Just 17% of Americans now say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right “just about always” (2%) or “most of the time” (15%).
While trust in government has been low for decades, the current measure is one of the lowest in the nearly seven decades since the question was first asked by the National Election Study, and it is lower than it was last year (22%).
Public trust in government near historic lows
% who say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right just about always/most of the time
Note: From 1976-February 2025, the smoothed trend line represents a three-survey moving average. Data prior to 1976, and the most recent number (September 2025), are from individual polls.
Sources: Pew Research Center, National Election Studies, Gallup, ABC/Washington Post, CBS/New York Times, and CNN surveys.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Public trust in government near historic lows
% who say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right just about always/most of the time
| Date | Individual polls | Smoothed trend | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/28/2025 | Pew Research Center | 17 | 17 |
| 2/9/2025 | Pew Research Center | 17 | 19 |
| 5/19/2024 | Pew Research Center | 22 | 18 |
| 6/11/2023 | Pew Research Center | 16 | 19 |
| 5/01/2022 | Pew Research Center | 20 | 20 |
| 4/11/2021 | Pew Research Center | 24 | 21 |
| 8/2/2020 | Pew Research Center | 20 | 24 |
| 4/12/2020 | Pew Research Center | 27 | 21 |
| 3/25/2019 | Pew Research Center | 17 | 17 |
| 12/04/2017 | Pew Research Center | 18 | 18 |
| 4/11/2017 | Pew Research Center | 20 | 19 |
| 10/04/2015 | Pew Research Center | 19 | 18 |
| 7/20/2014 | CNN | 14 | 19 |
| 2/26/2014 | Pew Research Center | 24 | 18 |
| 11/15/2013 | CBS/NYT | 17 | 20 |
| 10/13/2013 | Pew Research Center | 19 | 19 |
| 5/31/2013 | CBS/NYT | 20 | 20 |
| 2/06/2013 | CBS/NYT | 20 | 22 |
| 1/13/2013 | Pew Research Center | 26 | 23 |
| 10/31/2012 | NES | 22 | 19 |
| 10/19/2011 | CBS/NYT | 10 | 17 |
| 10/04/2011 | Pew Research Center | 20 | 15 |
| 9/23/2011 | CNN | 15 | 18 |
| 8/21/2011 | Pew Research Center | 19 | 21 |
| 2/28/2011 | Pew Research Center | 29 | 23 |
| 10/21/2010 | CBS/NYT | 22 | 23 |
| 10/01/2010 | CBS/NYT | 18 | 21 |
| 9/06/2010 | Pew Research Center | 24 | 23 |
| 9/01/2010 | CNN | 25 | 23 |
| 4/05/2010 | CBS/NYT | 20 | 23 |
| 4/05/2010 | Pew Research Center | 25 | 22 |
| 3/21/2010 | Pew Research Center | 22 | 24 |
| 2/12/2010 | CNN | 26 | 22 |
| 2/05/2010 | CBS/NYT | 19 | 21 |
| 1/10/2010 | GALLUP | 19 | 20 |
| 12/20/2009 | CNN | 20 | 21 |
| 8/31/2009 | CBS/NYT | 24 | 22 |
| 6/12/2009 | CBS/NYT | 20 | 23 |
| 12/21/2008 | CNN | 26 | 25 |
| 10/15/2008 | NES | 31 | 24 |
| 10/13/2008 | CBS/NYT | 17 | 24 |
| 7/09/2007 | CBS/NYT | 24 | 24 |
| 1/09/2007 | Pew Research Center | 31 | 28 |
| 10/08/2006 | CBS/NYT | 29 | 29 |
| 9/15/2006 | CBS/NYT | 28 | 30 |
| 2/05/2006 | Pew Research Center | 34 | 31 |
| 1/20/2006 | CBS/NYT | 32 | 33 |
| 1/06/2006 | GALLUP | 32 | 32 |
| 12/02/2005 | CBS/NYT | 32 | 32 |
| 9/11/2005 | Pew Research Center | 31 | 31 |
| 9/09/2005 | CBS/NYT | 29 | 30 |
| 6/19/2005 | GALLUP | 30 | 35 |
| 10/15/2004 | NES | 46 | 39 |
| 7/15/2004 | CBS/NYT | 40 | 41 |
| 3/21/2004 | Pew Research Center | 36 | 38 |
| 10/26/2003 | GALLUP | 37 | 36 |
