Quick Hit:

A new Gallup poll reveals that public support for the U.S. Secret Service has plunged by 23 percentage points following two assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump.

Key Details:

• The significant drop in confidence stems from a July incident in Pennsylvania, where a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally, injuring Trump and others. Internal reviews found serious security lapses, including failure to monitor rooftops and detect a drone.
• Confidence in the Secret Service has plummeted among both Republicans and Democrats, with support falling by 20 points among GOP voters and 18 points among Democrats.
• The agency has faced increased strain as threats against political figures continue to rise, putting the Secret Service in a more challenging position than ever.

Diving Deeper:

Public confidence in the U.S. Secret Service has taken a major hit, with a new Gallup poll showing a 23-percentage-point drop in approval following two attempts on former President Donald Trump’s life. The most significant of these incidents occurred in July at a Pennsylvania rally, where a gunman grazed Trump's ear, wounded two others, and killed a rallygoer. Investigations revealed multiple security failings, including the agency’s inability to cover rooftops and detect a drone near the rally.

The fallout from the event is evident in the poll’s findings, which show a bipartisan drop in confidence. Republicans and independents leaning toward the GOP saw the sharpest decline, but support among Democrats also tumbled. The agency’s favorability is now at its lowest in years, and it mirrors declines seen in other federal agencies like the CDC during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Secret Service’s challenges are further compounded by a rise in threats against political figures, with lawmakers acknowledging that the agency is "stretched thin." Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.) recently stated that the current threat environment is at historic highs. The Department of Homeland Security is now pushing for budget increases and reforms to address these growing challenges, while a bipartisan task force prepares for hearings on the Pennsylvania shooting later this week.