Russian Investigation & Trust in Institutions, Jan 2018

A plurality of Americans (48%) perceive Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election to be fair. 28% do not think it is, and a notable 23% are unsure. By nearly three to one, Democrats (72%) are more likely than Republicans (26%) to consider the probe to be fair. In fact, half of Republicans (50%) say the investigation is not fair.

More than two-thirds of Americans (68%) think Mueller should be allowed to finish his investigation. Only 14% think he should be fired, and 18% are unsure. Bipartisan agreement exists. 76% of Democrats, 71% of independents, and 59% of Republicans think Mueller should see the investigation to its conclusion.

More than four in ten Americans (42%) have little or no knowledge of Robert Mueller. 29% of adults nationally have a positive opinion of him while 29% have an unfavorable view of him.

“Robert Mueller is not well-defined, and that makes views about the fairness of the investigation and whether it should continue tentative,” says Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.

Do Americans have faith in the country’s institutions? Overwhelmingly, residents nationally have a great deal or quite a lot of confidence in the military (87%). But, confidence wanes in relation to other institutions. Majorities of Americans have confidence in the Supreme Court (59%), church or organized religion (58%), the FBI (57%), public schools (53%), and the Courts (51%). Fewer put credence in banks (50%), organized labor (49%), the presidency (43%), big business (39%), and the Democratic Party (36%). Americans have the least amount of confidence in the media (30%), the Republican Party (29%), and Congress (25%).

Americans are more likely to trust their favorite news source (58%) than President Trump (29%). In October, 65% of Americans reported they had more faith in their preferred media outlet than in the president (26%).

Complete January 17, 2018 NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll Release of the United States
Complete January 17, 2018 NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll of the United States (Tables of Adults and Registered Voters)
Marist Poll Methodology
Nature of the Sample