If the government or media sells enough fear to the US populace, how likely is legislation surrendering rights in the name of safety to happen in the future?

An attack happens at a Federal Building, resort, wherever, might be overseas, worse if on US soil, then the media or the government says to the populace they can keep John Q safe if they have more discretionary options to combat terror. In the future if more robust legislation like the Patriot act, but further reaching, who can reign it in or control it if it is ran secretly? If you can be whisked away secretly (to keep the public safe of course), not reported to anyone, not booked, no access to attorneys, etc. similar to what people said they experienced in Chicago, even if you were done dirty, how can you get any recourse because in essence they (the government branch having you in custody) might not even officially exist. With some of those who pay attention being fed a good dose of fear, how easy would it be for the government to strip citizens of rights as necessary to keep them safe if they can get the portion of the populace watching to buy it?