Multiple indicators show a decline in the health of America’s democracy in 2025
Most Americans say democracy in the United States used to be a good example for other countries to follow but has not been in recent years.
Trust in Government
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Trust in Government
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Public Trust in Government: 1958-2025
While trust in government has been low for decades, the current measure is one of the lowest in the nearly seven decades since the question was first asked by the National Election Study, and it is lower than it was last year (22%).
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Favorable views of Supreme Court remain near historic low
Half of Americans currently hold an unfavorable opinion of the Supreme Court, while roughly as many view the court favorably.
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Republicans’ Views of Justice Department, FBI Rebound as Democrats’ Views Shift More Negative
The U.S. Postal Service, Park Service, Weather Service and NASA are viewed favorably by Republicans and Democrats, while views of ICE are deeply polarized.
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5 facts about Americans’ views of government
The public has long been divided over the role of government, but on certain issues there is bipartisan agreement that government should play a major role.
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Most Americans say it would be ‘too risky’ to give presidents, including Trump, more power
Roughly two-thirds of U.S. adults (65%) say it would be “too risky” to give Trump more power to deal directly with many of the nation’s problems.
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Confidence in federal civil servants remains far lower among Republicans than Democrats
Overall, a slim majority of Americans (55%) express a great deal or fair amount of confidence in federal career employees, while 44% have little or no confidence.
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Americans’ Views of Government’s Role: Persistent Divisions and Areas of Agreement
Most Biden supporters favor a bigger government with a strong social safety net. Trump backers generally take the opposing view.
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Most Black Americans Believe U.S. Institutions Were Designed To Hold Black People Back
Those who experienced racial discrimination are more likely to say these institutions intentionally or negligently harm Black people.
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More than 80% of Americans believe elected officials don’t care what people like them think
More than 80% of Americans believe elected officials don’t care what people like them think.
