A recent poll conducted by the Pew Research Center revealed that less than a quarter of the United States population has a positive opinion about the federal government. The survey, which was part of the American Trends Panel survey, found that only 22% of U.S. adults hold a favorable view of the federal government. This marks a 10% drop from the previous data collected at the end of 2022 and reflects a significant decline in public perception of government at the federal level.
The survey also noted a shift in approval ratings based on political affiliation, with approximately 32% of Democrats and “Democratic-leaning independents” holding a positive view of the federal government, marking a 17-point drop in approval since May 2022. In contrast, only 11% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents view the federal government favorably, a figure that has remained steady since 2022, but is significantly lower than the 41% approval documented in 2019 under the Trump administration.
While sentiment towards the federal government is overwhelmingly negative, respondents reported more positive feelings towards state and local governance. Approximately 50% of respondents reported a favorable opinion of their state government, compared to 49% who reported an unfavorable view. Similarly, approximately 61% of respondents reported a favorable view of their local government, with political party affiliation having less influence on local approval compared to state or federal levels.
The American Trends Panel survey was conducted from Nov. 27 to Dec. 3, 2023, and surveyed 5,203 U.S. adults on a range of political, cultural, and social issues. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 1.8%. Overall, the data suggests a significant decline in public perception of the federal government, with approval ratings at an all-time low and sharp divisions along party lines. However, sentiment towards state and local governments remains relatively more positive, indicating that Americans may have more trust and confidence in governance at the local and state levels.
The findings of the poll reflect a broader trend of declining trust in government institutions, particularly at the federal level. Factors such as political polarization, perceived inefficiency, and partisan gridlock may be contributing to this negative perception of the federal government. The data also highlights the impact of political affiliation on public opinion, with Democrats showing a greater decline in approval ratings compared to Republicans.
Despite the low favorability ratings towards the federal government, Americans appear to have more positive views towards state and local governance. This could indicate a greater sense of trust and confidence in institutions that are perceived to be closer to the people and more responsive to their needs. Moving forward, policymakers and government officials may need to address public concerns and work towards rebuilding trust and accountability in order to improve overall satisfaction and approval ratings.
