Frustration remains the most common feeling Americans have toward the federal government—but anger is rising fast, especially among Democrats, according to new data from the Pew Research Center.
As of late September, 49% of U.S. adults say they feel frustrated with the government. Another 26% say they feel angry, while only 23% say they are basically content. The survey of 3,445 adults was conducted just before a 43-day federal government shutdown began on October 1.
Democrats’ anger hits historic high
Pew’s data shows a sharp surge in Democratic anger:
- 44% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents now say they are angry with the federal government—the highest level of anger ever recorded for either party since the question was first asked in 1997.
- Just 8% say they feel content.
- 47% say they feel frustrated.
This marks a major increase from the Trump administration, when Democratic anger peaked at 34%. Pew notes that the partisan gap in emotional responses is wider now than at any point in nearly three decades of tracking.
Republicans feel more content, less angry
Republicans, meanwhile, are showing the opposite trend:
- 40% say they feel content with the federal government—the highest GOP contentment since George W. Bush’s first term.
- 50% say they’re frustrated.
- Only 9% report feeling angry, down sharply from peaks under the Obama and Biden administrations, when GOP anger hit 38% and 35%, respectively.
Emotions reflect party control of the White House
These emotional shifts closely mirror which party holds the presidency. Both Democrats and Republicans tend to report more trust and satisfaction when their party is in power.
For example:
- Trust among Democrats has dropped to just 9%, an all-time low.
- Republican trust sits at 26%, similar to levels seen during Trump’s first term and more than double what it was a year ago.
Pew researchers say frustration has remained consistently high regardless of party in control—but anger and contentment swing widely depending on who occupies the Oval Office.
A polarized political climate
These findings come amid broader concerns about rising political division, declining public trust, and increasing threats of political violence. Pew’s data highlights not only a fractured political landscape but also deepening emotional divides between parties.
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