- The Washington Times - Wednesday, March 6, 2019

President Trump has failed to convince Americans of the need for his border wall emergency declaration, according to a new poll Wednesday that found they oppose his move by two-to-one.

Asked specifically about the need for a wall, the country is skeptical, with 55 percent opposed, the Quinnipiac University Poll found.

Then asked about the president’s emergency move, which siphons money from the Pentagon to build more wall without new congressional approval, a staggering 66 percent give it a thumbs-down.

“’We didn’t want it in the first place and we certainly don’t want it built by emergency executive order,’ say wall-weary voters in big numbers,” said Tim Malloy, the poll’s assistant director.

There is a curious gender gap in views about the need for the wall. Men are slightly in favor, 49 percent to 47 percent. But women are overwhelmingly opposed, 62 percent to 34 percent.

Quinnipiac also found massive support for Democrats’ new gun background check bill, with 86 percent of American voters saying they liked what they heard.

The bill, which passed the House last week, would require all gun transactions, including those between private individuals or made at gun shows, to undergo an FBI background check.

Current federal law only requires purchases from federally licensed dealers to undergo a background check.

• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.

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