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National Security Agency plaques are seen at the compound at Fort Meade, Md. The NSA was founded in 1952 but only publicly acknowledged years later, which explains its nickname "No Such Agency."

(Associated Press file photo)

A new Rasmussen Reports poll has concluded that Americans' distrust of their government is strong as ever as President Barack Obama's administration juggles several scandals in the early months of his second term.

In relation to the recent revelations that the National Security Agency is conducting a sweeping and unprecedented surveillance program of the world's telephone and Internet systems, 57 percent of those surveyed said they think government agencies will use that data to harass political opponents.

Only 30 percent said they think that possibility is unlikely and 14 were not sure.

The sentiment about the NSA surveillance programs comes amid congressional investigations into the Internal Revenue Service's targeting of conservative political groups, with questions still lingering about the possibility of White House involvement.

The nationwide survey of 1,000 likely voters took place from June 12-13 and carries a 3 percent margin of error, according to Rasmussen reports.

"Many in Washington are frustrated by the public distrust. They dream of public relations programs to overcome it," pollster Scott Rasmussen wrote in his column Friday. "What is needed, though, is for the government to change its behavior, so that it can earn the trust of the people it serves."