Only one in three Americans have confidence in federal institutions, according to a report released Tuesday by the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service.
Although the survey recorded low levels of trust in the federal government and civil servants across different political and demographic affiliations, Republicans reported a dramatic increase in trust from 10 percent recorded last year to 42 percent. Only 31 percent of Democrats said they trusted the government this year.
The strongest support for the government was found among Republicans under the age of 50. Their 46 percent rate of trust is five times last year’s 9 percent. The change, the report noted, is consistent with historical patterns of trust “being higher among Americans who identify as part of the political party controlling the White House.”
“From 2021 to 2024, at least 70% of the public agreed the government was wasteful. In 2025, while still the majority view, the perception that the government is wasteful has decreased across the political spectrum — especially among Republicans and independents,” the report said.
