Gallup Poll: Americans Conflicted on Government’s Ability to Combat Terror

Americans are conflicted about the government’s ability to prevent terrorist attacks on the United States, and even how they should do so, according to two new Gallup polls.

According to the first poll, 67 percent of Americans responded that they have a “great deal” or a “fair amount” of confidence that the government can protect Americans from terrorism. Gallup reports that the confidence rate is the lowest they have measured since 2001.

Shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 attack, Gallup reported that 88 percent of Americans were confident in the government’s ability to prevent future attacks.

Forty-nine percent of Americans said they were “very” or “somewhat” worried they or a member of their family will become the victim of a terrorist attack. This rate is the highest Gallup has reported since 2003.

The number of Americans who think an attack is likely to occur in the next few weeks is down at 45 percent.

Yet, despite their concerns about terror, a second Gallup poll shows that 65 percent believe the government’s efforts to prevent an attack shouldn’t intrude upon civil liberties. Thirty percent believe any anti-terror efforts are justified, even at the expense of liberty.

The poll comes shortly after the president signed the USA Freedom Act into law, limiting the government’s ability to collect Americans’ phone records.