Part 2/10:
The skepticism towards the FBI has seen a marked decline in public opinion. As indicated by recent polls, the percentage of Americans who believe the FBI is performing well has drastically decreased over the years. While in 2014, about 59% of the public viewed the FBI positively, that number has plummeted to just 41% today—the lowest in this century. Notably, among Republicans, the approval rating has dwindled even more sharply, from 62% in 2014 down to a mere 26%. Such numbers suggest an increasing belief that the FBI may have become a tool of political manipulation, particularly evident in how it has treated Trump and his associates.