Full Breakdown
Americans View Federal Government as More Wasteful Amid Trump Administration’s Spending Cuts, Survey Finds
6/16/2026, 4:55:55 AM
Survey Findings Highlight Growing Perception of Waste
A new poll conducted by the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service between March 31 and April 5 shows a rise in the share of U.S. adults who consider the federal government wasteful. The share increased from 61 % a year earlier to 75 % in the latest survey. At the same time, 52 % of respondents oppose the Trump administration’s recent changes to federal operations, while only 39 % express support.
Context: Administration’s Push to Trim Federal Spending
President Donald Trump’s administration has promoted a policy agenda aimed at reducing discretionary spending and shrinking the federal workforce. The effort includes proposals to cut agency budgets, streamline programs, and implement hiring freezes. The Partnership for Public Service initiated the poll to gauge public reaction to these initiatives amid a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security that temporarily disrupted Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening lines.
Key Data Points
- Opposition vs. support: 52 % oppose, 39 % support the administration’s changes.
- Perceived impact on daily life: 51 % say the changes have made their lives or communities worse; 28 % say they have made things better.
- Waste perception: 75 % view the government as wasteful (up from 61 % the previous year).
- Optimism among supporters: 75 % of those who back the changes expect taxpayer savings in the form of refunds or tax cuts.
- Sample size & margin of error: 1,000 adults surveyed; ±3.1 percentage points.
Official Summary of Survey Results
The Partnership for Public Service reported that a majority of respondents now view the federal government as wasteful and are skeptical that recent reforms have improved efficiency. While a sizable minority remains hopeful about potential tax relief, the overall sentiment suggests the administration’s messaging has not convinced the public that its spending cuts are delivering tangible benefits.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics point to the timing of the survey during a DHS partial shutdown, noting that disruptions to TSA screening amplified concerns about government performance. Detractors argue that the administration’s emphasis on budget cuts overlooks service quality and that the perceived increase in waste reflects broader dissatisfaction with how reforms are being implemented.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Partnership for Public Service finds that 52% of the public oppose the administration’s changes to the federal government compared with only 39% who are in support.” — Paul Hitlin, senior manager, Partnership for Public Service
- “Far more people say the changes have made their lives or communities worse (51%) than say they have made things better (28%),” the organization wrote in the survey.” — Paul Hitlin
- “At the time of the survey, there was also a partial government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, so TSA lines were a concern,” — Paul Hitlin
- “Last year, 61% of the country said the government was wasteful,” — Paul Hitlin
- “Seventy-five percent of the people who support the Trump administration’s changes say they believe that the American taxpayer is going to see some savings, whether it’s a refund or a tax cut,” — Paul Hitlin
Implications for Policy and Public Perception
The poll underscores a widening gap between the administration’s fiscal objectives and public confidence in federal efficiency. Persistent perceptions of waste could influence upcoming congressional debates on budget allocations and may shape voter attitudes in forthcoming elections. Policymakers may need to address service disruptions and communicate cost-saving outcomes more clearly to bridge the credibility gap highlighted by the survey.
