Following former President Donald Trump's second indictment, a recent ABC/Ipsos poll reveals a divided American public. The indictment, brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith, includes 37 federal counts related to the alleged mishandling of classified documents after Trump left office. Trump has vehemently denied the charges, characterizing the investigation as a politically motivated "witch hunt."

The poll indicates that 48% of Americans believe the charges against Trump are justified, while 35% disagree. A significant portion, 17%, remain undecided. The partisan divide is stark, with 86% of Democrats supporting the indictment compared to only 13% of Republicans. Independents are more evenly split, with 45% in favor of the indictment and 38% opposed.

The indictment alleges that Trump improperly stored classified materials in cardboard boxes among various personal items at the White House. It further claims that he displayed these documents to others on at least two occasions in 2021. Adding to the controversy, nearly half of those surveyed (47%) believe the charges are politically motivated, while 37% disagree.

The seriousness of the charges is also a point of contention. 42% of respondents consider the charges very serious, while 28% downplay their significance. Looking ahead to the 2024 presidential race, 46% believe Trump should suspend his campaign given the indictment, while 38% believe he should continue. Interestingly, both Trump and current President Joe Biden share a 31% favorability rating among voters, according to the poll.

The investigation into the handling of classified documents began in March 2022, culminating in an FBI raid on Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in August 2022, where agents seized 102 documents marked as classified. Trump's arraignment in federal court in Miami is scheduled for Tuesday. This marks his second indictment since announcing his 2024 presidential bid, the first stemming from alleged hush-money payments made during the 2016 election.

This unfolding legal saga continues to grip the nation, with public opinion sharply divided along partisan lines. The outcome of this case and its potential impact on the upcoming presidential election remain to be seen.