A recent survey indicates that a significant number of Americans lack faith in the Secret Service’s ability to ensure the safety of presidential candidates in light of the shooting incident at the Trump rally in Pennsylvania three weeks ago.
The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research conducted the poll, revealing that only about 30% of Americans express strong confidence in the Secret Service’s capacity to protect presidential candidates in the run-up to this November’s election.
The survey, which included 1,143 adults, coincided with the resignation of Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle and highlighted a partisan divide on accountability regarding the Trump assassination attempt that occurred on July 13 in Butler.
Approximately 60% of Democrats attribute significant blame to the accessibility of firearms, compared to roughly one-third of independents and just 15% of Republicans. Meanwhile, about half of Republicans believe that the Secret Service holds substantial responsibility, in contrast to around 40% of Democrats and independents.
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Former President Trump is seen raising his fist after being shot in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13. (Rebecca Droke/AFP via Getty Images)
Roughly 70% of Americans believe the Secret Service bears some level of responsibility for the assassination attempt, while about half feel that local Pennsylvania law enforcement also holds significant accountability, according to the survey.
The poll further indicated that many Americans attribute “a great deal” of responsibility for the assassination attempt to the prevailing political divisions in the U.S.
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U.S. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned this month after testifying before the House Oversight and Accountability Committee about the attempted assassination of former President Trump. ( AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)
Only about a third of Americans are extremely or very confident in the Department of Homeland Security’s ability to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation into the Trump assassination attempt.
The Secret Service was initially established under the Treasury Department to combat U.S. currency counterfeiting during the Civil War. The agency began offering protection to presidents in 1894, and after the assassination of William McKinley in 1901, Congress mandated Secret Service protection for U.S. presidents.
Thomas Matthew Crooks is seen crawling on a roof moments before he attempted to assassinate former President Trump. The poll shows Democrats and Republicans are split on what bears responsibility for the shooting. (DJ Laughery. Inset: Obtained by Fox News Digital)
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In 1950, protection was expanded to include the immediate family of the president, as well as presidents-elect and vice presidents, after a White House police officer lost his life while safeguarding President Harry S. Truman. This was later extended to former presidents in 1965. Following the assassination of U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy during his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1968, Congress authorized the protection of significant presidential and vice presidential candidates.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
