A new Gallup poll revealed that American’s approval of the Secret Service has reached a 10-year low. The agency’s approval rating dropped by more than 20 points in the most recent survey. It was conducted in September before the second assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, but about two months after the first attempt.
The survey indicates a significant decline in public opinion of the Secret Service. Only 8% of Americans rated the agency as “excellent,” while 24% considered it “good.” Additionally, 25% described the agency’s performance as “fair,” and 36% said it was performing poorly.
Gallup noted that such a sharp decline in public trust of a federal agency occurred only a handful of times in the pollster’s history. The Secret Service’s 23-point approval rating drop is comparable to the largest decreases recorded for any government agency. For context, the CDC’s approval fell by 24 points between 2019 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Federal Reserve’s rating dropped 23 points in 2009 following the Great Recession.
The recent decline in public opinion follows the July 13 assassination attempt on Trump. The shooting raised concerns about security lapses and prompting a change in leadership at the agency, including the resignation of its director. Congressional hearings and investigations into the agency’s protocols and staffing are also ongoing.
While there is bipartisan concern over the Secret Service’s ability to protect, the sentiment is stronger among Republicans. Only 20% of adults identifying as Republicans gave the agency a positive rating, its lowest figure ever recorded by Gallup for this group. Democrats’ approval rating stands at 47%, an 18-point drop from the previous year.
Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe announced last week that disciplinary action would be taken against personnel responsible for security failures at the Butler, Pennsylvania, rally where the first assassination attempt occurred. The scrutiny surrounding the agency intensified recently after a suspect was found hiding in bushes with a gun at Trump’s golf course on Sunday, Sept. 15.
