These surveys are next-to-useless. I do surveys for Ipsos all the time and it’s depressing how bad the questions are phrased, especially considering Gallup and Ipsos are generally highly regarded…

Gallup posted their question:

Next, I am going to read you a list of possible threats to the vital interests of the United States in the next 10 years. For each one, please tell me if you see this as a critical threat, an important but not critical threat, or not an important threat at all.

Large numbers of immigrants entering the United States illegally

So if you hold either the opinion:

“The US needs to stop illegal immigration because it impacts the safety of the US”

or

“The US needs to allow more asylum refugees in a more formalized manner because cities are having to pick up the slack and are potentially cutting back services, exacerbating local crisises”

Congratulations! Both people can bucket themselves in the “considers a threat” even though the two people backing these opinions will want completely different government action.

Consider how the “democracy” question might’ve been worded. I’m sure both a pro-Trump-election denier and someone who believes Trump/the Republican Party are a threat to democracy could easily answer the same on that part.