A strong majority of Americans — 74 percent — believe that unelected officials, the Deep State, are manipulating national policy, according to the latest Monmouth University poll.
The results, according to Monmouth's survey:
- 60 percent overall say appointed officials have too much sway in U.S. policy.
- 59 percent of Republicans say those unelected officials have too much sway.
- 59 percent of Democrats believe the same thing.
- 62 percent of Independents say the same thing.
- 26 percent overall believe that there's a right balance of power between elected and unelected officials.
"We usually expect opinions on the operation of government to shift depending on which party is in charge. But there's an ominous feeling by Democrats and Republicans alike that a 'Deep State' of unelected operatives are pulling the levers of power," wrote Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute.
The survey found that just 37 percent of people are at least somewhat familiar with the term "Deep State," but that once it's described to them, 74 percent overall believe the structure exists, according to Monmouth.
Again, there's agreement across party lines that the Deep State exists; more than 7 in 10 in each party believe in its existence.
However, Republicans (31 percent) and independents (33 percent) lead Democrats (just 19 percent) in the belief that the Deep State "definitely exists," according to the survey.
"Anxiety about a possible 'Deep State' is prevalent in both parties, but each has key constituent groups who express even greater concerns about the potential for government overreach," said Murray.
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