Public Attitudes on US Intelligence
A 2019 survey confirms that Americans broadly support Intelligence agencies despite their limited transparency and persistent antagonism from President Trump.
2019 Survey Confirms Broad Support Despite Limited Transparency and Persistent Presidential Antagonism
Data gathered in UT-Austin’s third annual survey of public attitudes on US Intelligence confirm that most Americans believe the country’s intelligence agencies are necessary and make vital contributions to national security. This level of support does not appear to be negatively impacted by the Intelligence Community’s (IC) reduced public engagement or the continued criticism of national security agencies by President Donald Trump. An overwhelming majority of Americans regard the US intelligence agencies as effective in accomplishing their assigned missions with 8 in 10 of those surveyed crediting the IC with preventing terrorist attacks and successfully uncovering the plans of our adversaries. The IC still faces a challenge persuading Americans that it respects their privacy and civil liberties. Only half of survey respondents believe that the intelligence agencies effectively safeguard Americans’ privacy rights and civil liberties while pursuing their necessary missions. This concern is widespread even among the IC’s strongest and most knowledgeable supporters. Relatively few Americans understand the institutional framework for supervising and overseeing these powerful and secretive organizations.
