CNN senior data reporter Harry Enten expressed surprise on Monday at the significant drop in American public trust in the FBI following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
President-elect Donald Trump announced Saturday that he will nominate former Assistant Secretary of Defense Kash Patel to head the FBI. Mr. Enten suggested on “CNN News Central” that Mr. Patel's potential reforms could resonate with the public because the agency's credibility has eroded among Americans. (Related: 'Preparing for Success': Who Will Be President Trump's Key Points on National Security)
clock:
“I think Patel has real reason to believe that the American people will agree with the changes he might make to the FBI,” Enten told CNN anchor Kate Bolduan. There's a reason why we feel we can add that.” “That's because if you look here, 'The FBI is doing a great or good job,'” he read from the screen. “Look at this trend line. Back in 2014, right? It was 59% of Americans. Then in 2019 it was 57%, and in 2022 it was 50%.”
“Look at where we are today. That's kind. Only 41% of Americans think the FBI is doing a great or good job.” “This is the lowest number in this century,” he continued. “The bottom line is that there was obviously an investigation into Donald Trump during the Trump administration, but then and after January 6th, there was a little bit of a decline. Look at that drop, from 50% to 41%. That's very kind of you, Kate Bolduan.
Mr. Bolduan then asked Mr. Enten about how Americans view the FBI “along partisan lines,” and Mr. Enten said that just over a quarter of Republicans view the FBI favorably. A diagram showing this is shown.
“Oh, now!” cried Bolduan.
“Among Republicans, whether the FBI is doing a ‘great job’ or a ‘good job’ – this is where the real fallout lies. Back in 2014, it was 62%. In 2019, it was 46%. In 2022, it was 29%. Currently, Republican support is at 26%, the lowest level this century.” “This is a decline of more than half since 2014. So we saw some of that decline during the Trump administration as well. You know, obviously he was replaced. [former FBI Director] James Comey, and 29% actually showed up after January 6th. And now it's 26%. That's a huge drop in Republicans. ”
The data reporter also noted that Democrats' confidence in the FBI rose from 54% in 2014 to 79% in 2022, and fell to 67% in 2024.
“The bottom line is that Republicans have significantly lowered their trust in the FBI, and Democrats have become more trusting, but now they trust the FBI and think the FBI is doing a 'great or good job.' “The number of people is down compared to two years ago,” he said. “And that's why the percentage of Americans overall who believe the FBI is doing a good or good job is the lowest it's been in a century.”
All content produced by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan news distribution service, is available free of charge to legitimate news publishers with large audiences. All republished articles must include our logo, reporter byline, and DCNF affiliation. If you have any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact us at licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
