Research shows New Yorkers and the nation at large do not trust the federal government. A new Partnership for Public Service poll found distrust in government is at 56%, up from 47% last year.
It is not uncommon, as polls show trust in government has declined since it was first studied in the 1960s. However, it does fluctuate between presidencies.
Paul Hitlin, senior research manager for the Partnership for Public Service and the report’s author, said there is a blurred line between government and electoral politics.
“Politics and elected officials are broadly unpopular, particularly Congress. So, that’s one challenge people in the government have, is to have the public understand the federal government is much greater than elected officials,” Hitlin explained.
People do have high opinions of civil servants and their interactions with the federal government, whether it is renewing a passport or going through an airport security checkpoint. Hitlin noted trust can be built back by having the government better explain what it does for the American people amid broader transparency efforts.
The poll showed people feel the government is wasteful, which is up to 75% from 61% last year, yet people also feel the government is more accountable, a finding which has held steady.
Though Hitlin believes the issue needs to be studied further, he posited a few reasons for the increase.
“It may be some of the work the Trump administration has done with DOGE. It may be that the public has learned more about what federal agencies do and the importance of civil servants, as some have left the government,” Hitlin outlined.
The poll showed the number of Americans who think the government is corrupt has held steady since 2021. In the past six years, the number has ranged between 67% and 74%. Other polls show most Americans believe corruption is a big problem in government and politics, while others show most people believe President Donald Trump and his family are highly corrupt.
Edwin is a reporter and producer in North Tonawanda, New York. He’s previously reported for the Niagara Gazette and the Ithaca Times. Edwin got an early start in radio interning for WBFO-88.7FM, NPR’s Buffalo affiliate. In 2018, he graduated from SUNY Buffalo State College with a B.A. in Journalism, and in 2022, graduated from Syracuse University with an M.S. in Communications.