US President Joe Biden‘s popularity has seen a dip amid new COVID cases in the country, a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research has found. About 54% of Americans approve of the president’s job performance, which is down slightly from 59% last month. 

This dip can be attributed to his handling of the coronavirus pandemic. In July, 66% of Americans approved of his handling of the crisis; now, that number has fallen to 54%. The dip also coincides with other storm clouds gathering over his presidency, most notably the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan as US troops withdraw and the Taliban take full control of the country.

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The poll, conducted August 12-16, shows Americans about evenly divided over Biden’s handling of foreign policy (47% approve, 51% disapprove) and national security (52% approve, 46% disapprove).

Biden’s advisers, however, believe that his presidency is likely to rise or fall on his handling of the pandemic. In summer, the White House backed the lifting of public health restrictions and encouraging vaccinated Americans to enjoy a return to normalcy this summer. Polling showed Biden being applauded for his approach to the pandemic. 

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However, some of the support has gone away as Biden asked Americans to get vaccinated and has put in place vaccine requirements where he can, for federal workers and the military.

Resistance to the COVID vaccine has proven stubborn, largely in more conservative parts of the country that are now experiencing startling increases in COVID-19 cases.

“I think a lot of that is out of his hands. If he gets too dictatorial, there will be a lot more blowback,” said Judy Kunzman, 75, a Democrat from Middletown, Pennsylvania. 

(With inputs from Associated Press)