Poll: Majority backs Syria strikes

More than half of U.S. adults approve of President Trump authorizing recent a missile strike in Syria in response to a chemical attack on civilians, according to a new poll.

Fifty-seven percent of respondents in a CBS News survey out Monday supports the military operation. Forty-five percent of respondents called the reported use of deadly gas by Syrian government forces “immoral” and a direct threat to the U.S.

Pollsters also found that 70 percent believe Trump requires authorization from Congress before pursuing additional action in Syria.

{mosads}Few Americans desire U.S. military involvement in Syria beyond airstrikes, however, with 18 percent supporting the use of ground troops.

Trump’s approval stands at 43 percent following the April 7 strike, with 49 percent disapproving of his performance in office.

The U.S. conducted a missile strike in Syria last week in response to a chemical attack that killed dozens of civilians, including a number of children.

The Pentagon said warships fired 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles at Shayrat Air Base near the Syrian city of Homs, which was reportedly the origin of the deadly gas strike two days earlier.

U.S. and Western officials have blamed forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad for the April 5 chemical attack, which has provoked global outcry. 

CBS News conducted its latest survey of 1,006 adults via cellphone and landline telephone interviews from April 7 to 9. It has a 4 percentage point margin of error.