Public Opinion Shifts on Terror Threat, Government Performance and Civil Liberties Since 9/11

Recent polls show Americans now view terrorism as a lesser concern than the economy, rate government anti-terror efforts lower than after 9/11, and express mixed feelings about surveillance and privacy.

Polling conducted after the September 11 attacks has been continuously updated, revealing evolving public attitudes. In 2025, Gallup asked whether a future terrorist incident on U.S. soil worried respondents, with 40% expressing great concern, while 60% prioritized the economy as their top issue. A poll on the 10th anniversary showed roughly 70% were worried about terrorism, and the Chicago Council continues to find international terrorism viewed as a critical threat.

Confidence in the federal government's anti-terrorism performance has declined from about 90% immediately after 9/11 to roughly 70% in Pew polls between 2015 and 2022. A 2022 Economist/YouGov poll indicated mixed views on the cost-benefit of overseas military actions and domestic surveillance, though the specific 46% figure has been omitted per verification. In 2026, another Economist/YouGov survey found 57% believe surveillance has risen dramatically over the past quarter-century, with public opinion divided on the balance between security and privacy.

Earlier polls showed strong patriotic responses after the attacks, but current sentiment on national pride is low. Perceptions of leaders' ability to handle terrorism have shifted, with varying levels of trust in figures such as George W. Bush, Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump and Joe Biden across different election cycles.