A recent poll reveals that more than half of Americans rate the Secret Service's performance as "fair" or "poor" following a failed assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump.

The backlash from the incident in Pennsylvania and subsequent revelations has led to the resignation of Secret Service Chief Kimberly Cheatle and raised significant concerns about the agency's ability to protect presidential candidates, as Breitbart reports.

Majority of Americans Disapprove

The survey, conducted from July 27-30, 2024, among 1,610 U.S. adult citizens, found that 53% of respondents rated the Secret Service's job performance as "fair" (22%) or "poor" (31%). In stark contrast, only 8% of Americans thought the agency’s performance was "excellent," while 26% rated it as "good."

These numbers suggest a considerable lack of confidence among the American people regarding the Secret Service's efficacy.

Varied Sentiments Across Political Affiliations

When broken down by political affiliation, a significant disparity in opinions emerged. Among Republicans, a striking 73% rated the Secret Service's performance as "fair" or "poor." Notably, 51% of independents and 37% of Democrats shared this negative assessment. The results indicate bipartisan concern over the agency’s recent conduct.

This pattern reflects broader worries about the ability of the Secret Service to protect key political figures amidst a contentious political environment.

Confidence in Secret Service Questioned

The survey further revealed that 27% of respondents are "not at all confident" in the Secret Service's capability to safeguard presidential candidates. Meanwhile, 35% of Americans stated they are "somewhat" confident, 21% are "very" confident, and only 8% are "extremely" confident in the agency's abilities.

Among Republicans, 41% reported they are "not at all confident," reflecting heightened concern within the party. This sentiment was echoed by 30% of independents and 11% of Democrats.

Incident in Butler, Pennsylvania

The public's skepticism appears to be largely driven by the events of July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania. During this event, an attempted assassination on former President Trump tragically resulted in the death of a rally attendee.

The Secret Service has since faced significant criticism for its handling of the incident. Many basic questions surrounding the event remain unanswered, exacerbating public concern.

In response to the backlash, Secret Service Chief Kimberly Cheatle has resigned, prompting further scrutiny of the agency’s internal procedures and leadership.

Inconsistencies in Incident Report

Acting Secret Service Director Ronald Rowe testified about the circumstances of the assassination attempt, revealing a critical lapse in surveillance.

"Based on what I know right now, neither the Secret Service counter-sniper teams nor members of the former president’s security detail had any knowledge that there was a man on the roof of the AGR building with a firearm," Rowe said.

However, contradicting Rowe’s claims, a video filmed by rally attendee James Copenhaver, who was injured in the attack, showed an individual on the rooftop three minutes before the shooting began.

Chief Kimberly Cheatle Resigns

Following the assassination attempt and subsequent fallout, Kimberly Cheatle stepped down as the Secret Service Chief. Her resignation has sparked debates regarding accountability within the agency.

Acting Director Ronald Rowe's testimony attempted to address the public's concerns, but inconsistencies in the reporting have only contributed to growing doubts about the agency's proficiency.

The resignation of Cheatle, who had only been in the position since 2022, underscores the unprecedented pressures facing the Secret Service.

Public Demand for Accountability

The American public's demand for transparency and accountability from the Secret Service is at an all-time high. Many are calling for a thorough review of the agency’s operational procedures.

With only 8% of respondents rating the agency’s performance as "excellent," it is evident that the Secret Service must address these concerns to restore public confidence.

The significant number of people who are not confident in the agency's ability to protect presidential candidates highlights the urgency of reforms.