| 7/27/2003 | CBS/NYT | 36 | 43 |
| 10/15/2002 | NES | 55 | 46 |
| 9/04/2002 | GALLUP | 46 | 46 |
| 9/02/2002 | CBS/NYT | 38 | 40 |
| 7/13/2002 | CBS/NYT | 38 | 40 |
| 6/17/2002 | GALLUP | 44 | 43 |
| 1/24/2002 | CBS/NYT | 46 | 46 |
| 12/07/2001 | CBS/NYT | 48 | 49 |
| 10/25/2001 | CBS/NYT | 55 | 54 |
| 10/06/2001 | GALLUP | 60 | 49 |
| 1/17/2001 | CBS/NYT | 31 | 44 |
| 10/31/2000 | CBS/NYT | 40 | 38 |
| 10/15/2000 | NES | 44 | 42 |
| 7/09/2000 | GALLUP | 42 | 39 |
| 4/02/2000 | ABC/POST | 31 | 38 |
| 2/14/2000 | Pew Research Center | 40 | 34 |
| 10/03/1999 | CBS/NYT | 30 | 36 |
| 9/14/1999 | CBS/NYT | 38 | 33 |
| 5/16/1999 | Pew Research Center | 31 | 33 |
| 2/21/1999 | Pew Research Center | 31 | 31 |
| 2/12/1999 | ABC/POST | 32 | 32 |
| 2/04/1999 | GALLUP | 33 | 34 |
| 1/10/1999 | CBS/NYT | 37 | 34 |
| 1/03/1999 | CBS/NYT | 33 | 37 |
| 12/01/1998 | NES | 40 | 33 |
| 11/15/1998 | Pew Research Center | 26 | 30 |
| 11/01/1998 | CBS/NYT | 24 | 26 |
| 10/26/1998 | CBS/NYT | 26 | 28 |
| 8/10/1998 | ABC/POST | 34 | 31 |
| 2/22/1998 | Pew Research Center | 34 | 35 |
| 2/01/1998 | GALLUP | 39 | 33 |
| 1/25/1998 | CBS/NYT | 26 | 32 |
| 1/19/1998 | ABC/POST | 31 | 32 |
| 10/31/1997 | Pew Research Center | 39 | 31 |
| 8/27/1997 | ABC/POST | 22 | 31 |
| 6/01/1997 | GALLUP | 32 | 26 |
| 1/14/1997 | CBS/NYT | 23 | 27 |
| 11/02/1996 | CBS/NYT | 25 | 27 |
| 10/15/1996 | NES | 33 | 28 |
| 5/12/1996 | GALLUP | 27 | 31 |
| 5/06/1996 | ABC/POST | 34 | 29 |
| 11/19/1995 | ABC/POST | 25 | 27 |
| 8/07/1995 | GALLUP | 22 | 22 |
| 8/05/1995 | CBS/NYT | 20 | 21 |
| 3/19/1995 | ABC/POST | 22 | 20 |
| 2/22/1995 | CBS/NYT | 18 | 21 |
| 12/01/1994 | NES | 22 | 21 |
| 10/29/1994 | CBS/NYT | 22 | 22 |
| 10/23/1994 | ABC/POST | 22 | 20 |
| 6/06/1994 | GALLUP | 17 | 19 |
| 1/30/1994 | GALLUP | 19 | 20 |
| 1/20/1994 | ABC/POST | 24 | 22 |
| 3/24/1993 | GALLUP | 22 | 25 |
| 1/17/1993 | ABC/POST | 28 | 25 |
| 1/14/1993 | CBS/NYT | 24 | 25 |
| 10/23/1992 | CBS/NYT | 22 | 25 |
| 10/15/1992 | NES | 29 | 25 |
| 6/08/1992 | GALLUP | 23 | 29 |
| 10/20/1991 | ABC/POST | 35 | 35 |
| 3/06/1991 | CBS/NYT | 47 | 42 |
| 3/01/1991 | ABC/POST | 45 | 46 |
| 1/27/1991 | ABC/POST | 46 | 40 |
| 12/01/1990 | NES | 28 | 33 |
| 10/28/1990 | CBS/NYT | 25 | 32 |
| 9/06/1990 | ABC/POST | 42 | 35 |
| 1/16/1990 | ABC/POST | 38 | 38 |
| 6/29/1989 | CBS/NYT | 35 | 39 |
| 1/15/1989 | CBS/NYT | 44 | 41 |
| 11/10/1988 | CBS/NYT | 44 | 43 |
| 10/15/1988 | NES | 41 | 41 |
| 1/23/1988 | ABC/POST | 39 | 40 |
| 10/18/1987 | CBS/NYT | 41 | 43 |
| 6/01/1987 | ABC/POST | 47 | 43 |
| 3/01/1987 | CBS/NYT | 42 | 44 |
| 1/21/1987 | CBS/NYT | 43 | 43 |
| 1/19/1987 | ABC/POST | 44 | 42 |
| 12/01/1986 | NES | 39 | 44 |
| 11/30/1986 | CBS/NYT | 49 | 43 |
| 9/09/1986 | ABC/POST | 40 | 44 |
| 1/19/1986 | CBS/NYT | 42 | 44 |
| 11/06/1985 | CBS/NYT | 49 | 43 |
| 7/29/1985 | ABC/POST | 38 | 42 |
| 3/21/1985 | ABC/POST | 37 | 40 |
| 2/27/1985 | CBS/NYT | 46 | 42 |
| 2/22/1985 | ABC/POST | 43 | 45 |
| 11/14/1984 | CBS/NYT | 46 | 44 |
| 10/15/1984 | NES | 44 | 41 |
| 12/01/1982 | NES | 33 | 39 |
| 11/07/1980 | CBS/NYT | 39 | 32 |
| 10/15/1980 | NES | 25 | 30 |
| 3/12/1980 | CBS/NYT | 26 | 27 |
| 11/03/1979 | CBS/NYT | 30 | 28 |
| 12/01/1978 | NES | 29 | 31 |
| 10/23/1977 | CBS/NYT | 33 | 32 |
| 4/25/1977 | CBS/NYT | 35 | 34 |
