Newly confirmed FBI Director Kash Patel begins his tenure with a 47% favorability rating, according to a recent national survey from Rasmussen Reports. The poll, conducted via telephone and online, reveals that 47% of likely U.S. voters hold a favorable view of Patel, with 29% expressing a very favorable opinion. In contrast, 36% of voters view Patel unfavorably, including 27% with a very unfavorable impression, while **17% remain undecided.
Patel, who was appointed as the 11th director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 2025, comes into the position amid a politically charged atmosphere surrounding law enforcement agencies. His confirmation follows a highly scrutinized nomination process, with partisan divisions playing a role in his confirmation.
Before taking the helm at the FBI, Patel had a long career in public service, primarily within the realm of national security and law enforcement. A former federal prosecutor, Patel gained significant attention for his role in the Trump administration where he served as a Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Counterterrorism at the National Security Council. He was also a key figure in the House Intelligence Committee, where his work on the controversial Russia investigation and the Steele dossier was highly publicized. Patel was instrumental in the release of certain documents that called into question the origins of the investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
He also served as chief of staff to Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff, during the final year of the Trump presidency. Patel’s outspoken criticism of the FBI and the intelligence community during this time generated significant media coverage, both supportive and critical.
Patel’s leadership and political affiliations made him a polarizing figure in Washington, D.C. His staunch defense of the Trump administration’s policies and his combative stance toward what he termed “the deep state” earned him both fervent allies and vocal critics.
Patel’s favorable start as FBI Director reflects a double-digit margin of support over opposition. His 29% “Very Favorable” rating indicates a solid core of supporters, particularly among those who view him as a figure capable of reforming the FBI and making it more aligned with conservative values. On the other hand, the 36% unfavorable rating suggests that significant portions of the electorate view Patel with skepticism, particularly among those who are critical of his past actions and affiliations.
The poll’s 17% undecided group highlights the uncertainty some voters feel about Patel’s leadership at the FBI, which remains a highly influential institution in U.S. law enforcement and national security.
By; DNU staff