Here’s how a growing number of Republicans appear to feel.
A surprising new poll is raising eyebrows inside Republican circles as support for FBI Director Kash Patel begins to weaken among GOP voters.
While most Republicans still support Patel, fresh numbers suggest frustration may be quietly growing within President Donald Trump’s base as controversy continues to surround the FBI chief.
The shift has sparked new questions about whether Patel’s rocky headlines could eventually become a political headache for the Trump administration.
New Poll Shows Cracks Forming
According to a new Quinnipiac University poll, 67 percent of Republicans approve of Patel’s performance as FBI director.
At first glance, that may sound solid.
But the bigger story is what happened underneath the surface.
Republican disapproval of Patel jumped dramatically — climbing from just 10 percent last year to 18 percent now. Meanwhile, his overall support slipped slightly from 70 percent to 67 percent.
That combination caused Patel’s net approval rating among Republicans to fall sharply.
For a figure once viewed as one of Trump’s strongest loyalists, the change is drawing attention from political observers and conservative voters alike.
Why Some Republicans Are Growing Concerned
The polling decline comes as Patel faces mounting public scrutiny over several high-profile controversies.
One issue involved reports surrounding an official visit to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, where Patel allegedly participated in a VIP snorkeling excursion near the USS Arizona Memorial.
Critics argued the outing appeared inappropriate given the historic importance of the site and the memory of the Americans who died there.
The FBI strongly rejected accusations of misconduct, saying the visit was part of official government engagement and not a recreational event.
Patel has also generated headlines after footage surfaced showing him celebrating alongside the U.S. men’s Olympic hockey team following their championship victory.
While supporters viewed the moment as patriotic and harmless, critics argued the FBI director should maintain a more reserved public image.
Additional allegations regarding Patel’s professional conduct were later reported by media outlets including The Atlantic. Patel has denied the accusations and challenged several claims publicly.
Lowest Ratings Inside Trump’s Team
The Quinnipiac survey also revealed another warning sign for Patel.
Among senior Trump administration officials tested in the poll, Patel received the weakest ratings overall.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio performed significantly better with Republican voters, posting an 85 percent approval rating.
Vice President J.D. Vance followed closely behind at 83 percent approval.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also outperformed Patel among GOP voters.
Even though Patel still maintains majority support, his numbers now place him at the bottom of Trump’s top administration officials tested in the survey.
Trump Supporters Remain Divided
Despite the decline, there is currently no indication President Trump plans to remove Patel from his position.
Many conservatives continue to view Patel as a fighter willing to challenge the Washington establishment and reform federal law enforcement agencies.
Others, however, worry that constant controversy and media attention could become a distraction at a critical time for the administration.
For now, Patel remains firmly in charge of the FBI.
But if Republican support continues to slide, pressure from inside the GOP could become harder for the White House to ignore.
As the 2026 political battle intensifies, many conservatives will be watching closely to see whether Patel can rebuild confidence within Trump’s base — or whether calls for change grow even louder.