According to a recent poll conducted by the Washington Post and the University of Maryland, it has been found that the belief in Joe Biden's legitimacy as the president of the United States has decreased among American adults. The poll indicates that 62% of US adults still believe that Biden's win in the 2020 election was legitimate, which is a decline from the 69% who held this belief in December 2021.

In contrast, the poll reveals that 36% of respondents do not accept Biden's win as legitimate. This finding comes as the nation approaches the third anniversary of the January 6 attack on Congress, which was incited by former president Donald Trump in an attempt to overturn his defeat by Biden. Despite being impeached for inciting an insurrection, Trump was acquitted due to the loyalty of enough Senate Republicans.

It is noteworthy that Colorado and Maine have taken steps to prevent Trump from running for state or national office under section three of the 14th amendment to the US constitution, a measure aimed at preventing insurrectionists from seeking political positions. Trump is expected to appeal these decisions.

The poll further highlights Trump's persistent claim that Biden's victory was a result of electoral fraud. Utilizing numerous federal and state criminal election subversion charges, as well as civil threats, Trump has managed to maintain a strong influence and significant support within the Republican party. According to the poll, only 31% of Republicans now believe in the legitimacy of Biden's win, compared to 39% in 2021.

The poll also reveals a concerning trend among Republicans, with an increasing sympathy towards the January 6 rioters and a greater likelihood of absolving Trump of any responsibility for the attack. This demonstrates the impact of Trump's messaging regarding the 2020 election and the events of January 6 on voters who already lean towards believing his claims.

Aaron Blake, a senior political reporter for the Washington Post, analyzed the poll data and concluded that it primarily indicates how effectively Trump's narrative has resonated with those who were already inclined to believe it.

As the nation reflects on the tragic events of January 6 and grapples with the ongoing division over the legitimacy of the 2020 election, it remains to be seen how these attitudes will shape the political landscape in the coming months and years.

Overall, the poll's findings shed light on the challenge of achieving a consensus on the 2020 election results and the deepening ideological divide among Americans.