72% Think NSA May Have Monitored Congress, Military Leaders, Judges

◼ Most voters think the National Security Agency is likely to have violated one of the country’s most cherished constitutional standards – the checks and balances between the three branches of government – by spying on the private communications of Congress and judges. - Rasmussen

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 72% of Likely U.S. Voters think it is at least somewhat likely that the NSA has monitored the private communications of Congress, military leaders and judges. That includes 45% who believe it is Very Likely....

This concern takes on even more significance given that ◼ 57% of voters believe it is likely the NSA data will be used by other government agencies to harass political opponents.

Most Republicans, Democrats and unaffiliated voters all think the NSA is likely to have monitored those in the other branches of the government. Most unaffiliated voters (56%) and those in the GOP (50%) consider it Very Likely. Thirty-two percent (32%) of those in President Obama’s party (32%) share that view.

Not that voters have much confidence in any branch of the government now. Just 30% “trust the president, the Executive branch, Congress and federal judges to make sure the [surveillance] program is abiding by the Constitution.” Despite the president’s assurance that "nobody is listening to your telephone calls," 68% believe it is likely that "government agencies are listening in on private conversations of American citizens.”

◼ Plus: GALLUP: 74% of Americans Think IRS Scandal Deserves More Investigation. 69 % think that about Benghazi. - Gallup via Instapundit