By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
The FBI’s handling of the investigation into Russia’s interference in the presidential election has spurred distrust in the bureau among Republicans, at least in Texas, according to a new poll.
The poll of 1,200 registered Texas voters found that 35% of Texas Republicans have an unfavorable opinion of the FBI, while 43% have a favorable view. About 22% had no opinion.
The results surprised many GOP officials because conservatives typically have favorable opinions of law enforcement.
“I think all of this reflects the fact that almost everything connected with Donald Trump being in the White House right now is falling into an intensely partisan field” Jim Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas, which designed and analyzed the poll, told NPR.
“On a deeper level, it means one more institution that is the subject of a real crisis in faith in the general public,” Henson said. “And I think it is worrisome.”
Pollsters believe the eroding support among Republicans is the result of disparaging remarks by Donald Trump and his supporters, who have blasted the bureau by suggesting it’s on a “witch hunt” to unseat the president.
