Drill, Baby, Drill? The Well of Public Opinion Is Drying Up on Trump’s Climate Policy
By Eva Brungard
In his inaugural address, President Trump outlined his energy policy with the simple phrase, “We will drill, baby, drill,” a statement he further backed up with his Day 1 executive orders. From opening Alaska’s protected Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling to blocking all new offshore wind projects, the energy policy of the Trump administration seeks to increase fossil fuel production while halting renewable energy development. Despite public support for the federal declaration of a “climate emergency,” Trump has instead declared an “energy emergency” to speed up oil and gas development while simultaneously obstructing other sources of energy.
In response to Trump’s reversal of federal climate policy, Data for Progress surveyed likely voters about their opinion of Trump’s executive orders and support for fossil fuels versus renewable energy. The findings reveal little support for the shift in energy policy, with the majority of voters hoping to preserve existing climate policies and to continue to develop renewables.
Overall, an overwhelming majority (70%) of voters support taking action to address climate change. This includes a majority of both Republicans (54%) and Independents (74%). The highest support is among young voters (81%) – those under 35 – and Democrats (87%). Majorities across every demographic group tested support taking action to address climate change.
Trump’s first actions in office included immediately suspending all Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding disbursements, despite 72% of likely voters saying they support the IRA, including a majority (56%) of Republicans. Notably, polling reflects that the IRA has remained consistently popular since its passage in 2022.
Contradicting public support for the IRA and climate action, the Trump administration’s recent actions undo climate progress made under the Biden administration, including withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement and pausing the disbursement of IRA funding. However, the majority of voters (73%) report having heard little or nothing at all about Trump’s climate and energy plans from his first week in office. This suggests voters are largely unaware of the sweeping climate policy changes proposed by the new administration.
Despite limited awareness of Trump’s climate and energy actions, his individual policies enjoy lukewarm support at best. In particular, voters show the least support for the banning of offshore wind (38%) and ending the American Climate Corps (38%). Voters are most supportive of ending federal funding for electric vehicles (49%) and declaring a national energy emergency (43%), though none of the policies garner majority support. While majorities of Republicans support Trump’s climate and energy policies, Democrats and Independents oppose actions taken during the first week of his administration.
When asked which type of energy production they would prefer, a plurality of voters (48%) support ramping up clean energy production and limiting fossil fuel development on public lands, compared with the 42% of voters who would prefer to see more fossil fuel production on public lands. Support for more clean energy production is higher among Democrats (68%), Independents (55%), and young voters (62%).
When considering which type of energy project development the federal government should prioritize approving on public lands, voters express even more support for clean energy projects. A majority of voters (52%) believe the government should prioritize clean energy projects, like wind turbines and solar farms, over new oil and gas drilling, with only 38% of voters wanting to prioritize fossil fuel development on public lands. Support for clean energy projects is especially strong among Democrats (72%), Independents (61%), and young voters (66%).
Finally, a majority of voters (52%), including most Independents (61%) and more than three-quarters of Democrats (76%), oppose ending protections against oil and gas drilling on public lands around national monuments. Most voters believe federal protections for public lands should remain in place.
Overall, the message is clear: Voters are not so enthusiastic about the Trump administration’s plan to “drill, baby, drill.” At the very least, voters prefer an all-of-the-above energy approach that emphasizes renewable energy development and taking action on climate change.
Eva Brungard is the Climate and Energy Program Fellow at Data for Progress.
Survey Methodology
From January 24 to 26, 2025, Data for Progress conducted a survey of 1,257 U.S. likely voters nationally using web panel respondents. The sample was weighted to be representative of likely voters by age, gender, education, race, geography, and recalled presidential vote. The survey was conducted in English. The margin of error associated with the sample size is ±3 percentage points. Results for subgroups of the sample are subject to increased margins of error. Partisanship reflected in tabulations is based on self-identified party affiliation, not partisan registration. For more information please visit dataforprogress.org/our-methodology/