Fewer than one-third of U.S. adults now rate the job performance of the Secret Service as “excellent” or “good,” according to the latest Gallup survey, representing a historic low for the agency responsible for protecting political leaders.
Released on Monday, the survey reveals that 36 percent of respondents rated the agency’s performance as poor, while only 32 percent considered it excellent or good. Additionally, 25 percent rated the performance as “only fair.” This marks the first time in a decade that more Americans viewed the agency’s performance negatively than positively.
The survey, conducted largely before the second apparent assassination attempt on former President Trump on September 15, shows a significant 23-point decline from the previous year, when 55 percent rated the agency’s performance positively. Following the initial attempt, which occurred at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, and involved a gunman who grazed Trump’s ear with a bullet, the Secret Service faced intense scrutiny and its director resigned amid public outcry.
An internal review revealed “multiple operational and communications failures,” highlighting gaps in planning and coordination with local law enforcement.
The recent drop in approval for the Secret Service has been compared to other historical declines in confidence for federal agencies, such as the CDC and the Federal Reserve during times of crisis.
The survey, conducted from September 3 to 15, included 1,007 U.S. adults and has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.
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