Public trust in the government is at one of its lowest points

In the face of one of the most polarizing moments in U.S. history, one measurement that offers insight into specific frustrations the public has is their trust in the government. In 2025, President Donald Trump’s first year of his second term, the level of trust Americans have in their government to do what they believe is right “always or most of the time” was at a significantly low point.

Chart showing public trust in government trending downward from 1960 to today.

According to survey data aggregated by Pew Research Center from a variety of news organizations, National Election Studies, and Gallup, just 17% of Americans say they trust the federal government to do what is right just about always or most of the time.