Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s public image has sunk to its lowest ever since the Russia investigation began a year ago, a Politico/Morning Consult poll shows.
The investigator, who has been probing allegations of collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign since May, 2017, has lost support among Republicans, Democrats and independents.
Around 36 percent of all registered voters now have a negative view of Mueller, up from 23 percent slightly over a year ago.
The biggest spike in unfavorability is among Republicans, 53 percent of whom now view the special counsel in a negative light, a 26-point bump from last July.
Democrats and independents still mostly support Mueller, but a record 24 percent and 33 percent respectively now view him negatively.
President Trump leveled scathing attacks on the probe as it passed its one-year anniversary last month. His legal team had urged Trump to let the investigation run its course, telling him it would be concluded last December. However, the president’s frustration with the probe has mounted, especially as it has dragged on past the one-year mark.
The president has called the probe of his 2016 campaign a “hoax” and a “witch hunt,” and questioned the constitutionality of the investigation.
Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Paul Ryan also expressed hope Mueller would “wrap it up” soon.
Five people have pleaded guilty to charges brought by Mueller, who has expanded the scope of the probe and indicted 18 people and companies.
As for the investigation itself, trust in both President Trump and Mueller’s honesty has decayed.
About 40 percent of voters think the probe has been conducted unfairly while 38 percent say it is fair.
However, 48 percent of voters think Trump has tried to obstruct the investigation.
In addition, a majority of 59 percent, think Trump should not pardon himself, something the president has said he can do lawfully.
The poll was conducted June 7 to 10 and surveyed 1,994 registered voters.