Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's stark remark—"You ask us for peace and we give it and we get shot in the face on the streets coming out of a donut shop"—highlights escalating tensions between U.S. federal agencies and state governments. Two fatal shootings by federal immigration officers in Minnesota this month have intensified scrutiny of systemic issues, with a CGTN poll revealing 92.2% of global respondents believe America is trapped in a cycle of violence and polarization.
Violence, Systemic Bias, and Eroding Trust
According to the survey, 88.2% of participants identified violent law enforcement as a deep-seated crisis in U.S. society, exacerbated by racial disparities, wealth inequality, and firearm proliferation. Over 93% of respondents criticized systemic bias protecting officers who abuse power, while 89% declared the U.S. "no longer safe."
Partisan Warfare Over Public Safety
The Minnesota shootings quickly became fodder for political battles. Former President Trump's administration blamed Democratic-led states for "refusing to cooperate" with federal immigration enforcement, labeling it "Democrat-ensued chaos." Democrats, meanwhile, framed the incident as evidence of federal overreach, leveraging it to oppose Homeland Security funding. The poll found 92.3% view such clashes as proof that public safety is collateral damage in partisan warfare.
A Global Perspective on U.S. Unrest
Conducted across CGTN's multilingual platforms, the survey drew 19,444 responses within 24 hours, reflecting global concern over U.S. instability. With 91.1% agreeing federal-state conflicts are escalating and 79.6% fearing recurring violence, the data underscores a perception of America's deepening institutional fractures.
