Is Donald Trump Heading for Impeachment Again? New Polls Show His Approval Rating Sliding as Iran War Crisis Deepens

A widening war with Iran and falling approval ratings are fuelling renewed questions in Washington about the political future of President Donald Trump. As American casualties mount and economic concerns intensify, new polling data suggests public confidence in the president's leadership is weakening, while lawmakers and constitutional scholars have revived debate over whether his decision to authorise military action without explicit congressional approval could trigger impeachment proceedings.

The United States launched military strikes against Iranian targets in late February 2026, triggering a rapidly escalating conflict that has reshaped the domestic political landscape.

Polling Shows Trump's Approval Rating Under Pressure

Recent surveys indicate that Trump's national approval rating remains underwater as the Iran conflict intensifies. An Economist/YouGov poll conducted in early March 2026 found that 38 per cent of Americans approve of Trump's job performance while 58 per cent disapprove, one of the lowest net ratings of his second presidency. A Quinnipiac University survey reported 37 per cent approval and 57 per cent disapproval, highlighting significant erosion among independent voters.

Aggregated polling averages compiled by RealClearPolitics place Trump's approval rating at roughly 43 per cent with about 55 per cent disapproval. Those figures place Trump in familiar political territory, as his first presidential term averaged around 43 per cent approval, a historically low figure for modern presidents but one that proved politically resilient among his base. Analysts note that the current polling downturn coincides with mounting public anxiety about the Iran war and its potential economic consequences.

Public Opinion Divided Over Iran War

The military confrontation with Iran has become one of the most polarising foreign policy issues of Trump's second presidency, with several national polls indicating that more Americans oppose the conflict than support it. A Quinnipiac survey conducted in early March found 53 per cent of voters opposed the war, while only about four in ten supported it. Opposition was particularly strong among Democrats and independent voters, while Republicans overwhelmingly backed the president's decision to launch the strikes.

A Washington Post poll found that 42 per cent of Americans favour halting the strikes, compared with 34 per cent who support continuing them, suggesting widespread uncertainty about the conflict's strategic objectives. Many respondents also said the administration had not clearly explained the war's goals. A Reuters/Ipsos survey found that two-thirds of Americans expect petrol prices to rise as a result of the conflict, reflecting fears that instability in the Middle East could disrupt global energy markets and carry political consequences as the United States approaches the 2026 midterm elections.

Constitutional Debate Over Presidential War Powers

Beyond the immediate political fallout, the Iran conflict has revived a longstanding constitutional debate over presidential authority to wage war. Under the US Constitution, Congress holds the power to declare war, while the president serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 requires presidents to notify Congress within 48 hours of introducing armed forces into hostilities and limits military engagement to 60 days without congressional authorisation.

Critics argue that Trump's decision to authorise strikes without explicit congressional approval raises serious legal and constitutional questions. A majority of voters in one recent survey said the president should have sought approval from Congress before launching the strikes. While disagreements over war powers have surfaced during previous conflicts, they rarely escalate into impeachment efforts unless combined with broader political controversy, though the issue has intensified scrutiny from lawmakers who argue that Congress must reassert its constitutional role in decisions of war and peace.

Impeachment Talk Remains Politically Uncertain

Despite the renewed debate, the likelihood of impeachment remains uncertain. Under the US Constitution, the House of Representatives has the authority to approve articles of impeachment by a simple majority vote, while conviction in the Senate requires a two-thirds majority. Trump was impeached twice during his first presidency, in 2019 and 2021, but was acquitted both times by the Senate.

Political analysts note that launching a third impeachment effort would require significant bipartisan support, a scenario that currently appears unlikely given the deeply polarised nature of American politics. With midterm elections approaching, Trump's approval ratings and the trajectory of the conflict may ultimately determine whether impeachment talk remains rhetorical or evolves into a formal political battle.