Rasmussen Poll: 52 Percent Say CIA Out to Fix Election

A 52% majority of likely U.S. voters say the CIA and other government spies may be trying to control the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, according to a new Rasmussen poll.

Of the 52% who say it’s likely the CIA and other spies are looking to fix the election, 31% consider it very likely, the survey found. Only 38% say they don’t think intelligence agencies are trying to manipulate the election, including 20% who say it’s not at all likely. Another 20% aren’t sure.

Nearly half, or 49%, of voters believe American intelligence agencies have their own political agenda, while 36% say the agencies are largely impartial. Another 16% say they aren’t sure.

The poll found that 64% of voters consider it likely that U.S. intelligence agencies are influencing news coverage of political issues, including 33% who consider it very likely. Just over a quarter, or 27%, don’t believe intelligence agencies influence news coverage, including 10% who say it’s not at all likely. Another 10% are not sure.

Still, 48% of voters have a favorable view of the CIA, including 12% who have a very favorable impression of the nation’s leading spy agency, according to the survey. Nearly 4 in 10, or 39%, have an unfavorable impression of the CIA, including 20% with a very unfavorable opinion. Just 13% say they aren’t sure.

Among Democrats, 62% view the CIA at least somewhat favorably, compared to 38% of Republicans and 42% of independents.

A 62% majority of Republicans and 53% majority of independents believe U.S. intelligence agencies have their own political agenda, while just 33% of Democrats say the same.

A full 79% of Republicans, 52% of Democrats and 61% of independents say they think it’s at least somewhat likely that American intelligence agencies are influencing news coverage of political topics.

According to the poll, Republicans and independents were most likely to think it’s at least somewhat likely that U.S. intelligence agencies are looking to control the outcome of November’s presidential election, with 69% and 49% saying so, respectively. Only 38% percent of Democrats agree.

Unsurprisingly, among voters who believe it’s very likely that the intelligence agencies are seeking to rig the election, 52% have a very unfavorable impression of the CIA.

Broken down by age, suspicion of the intelligence bureaucracy is highest among voters ages 40-64. Just 9% of voters in that age category have a very favorable opinion of the CIA, while 52% say U.S. intelligence agencies have their own political agenda.

The poll was conducted Feb. 26-28 and surveyed 979 likely U.S. voters. The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points.

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