Americans’ Views of Government’s Role: Persistent Divisions and Areas of Agreement
Most Biden supporters favor a bigger government with a strong social safety net. Trump backers generally take the opposing view.
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Public Trust in Government: 1958-2024
Public trust in government remains low, as it has for much of the 21st century. Roughly two-in-ten Americans say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right “just about always” (2%) or “most of the time” (21%).
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Most Black Americans Believe U.S. Institutions Were Designed To Hold Black People Back
Those who experienced racial discrimination are more likely to say these institutions intentionally or negligently harm Black people.
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More than 80% of Americans believe elected officials don’t care what people like them think
More than 80% of Americans believe elected officials don’t care what people like them think.
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Nearly three-quarters of Americans say it would be ‘too risky’ to give presidents more power
Just 24% say the country’s problems could be better solved if presidents didn’t have to worry about Congress or the courts.
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From Businesses and Banks to Colleges and Churches: Americans’ Views of U.S. Institutions
Americans overwhelmingly see small businesses as having a positive effect on the way things are going in the country. By contrast, their views of large corporations are broadly negative. And most people – including identical shares in both parties – are critical of the impact of banks and financial institutions.
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7 facts about Americans’ views of money in politics
72% of U.S. adults say that there should be limits on the amount of money individuals and organizations can spend on political campaigns.
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Americans’ Dismal Views of the Nation’s Politics
Americans’ views of politics and elected officials are unrelentingly negative, with little hope of improvement on the horizon. 65% of Americans say they always or often feel exhausted when thinking about politics. By contrast, just 10% say they always or often feel hopeful about politics.
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Favorable views of Supreme Court fall to historic low
The share of Americans with a favorable opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court has declined to its lowest point in public opinion surveys dating to 1987.
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In Divided Washington, Americans Have Highly Negative Views of Both Parties’ Leaders
Americans express highly negative views of President Joe Biden, congressional leadership in both parties and Congress more broadly. Views of the economy remain overwhelmingly negative, and there has been a sharp rise in the share who say the country cannot solve many of its important problems.
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