{"id":2044876,"date":"2023-09-26T09:41:02","date_gmt":"2023-09-26T13:41:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/majority-of-likely-voters-fear-america-is-becoming-a-police-state-poll-indicates\/"},"modified":"2023-09-26T09:43:11","modified_gmt":"2023-09-26T13:43:11","slug":"majority-of-likely-voters-fear-america-is-becoming-a-police-state-poll-indicates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/majority-of-likely-voters-fear-america-is-becoming-a-police-state-poll-indicates\/","title":{"rendered":"Most likely voters fear America is becoming a police state, poll shows."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmajority-of-likely-voters-fear-america-is-becoming-a-police-state-poll-indicates%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2044876&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>More than 70% of American Voters Concerned About the Rise of a Police State<\/h2>\n<p>A recent national\u200b poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports reveals that over\u2064 70% of American voters are worried about the United States transforming into a police state characterized by government tyranny. This includes concerns about mass surveillance, censorship, ideological indoctrination, and the targeting of political opponents.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<blockquote>\n<p>&#8220;More Republicans (62 percent) than Democrats (34 percent) or unaffiliated voters (43 \u200bpercent) are very concerned that America is becoming a police \u2064state,&#8221; Rasmussen Reports wrote in a news release.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Similarly, more Republicans (45 percent) than Democrats (17 percent) or unaffiliated voters (22 \u2064percent) strongly agree\u200c that the FBI\u2063 is a danger to the freedom and security of law-abiding Americans.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<p>The survey, conducted by Rasmussen and Pulse Opinion \u2064Research, involved nearly 1,000 likely voters between September 14 and September 18. The poll \u2063has a margin of error of +\/- 3 percent with a 95 percent\u200c confidence level.<\/p>\n<div class=\"shortcode\">\n<div class=\"border-comp-divider mb-4 mr-4 w-full max-w-[500px] border px-5 py-4 text-[16px] leading-[20px] text-[#262626] md:float-left\" id=\"in_article_related_stories\">\n<h2 class=\"mb-3 font-sans text-[16px] font-semibold uppercase leading-[19px] text-[#2F2F2F]\">Related Stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\">\n          <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/exclusive-former-special-agent-takes-a-stand-against-the-jan-6-weaponization-of-the-fbi-5212580?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3>EXCLUSIVE: Former FBI Agent Who Refused to Raid Jan. 6 Suspect Warns\u200d of \u2062Agency&#8217;s Weaponization<\/h3>\n<p>          <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">4\/23\/2023<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\">\n        <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/exclusive-former-special-agent-takes-a-stand-against-the-jan-6-weaponization-of-the-fbi-5212580?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/a>\n      <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"mb-4 flex gap-2\">\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\">\n          <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/in-depth-whistleblower-retribution-worse-than-combat-tours-suspended-fbi-agent-says-5299917?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3>IN-DEPTH: Whistleblower Retribution Worse Than Combat Tours, Suspended FBI Agent Says<\/h3>\n<p>          <\/a>\n        <\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">5\/31\/2023<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"shrink-0 basis-[120px]\">\n        <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/in-depth-whistleblower-retribution-worse-than-combat-tours-suspended-fbi-agent-says-5299917?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/a>\n      <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>According to Rasmussen Reports, the concerns expressed by voters \u200bare\u200b not limited to\u200c a single incident, \u200csuch as\u200b the FBI raid on former President Donald Trump&#8217;s Mar-a-Lago estate in August 2022. Instead, they \u200dreflect a broader issue.<\/p>\n<p>Stephen Friend, a\u2062 former FBI special agent and whistleblower, stated, &#8220;Over \u200cthe \u2064past few years, Americans have witnessed the FBI \u200dtarget pro-life activists and parents speaking\u200b at school board meetings while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/majority-of-likely-voters-fear-america-is-becoming-a-police-state-poll-indicates\/\" title=\"Most likely voters fear America is becoming a police state, poll shows.\">simultaneously ignoring violent riots<\/a> throughout 2020, encouraging online censorship, and obstructing Congress&#8217; oversight efforts.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>In the Rasmussen poll, 50% of voters agreed with the statement that &#8220;The FBI is a danger to the freedom \u200dand security of law-abiding Americans,&#8221; with 28% strongly agreeing. On the other hand, 45%\u2063 disagreed, including 26%\u2062 who strongly disagreed.<\/p>\n<p>Mr. Friend emphasized the importance of the \u2064FBI&#8217;s reputation, stating, &#8220;The fact that an agency that enjoyed near-universal approval relatively recently has lost the support \u200bof half\u200c the\u200b country is a testament to both the \u2064resilience of its public perception\u2064 and how far it has fallen.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-figure\" style=\"margin-left:0;margin-right:0;max-width:1200px\">\n<figure style=\"width:640px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto\" class=\"aligncenter\"><figcaption>Former FBI Special Agent Stephen Friend, shown as a member of the FBI&#8217;s Omaha \u200cSWAT team \u2064in late 2020. (Courtesy of Stephen Friend)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Mr. Friend, who was suspended without pay from the FBI on \u2062September \u200b19, \u20622022, after expressing\u200b constitutional \u2064concerns about a planned FBI SWAT \u2063team raid, suggested significant changes\u200d to rein in the bureau.