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15% Favor Strong Leader Over Democracy, Some Endorse Force

7/5/2026

Summary

MAGA Republicans Favor

Researchers estimate about 40 million adults—15 % of respondents—prioritize a strong leader over democracy.
About 12 % would suspend Congress for an unchecked executive, while one in ten support using the military domestically and over 4 % back private militias.
Among MAGA Republicans, 32 % favor a strong leader versus 7 % of Democrats, a group in which 15-17 % of MAGA supporters are ready to use force, which the Injury Epidemiology study warns could spur backsliding.

Summary

Wintemute Surveys Violence

Dr. Garen Wintemute, an emergency-medicine physician and violence-prevention researcher at UC Davis, led a study on political violence.
Ipsos administered an online questionnaire to a nationally representative panel of 8,248 U.S. adults between May and June 2025.
The survey asked respondents about abstract preferences such as favoring a strong leader over democracy without naming current politicians.
Wintemute’s team hopes the data will help public-safety officials and community leaders prevent extremist actions.

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MAGA Republicans Favor

Researchers estimate about 40 million adults—15 % of respondents—prioritize a strong leader over democracy.
About 12 % would suspend Congress for an unchecked executive, while one in ten support using the military domestically and over 4 % back private militias.
Among MAGA Republicans, 32 % favor a strong leader versus 7 % of Democrats, a group in which 15-17 % of MAGA supporters are ready to use force, which the Injury Epidemiology study warns could spur backsliding.

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