Recent survey results indicate that a significant portion of Americans believe the US Secret Service may not have taken all necessary measures to prevent the assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump. This sentiment is particularly strong among Republicans, with 87% expressing the view that more could have been done to avert the attack.
Historically, the Secret Service has enjoyed a positive reputation among the public. In a poll conducted last fall, 55% of Americans rated the agency as excellent or good, positioning it as the second most esteemed federal agency after the US Postal Service. However, the perception of the Secret Service appears to have shifted following the recent incident involving the former President.
The survey revealed a stark divide in opinions between Democrats and Republicans regarding the Secret Service's performance. While Democrats generally held more favorable views of federal agencies, including the Secret Service, Republicans were notably critical in their assessments. This partisan discrepancy is believed to be influenced by the current Democratic administration's control of the White House.
Following the rally where the assassination attempt took place, 75% of US adults expressed the belief that the Secret Service could have taken additional steps to prevent the attack. The sentiment was particularly strong among Republicans, with 87% sharing this view, compared to 59% of Democrats. Only a quarter of the respondents believed that the agency had done everything within its power to prevent the incident.