildly against him. And as you know, his ego cannot stand another loss.” Schiff expressed concern that Trump’s reaction to potential electoral setbacks could be destabilizing, stating, “So, we have to prepare for the worst. We have to prepare in every way People can. And frankly, the best preparation we have is not the Congress because Republican senators, for the most part, are not going to stand up to him.”
Recent polling data supports Schiff’s claim of declining public support for the president. A polling average from Decision Desk HQ, current as of Sunday, February 8, 2026, places Trump’s approval rating at 42.7 percent, while his disapproval rating stands at 54.6 percent. This represents a notable shift in public opinion since Trump narrowly won the popular vote and an Electoral College landslide in the 2024 election.
The decline in Trump’s approval ratings comes amid increasing scrutiny of his administration’s policies, and actions. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have voiced concerns over Trump’s push to nationalize U.S. Elections, which he framed as a necessary step to ensure fairness and prevent disenfranchisement of legal voters. However, critics argue that this move represents a risky overreach of executive power.
Further fueling the controversy, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was present during the execution of a search warrant in Fulton County, Georgia, resulting in the confiscation of 2020 election ballots. The circumstances surrounding this event remain under investigation, adding to the political turmoil.
Beyond election-related issues, the Trump administration has also faced criticism for its handling of other key policy areas. The killing of two people in Minneapolis by federal immigration agents sparked outrage and renewed debate over immigration enforcement practices. Concerns about affordability and the president’s foreign policy decisions have also contributed to the growing dissatisfaction among voters.
A recent Harvard University/The Harris Poll survey indicated that a majority of respondents believe former President Biden was more effective in office than Trump. Specifically, 51 percent of those polled stated that Trump was handling his job worse than Biden. This finding suggests a growing sense of nostalgia for the previous administration among a significant portion of the electorate.
The Pew Research Center, surveying over 8,000 U.S. Adults between January 20 and January 26, 2026, found that support for Trump’s policies and plans has decreased among Republicans. Only 27 percent of Americans now say they support all or most of Trump’s policies, down from 35 percent last year. This decline in core support is particularly concerning for the president, given his ambitious governing agenda and willingness to pursue controversial policies.
According to Pew, Trump’s approval on immigration has also plummeted across multiple surveys in the past year. The combination of declining overall approval ratings and eroding support within his own party suggests that Trump has less political capital than he did during the period following his 2024 election victory.
The White House has not yet responded to requests for comment on Schiff’s remarks and the recent polling data. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the shifting political landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for both parties. The extent to which Trump can regain lost ground and rally his base will be a key factor in determining the outcome of these crucial elections.
