On Wednesday’s WarRoom, Mark Mitchell, pollster for Rasmussen Reports, revealed staggering dissatisfaction among Republican voters in a conversation with show host Ben Harnwell. As Trump solidifies his lead in key battleground states, GOP leadership, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, faces mounting criticism. According to Mitchell’s polling data, Republicans and even independents are rejecting the current GOP establishment, with voters favoring bold actions on spending, immigration, and election integrity.

GOP Leadership Out of Sync with Voters

Mark Mitchell’s data paints a stark picture of the growing divide between GOP leadership and its base. “The Republican voters are tired of compromise,” he noted. A prime example is Speaker Mike Johnson’s reliance on Democrat votes to pass key spending bills. Mitchell pointed out that this strategy directly contradicts the preferences of GOP voters. According to recent polling, 59% of Republicans would prefer a government shutdown rather than more federal spending—something the GOP leadership fears but voters support.

Mitchell added that Johnson’s approach to gaining bipartisan support is seen as a weakness by many within the party, exacerbating the frustration: “Republicans want to see someone stand up and fight, not surrender on key issues like spending and immigration.”

Trump Holds Strong in Battleground States

Despite dissatisfaction with Republican leadership, Mitchell’s polling reveals strong support for former President Donald Trump, especially in battleground states. Trump’s appeal remains robust, even among independents, who are crucial for a 2024 victory.

“Trump is showing resilience across the board in battleground states,” Mitchell observed. His polling reveals that Trump leads by significant margins against President Biden in states like Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, where the margin of error is narrow. Still, the voter energy is in Trump’s favor. This strength is compounded by Trump’s popularity with non-traditional GOP voters, who are increasingly fed up with the party’s leadership.

Mitchell emphasized, “There’s an emerging trend—voters are flocking to Trump not just for his policies, but for his fight against the GOP establishment as well as Democrats.”

Shutdowns More Popular than GOP Claims

One of the most revealing findings from Mitchell’s polling is the overwhelming support among Republicans—and a growing percentage of independents—for a government shutdown over increased federal spending. While GOP leaders like Johnson and McConnell claim that government shutdowns would harm the party, 59% of Republicans think otherwise.

Mitchell highlighted this disconnect: “Voters aren’t scared of a shutdown. What they’re tired of is endless spending with no accountability. Our data shows that it’s not just Republicans—41% of independents would also prefer a shutdown over business as usual in Washington.”

Immigration and Election Integrity Remain Core Issues

The polling also showed strong voter support for aggressive action on immigration and election integrity—two issues that the GOP establishment has largely sidestepped in recent legislative efforts. Mitchell explained that 65% of Republicans want more robust deportation policies, and over 75% of voters believe that proof of citizenship should be required to vote in federal elections.

“Republican leadership is vastly underestimating the importance of these issues,” Mitchell warned. “Voters are asking for strong action on deportation, border security, and ensuring clean elections, but the GOP leaders are hesitant to take the bold steps necessary. This creates a vacuum that Trump has been able to fill effectively.”

Voters Reject GOP Status Quo

Mitchell stressed that dissatisfaction with both Republican and Democratic leaders is now at an all-time high. “The polling indicates that the American people, including 52% of independents, feel that both parties are refusing to challenge the status quo,” he noted. This frustration is only growing as voters feel that their concerns about issues like immigration, spending, and election security are being ignored.

Despite the GOP establishment’s attempts to avoid a government shutdown, 59% of Republican voters believe the party should stand firm. The polling shows that, far from harming the GOP, a shutdown might actually help galvanize its base ahead of the 2024 elections.

 The GOP’s Moment of Reckoning

Mark Mitchell’s analysis offers a clear warning for GOP leadership: voters are fed up with compromise, and they want to see bold, decisive action. With Trump’s continued dominance in key battleground states and overwhelming support for America First policies, Republican leaders like Mike Johnson and Mitch McConnell must recognize that their current strategies are out of sync with the electorate. Mitchell’s polling reveals a clear trend—voters are no longer willing to accept the status quo.

As the 2024 election comes into focus, the GOP faces a critical choice: either embrace the populist energy that Trump has captured or risk losing the support of their core voters entirely.

For more context, watch this Wednesday segment with Mark Mitchell:

Rasmussen: The GOP’s Not Listening To America First Voters, Costing Them Votes Nationally