A Gallup poll has found that a record high one-fifth of Americans have no confidence in the US government to protect against terrorism. The number of people lacking confidence is significantly higher among Democrats (36%) than Republicans (8%). The share of Americans who are confident in the government's ability to prevent terror attacks is tied for a record low at 55%. The poll was released as the country prepares to mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-06,
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same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
According to Gallup polling, 20% of Americans lack complete confidence in the US government's ability to prevent future terror attacks, a record high. This number has increased from 12% in 2021 and an all-time low of 2% immediately after the *Sept. 11, 2001* terrorist attacks. The 55% of Americans who do feel confident in the government's ability to protect citizens is also tied for a record low. There is a significant partisan divide on this issue, with 36% of Democrats expressing no confidence in the federal government compared to only 8% of Republicans. This polling data is being released as the US approaches the 25th anniversary of *Sept. 11, 2001*.
Written for “Terrorism Confidence Crisis” on 2026-09-07,
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Leaning score -0.35 for article 5556 (high confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-09-06
One-fifth of Americans say they have no confidence whatsoever in the US government to protect the public from future acts of terrorism, a record high, according to Gallup polling.
uncertain
they → say → polling
Just 12% said the same in 2021, and only 2% said so immediately following the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, when Gallup first started asking the question.
asserted
Gallup → say → question
Democrats (36%) are much more likely than Republicans (8%) to lack any confidence in the federal government to guard against terrorism.
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Democrats → lack → terrorism
The share of Americans who feel confident the government will protect citizens, specifically, from terror attacks is also tied for a record low, at 55%.
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government → feel → %
The polling is being released a week before the US marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11, with annual celebrations at the Pentagon and in New York City and Shanksville, Pa.
President Donald Trump will attend the ceremony at the Pentagon, rather than joining other former presidents in New York.
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Trump → release → York