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\">\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cShort of abolishing the FBI, one potential solution is for Congress to defund the 1811 criminal investigator \u2063position\u2014the special agent,\u201d Mr. Friend said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis forces the FBI to partner with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-votes-on-major-security-upgrade-will-fine-members-5k-for-bypassing-metal-detectors\/\" title=\"House Votes On Major Security Upgrade, Will Fine Members K For Bypassing Metal Detectors\">local law enforcement agencies<\/a>, gain their approval to conduct appropriate investigations, and \u200ccross-deputize more state and local peace officers to bestow them with federal\u200c arrest powers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis creates\u200d a bulwark in which\u200c a county sheriff can direct FBI resources to combat legitimate \u2063criminal activity in his area rather than serve as a bystander while \u200cFBI headquarters continually utilizes its quota system for the \u2064number and types of cases special agents must\u2064 affect,\u201d Mr. Friend said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is not \u2018defunding the police.\u2019 Instead, it is\u200d empowering local law\u200b enforcement.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-figure\" style=\"margin-left:0;margin-right:0;max-width:1200px\">\n<figure style=\"width:640px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto\" class=\"aligncenter\"><figcaption>Suspended FBI special agent Garret O\u2019Boyle (L), former FBI \u200dagent Steve Friend (C), and suspended FBI agent\u2063 Marcus Allen (R) during a hearing in Washington \u200bon\u2064 May 18, 2023. (Alex\u200c Wong\/Getty \u2062Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Issues raised by Jan. 6 defendants, such as the use of excessive force by heavily armed FBI agents, \u2062refusal to produce warrants, physical abuse during arrests, and the pointing of laser-guided rifles at suspects and their children, have sparked further debate.<\/p>\n<p>Some defendants in Texas have also questioned \u200cthe \u2064violation of state sovereignty when FBI tactical teams conducted raids without involving local\u2063 authorities.<\/p>\n<p>Mr. Friend believes these\u200c cases warrant a thorough examination and debate, stating, &#8220;Federal law enforcement regularly \u2062intrudes\u200c upon local criminal investigations to claim credit and positive publicity.\u200b The FBI&#8217;s social media\u200b accounts are riddled with glowing press statements concerning the bureau&#8217;s involvement in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/court-rejects-braggs-request-for-restraining-order-against-jordan\/\" title=\"Court Rejects Bragg\u2019s Request for Restraining Order Against Jordan\">local criminal matters<\/a>, which are a waste\u200c of American&#8217;s tax dollars and arguably violative of state sovereignty.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> What are some potential consequences of the FBI focusing on its original mission of investigating federal crimes?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Mr. Friend said. &#8220;This would \u200bforce the bureau to focus on \u2063its original mission of investigating federal crimes and \u2064eliminate the potential for politicization and abuse \u200dof power.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<p>It is clear that the concerns about the rise of\u2063 a police state in the United States\u2063 are not unfounded. The survey conducted by Rasmussen Reports \u2064highlights the significant worry among American voters, with a majority expressing their fears about government tyranny, mass \u2064surveillance, censorship,\u2064 ideological\u2062 indoctrination,\u2062 and the targeting of political opponents.<\/p>\n<p>The divide between Republicans and Democrats on this issue is also evident, with a higher percentage of Republicans expressing\u200d concern about the direction of the \u200ccountry. However, it\u200b is important to note that these concerns are not limited\u2062 to\u2062 a single incident but \u2063rather reflect a broader \u200cissue that has\u200b eroded public trust in government\u200d institutions such as the FBI.<\/p>\n<p>Former FBI\u200b special agent and whistleblower Stephen Friend&#8217;s call for\u200b significant \u200bchanges within \u200dthe FBI\u200b underscores the need for reform. Whether it is\u2062 through defunding the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/irs-seeks-to-hire-agents-with-guns-in-all-50-states\/\" title=\"IRS Seeks To Hire Agents With Guns In All 50 States\">special agent position<\/a> or other \u200cmeasures,\u2064 addressing the concerns raised by American voters is \u200dessential to restore faith in the bureau and prevent the further erosion of civil liberties.<\/p>\n<p>As the\u200d debate around the role of law enforcement and the potential for abuses of power continues, it is crucial for policymakers and citizens alike to engage in \u200ca meaningful dialogue and work towards\u2064 solutions that uphold the principles of \u2064freedom, security, and \u2063justice for all.\u200d Only through a concerted \u200ceffort to address these concerns can\u200b we \u2062ensure that the United\u200d States remains a true\u2062 democracy, free\u200b from the threats of a \u200bpolice state.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>turning into a police state, characterized by government tyranny, mass surveillance, censorship, ideological indoctrination, and targeting of political opponents. This worry was expressed by over 70% of American voters, according to a recent Rasmussen Reports poll conducted via telephone and online survey.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":347,"featured_media":2044877,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2044876","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2044876","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/347"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2044876"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2044876\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2044877"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2044876"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2044876"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2044876"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}