More than eight in 10 Americans believe the future of U.S. democracy is under ‘serious threat,’ according to a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll released as the country marks its 250th anniversary.

The survey found that 82% of Americans believe democracy faces a threat because of the issues dividing the nation, up from 78% in February. Just 17% said no such threat exists.

The poll surveyed 1,340 U.S. adults by phone, text, and online, with a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

The figure is the highest since Marist began tracking the question in its current form. It has steadily climbed from 76% in June 2025 after falling from 87% in August 2023.

A Nation Divided During Its 250th Birthday

The poll found that Americans hold mixed views about the anniversary. By: Cristina Glebova/ Unsplash

The democracy concerns come as Americans express mixed feelings during the nation’s 250th Independence Day celebration on July 4.

Thirty-two percent of respondents said they feel worried about the anniversary, while 23% said they are hopeful, 22% proud and 22% frustrated.

Political affiliation shaped those views. A plurality of Democrats (42%) and independents (37%) said they were worried, while 42% of Republicans said they were proud.

National pride also remained deeply divided. Overall, 65% said they were proud or very proud to be American, compared with 35% who said they were not. That included 93% of Republicans, 61% of independents, and 45% of Democrats.

Growing Openness to the Idea That Violence May Be Necessary

One of the survey’s most notable findings was growing openness to political violence.

Thirty-seven percent of Americans said violence may be necessary to put the country back on course, including 12% who strongly agreed and 25% who agreed. That is up from 30% in October 2025.

Meanwhile, 35% disagreed with using violence, although only 27% strongly disagreed, down from 36% in October.

Marist Poll Director Lee Miringoff said “the numbers have gone in the wrong direction,” pointing to growing concern that democracy is at risk.

Beverly Gage, a Yale University historian who reviewed the findings for PBS News, said political violence has long been part of American history.

“Violence is very much a part of the American story,” she said, adding that the difference today is a growing belief that violence may again become necessary.

One respondent, James, a federal employee from Maryland interviewed by NPR, expressed concern about that shift.

“People think it will solve their problem, but it will create so many more,” he said.

Founding Ideals Seen as Slipping Away

The survey also found widespread belief that the United States has moved away from its founding principles.

Eighty-three percent said the country has strayed from those ideals, including 47% who said it has “moved far away” and 36% who said it has “moved somewhat away.” Only 16% said the nation still largely represents its founding values.

Miringoff said the results reflect broader concerns about the health of American democracy.

Uncertain Confidence in the Next Generation

Looking ahead to the nation’s 300th anniversary, 59% of respondents said they were not confident future generations would have a brighter future.

That pessimism crossed party lines. Sixty-five percent of Democrats and 62% of independents lacked confidence in the country’s future, while 55% of Republicans rejected that view.

Pessimism Across Multiple Surveys

A survey by Pew Research Center conducted in December 2025 found that Americans were more pessimistic than optimistic about the country’s future. By: Aaron Burden/ Unsplash

The Marist findings align with several recent national surveys.

A Pew Research Center poll conducted in December 2025 found Americans were more pessimistic (44%) than optimistic (28%) about the country’s future. Fifty-nine percent said the nation’s best years are behind it.

An NBC News survey found 58% believed America’s best years were in the past, while 78% said achieving the American Dream is harder today than it was a generation ago.

A Gallup poll conducted in May 2026 found 77% of Americans believe the nation’s founders would be disappointed with the country’s direction, while only 19% said they would approve.

A Reuters/Ipsos survey also found that 77% of Americans expect political violence to increase over the next five years.

Written for Wonderwall ~ July 12, 2026