By Joanna Putman
Police1
WASHINGTON — As the incoming administration fills top federal positions, a new nationwide poll highlights how Americans view six major national enforcement agencies, according to a news release from CrimeChannel.org.
The survey, conducted from Sept. 24 to Oct. 6, included the FBI, Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), according to the release. The poll, sponsored by CrimeChannel.org and funded by Evan F. Trestman Philanthropies, surveyed a representative sample of 2,000 U.S. adults through live telephone and online interviews.
The FBI and DEA were rated the most favorably among the agencies, receiving 62% and 60% favorable ratings, respectively, according to the release. DHS followed with a 59% approval rating, while the DOJ stood at 54%, the ATF at 53% and ICE at 46%.
Partisan divisions emerged in the data, particularly in perceptions of the DOJ, with 68% of Democrats viewing the department favorably compared to 48% of Republicans and 38% of independents. The FBI received its highest approval from Democrats at 75%, while Republicans and independents viewed the agency less favorably, at 56% and 44%, respectively, according to the release.
ICE’s favorability remained under 50% across most demographic groups, with 53% of Republicans, 48% of Democrats and 30% of independents expressing positive views. Ratings were notably low among Millennials (41%), Hispanic women (37%) and women under 44 (39%).
When asked about agency funding, 47% of respondents supported increasing funding for ICE, followed by 42% for DHS, 41% for the DEA, 29% for the FBI, 28% for the DOJ and 27% for the ATF, according to the release.
Despite the FBI’s 62% favorability rating, fewer than 30% of respondents supported additional funding for the agency. Between 12% and 17% of respondents across all agencies wanted less funding, with 11% calling for the ATF to be abolished, followed by 10% for ICE, 9% each for the FBI and DOJ, 8% for DHS and 7% for the DEA.
The poll also found partisan differences in views on abolishing agencies. For example, 10% of Republicans favored abolishing the DOJ, compared to 6% of Democrats and 7% of independents. Similarly, more independents (10%) and Republicans (8%) wanted to abolish the FBI than Democrats (3%).
Skepticism about FBI crime statistics was also evident, with only 20% of respondents believing the data is “always accurate,” while 53% said it is “sometimes accurate” and 14% said it is “never accurate,” according to the release.