By Cris Alarcon, InEDC Writer. (June 30, 2025)
PLACERVILLE, Calif. — June 30, 2025 — In a striking turn against isolationist sentiment, a new nationwide survey from the Reagan Institute reveals a broad, bipartisan consensus in support of a robust U.S. role in global affairs. The 2025 Reagan Institute Summer Survey, conducted between May 27 and June 2 with 1,257 American adults, shows that 64% of respondents want the U.S. to “take the lead” in international matters—a steep increase from just 40% in 2022.
The data signals a clear rejection of the “America First” disengagement ideology that gained traction in recent years. According to the survey, this change spans ideological lines, with 65% of Democrats, 69% of Republicans, and 73% of self-identified MAGA Republicans supporting a more engaged foreign policy.
“American voters are rediscovering the value of leadership through strength,”
said Roger Zakheim, Director of the Reagan Institute.
“This poll confirms what Reagan believed: peace and prosperity require U.S. engagement, not retreat.”
Key findings bolster that theme. 85% say a strong U.S. military is essential to preserving peace. Another 85% agree that global engagement boosts trade and economic opportunity, while 83% believe America has a moral obligation to support democracy and human rights abroad.
The survey comes at a time of escalating global instability. In the Middle East, 84% of Americans consider preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons a vital national interest, and 71% believe Israel’s security is critical to U.S. interests. A significant partisan gap emerged around Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, supported by 60% of Republicans versus 32% of Democrats.
On European defense, 55% of Americans oppose withdrawing from NATO, and 71% would support sending U.S. forces if a NATO ally were attacked. Support for Ukraine remains strong, with 75% saying the war is important to U.S. security and 58% backing a Ukrainian victory. Notably, 12% of Republicans expressed support for Russia, and 28% said they preferred neither side win.
Asia remains another flashpoint. 75% of Americans see a China-Taiwan conflict as a direct security concern for the U.S., and 70% would support military action to defend Taiwan against a blockade or invasion.
The survey also probed views on trade and expansion. While 66% prefer free-market trade policies with targeted tariffs, only 20% support long-term protectionism. Support for China-specific tariffs fell if consumers were expected to pay higher prices. On a more provocative note, 55% support regaining control of the Panama Canal, and 47% support acquiring Greenland, with support highest among Republicans.
The bipartisan backing for democratic outreach overseas is another standout: 73% say supporting freedom abroad prevents threats at home, and 57% believe democracy-promotion programs benefit U.S. security.
The poll was conducted by Beacon Research (Democratic) and Shaw & Company Research (Republican) and carries a margin of error of ±2.5%.
As geopolitical tensions mount, the Reagan Institute’s findings may influence both Democratic and Republican platforms in 2026 and beyond. For voters in El Dorado County—many of whom have strong ties to military service, defense, and patriotism—the results may reinforce long-held beliefs about America’s duty to lead on the world stage.
👉 Download the Full 2025 Reagan Institute Summer Survey Report (PDF)
This PDF includes:
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✅ Detailed charts and graphs for each question
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✅ Subgroup breakdowns by political affiliation, age, gender, and education
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✅ Topline results with year-over-year comparisons
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✅ Question wording and full data tables
Here’s a comprehensive overview of the key findings from the 2025 Reagan Institute Summer Survey, conducted from May 27 to June 2, 2025 with 1,257 Americans (phone + online):
🌍 1. Strong Rejection of Isolationism
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64% of Americans now favor a more engaged U.S. foreign policy (“taking the lead”)—a jump from 40% in 2022 breakingdefense.com+14reaganfoundation.org+14reaganfoundation.org+14.
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Support spans party lines: 65% Democrats, 69% Republicans, 73% MAGA Republicans linkedin.com+3reaganfoundation.org+3reaganfoundation.org+3.
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Only 23% support less engagement—down 10 points from last year; 57% overall still believe the U.S. might better focus domestically, down 5 points reaganfoundation.org+1reaganfoundation.org+1.
2. Confidence in “Peace Through Strength”
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85% view a strong U.S. military as essential for peace and prosperity
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85% say American leadership boosts trade and economy
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83% agree the U.S. has a moral duty to promote human rights and democracy linkedin.com+15reaganfoundation.org+15voz.us+15.
3. Iran & Israel
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A supermajority (84%) see preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons as vital to U.S. security reaganfoundation.org+2reaganfoundation.org+2voz.us+2.
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45% support targeted Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities (60% Republicans vs. 32% Democrats) voz.us+4reaganfoundation.org+4reaganfoundation.org+4.
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71% believe Israel’s security is critical to U.S. interests en.wikipedia.org+10reaganfoundation.org+10voz.us+10.
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49% support U.S. arms to Israel (67% Republicans; 39% Democrats) — a drop from prior polling reaganfoundation.org+1breakingdefense.com+1.
4. NATO, Ukraine & Russia
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55% oppose withdrawing from NATO; 59% want more U.S. troops in Eastern Europe; 71% back U.S. military aid if NATO is attacked reaganfoundation.org+1voz.us+1.
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Regarding Ukraine: 75% say the war matters to U.S. security; 58% want Ukraine to win (80% Democrats, 47% Republicans); 12% of Republicans support Russia, while 28% prefer neither side prevail breakingdefense.com+1reaganfoundation.org+1.
5. China & Taiwan
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75% view a China-Taiwan war as concerning for U.S. security; 70% support U.S. military action if China invades or blockades Taiwan realclearpolling.com+3reaganfoundation.org+3reaganfoundation.org+3.
6. Trade & Tariffs
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66% favor a free-market trade policy with only temporary, selective tariffs; just 20% support broad, ongoing protectionism reaganfoundation.org+2reaganfoundation.org+2voz.us+2.
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Specifically on China, 53% support tariffs—though this drops to 41% if it would raise consumer prices reaganfoundation.org+5reaganfoundation.org+5voz.us+5.
7. Freedom Promotion
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57% believe funding democracy and freedom programs abroad benefits the U.S. (52% Republicans, 68% Democrats) realclearpolling.com+6reaganfoundation.org+6voz.us+6.
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73% say such programs help prevent threats before they reach our shores linkedin.com+1reaganfoundation.org+1.
8. Territorial Expansion (New Question)
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55% support pursuing control of the Panama Canal (81% Republicans, 35% Democrats) .
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47% favor acquiring Greenland (72% Republicans, 28% Democrats), while 33% support U.S. acquisition of Gaza breakingdefense.com+2reaganfoundation.org+2twitter.com+2.
