NEW POLLING: Kash Patel’s Erratic Leadership Is Damaging the FBI’s Reputation with the American Public
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
NEW POLLING: Kash Patel’s Erratic Leadership Is Damaging the FBI’s Reputation with the American Public
As Patel Testifies Before Congress, Research Shows FBI Net Favorability Has Fallen 12 Points in Less Than a Year
WASHINGTON, D.C. — As FBI Director Kash Patel testifies before Congress, Americans Against Government Censorship (AAGC) released new polling conducted by Impact Research showing that Patel’s erratic and destructive behavior at the helm of the FBI has taken a measurable toll on the Bureau’s standing with the American public.
AAGC Executive Director Cole Leiter released the following statement about the polling:
“Kash Patel was given one of the most powerful law enforcement institutions in the world and has used it as a tool for political retribution rather than public safety. The American people can see it — and the numbers make it undeniable. This isn’t just about one man acting like a child; it’s about a deliberate effort to weaponize federal agencies against the people they are supposed to serve. When the government turns its own institutions into instruments of intimidation, the damage doesn’t stay contained — it erodes the trust that holds our democracy together. That is exactly what we are seeing happen to the FBI in real time, and Congress must hold Director Patel accountable.”
Key Findings:
Patel is deeply unpopular — and it’s not just partisan: Just 29% of Americans in congressional battleground districts view Director Patel favorably, compared to 40% who view him unfavorably — including 31% who hold a very unfavorable opinion. His negative standing is 25 points underwater among Independents and 17 points underwater among undecided voters.
The FBI’s brand is suffering: A majority of Americans (55%) still view the FBI favorably, but its net favorability has fallen 12 points in less than a year (August 2025: +32 / March 2026: +20). Among Independents, that drop is 19 points.
