A majority of Americans think unelected federal bureaucrats wield too much influence over national policy and believe in the existence of a “deep state,” according to a new poll.
The latest Monmouth University Poll, released Monday, found that 60 percent of Americans think unelected or appointed government officials have too much power over the direction of federal policy.
Just 13 percent of Americans reported being very familiar with the term deep state, which refers to the deeply entrenched federal employees who work in the intelligence community and executive branch and are trying to undermine President Trump’s agenda.
Twenty-four percent said they are “somewhat familiar” with the term.
But 74 percent said they think an apparatus in which bureaucrats and military officials “secretly manipulate or direct national policy” exists in the nation’s capital, including 27 percent who think such a concept “definitely exists,” and 47 percent who said it “probably exists.”
Just 1 in 5 Americans said this concept of the deep state doesn’t exist.
“We usually expect opinions on the operation of government to shift depending on which party is in charge. But there’s an ominous feeling by Democrats and Republicans alike that a ‘Deep State’ of unelected operatives are pulling the levers of power,” said Patrick Murray, director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute.
Many adults also believe the U.S. government is conducting widespread monitoring of U.S. citizens and are fearful the government is invading their privacy.
Eight in 10 think the federal government is monitoring or spying on U.S. citizens. Fifty-three percent believe this activity is widespread, while 29 percent think the monitoring is going on, but is not widespread.
The Monmouth University Poll of 803 adults was conducted from March 2 to March 5. The results have a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent.