| 10/15/1976 | NES | 33 | 36 |
| 9/05/1976 | CBS/NYT | 40 | 35 |
| 6/15/1976 | CBS/NYT | 33 | 35 |
| 3/01/1976 | GALLUP | 33 | 34 |
| 2/08/1976 | CBS/NYT | 36 | 35 |
| 12/01/1974 | NES | 36 | 36 |
| 10/15/1972 | NES | 53 | 53 |
| 12/01/1970 | NES | 54 | 54 |
| 10/15/1968 | NES | 62 | 62 |
| 12/01/1966 | NES | 65 | 65 |
| 10/15/1964 | NES | 77 | 77 |
| 12/01/1958 | NES | 73 | 73 |
Note: From 1976-February 2025, the smoothed trend line represents a three-survey moving average. Data prior to 1976, and the most recent number (September 2025), are from individual polls.
Sources: Pew Research Center, National Election Studies, Gallup, ABC/Washington Post, CBS/New York Times, and CNN surveys.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
A timeline of trust in the federal government:
1958: 73% of Americans trusted the federal government to do the right thing almost always or most of the time – when the National Election Study first asked the question.
The 1960s and 1970s: Trust in government began eroding amid the escalation of the Vietnam War. The decline continued in the 1970s with the Watergate scandal and worsening economic struggles. By 1980, only about a quarter of Americans expressed a high level of trust.
The 1980s and 1990s: Confidence in government recovered in the mid-1980s before falling again in the mid-’90s. But as the economy grew in the late 1990s, trust in government also rose.
The 2000s and 9/11: Public trust reached a three-decade high shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks but declined again quickly in the wake of the Iraq War and the financial crisis of the late 2000s.
2007 to present: The shares saying they can trust the government always or most of the time have never been higher than 30% since 2007.
Note: The September 2025 survey was conducted just prior to the federal government shutdown that ran from Oct. 1 to Nov. 12.
Trust in government higher among members of party that controls presidency
% who say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right just about always/most of the time
Sources: Pew Research Center, National Election Studies, Gallup, ABC/Washington Post, CBS/New York Times, and CNN surveys.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Trust in government higher among members of party that controls presidency
% who say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right just about always/most of the time
| Date | Democrat/Lean Dem | Republican/Lean Rep | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9/28/2025 | Pew Research Center | 9 | 26 |
| 2/9/2025 | Pew Research Center | 15 | 20 |
| 5/19/2024 | Pew Research Center | 35 | 11 |
| 6/11/2023 | Pew Research Center | 25 | 8 |
| 5/1/2022 | Pew Research Center | 29 | 9 |
| 4/11/2021 | Pew Research Center | 36 | 9 |
| 8/2/2020 | Pew Research Center | 12 | 28 |
| 4/12/2020 | Pew Research Center | 18 | 36 |
| 3/25/2019 | Pew Research Center | 14 | 21 |
| 12/04/2017 | Pew Research Center | 15 | 22 |
| 4/11/2017 | Pew Research Center | 15 | 28 |
| 10/04/2015 | Pew Research Center | 26 | 11 |
| 7/20/2014 | CNN | 17 | 11 |
| 2/26/2014 | Pew Research Center | 32 | 16 |
| 11/15/2013 | CBS/NYT | 31 | 8 |
| 10/13/2013 | Pew Research Center | 27 | 10 |
| 5/31/2013 | CBS/NYT | 30 | 8 |
| 2/06/2013 | CBS/NYT | 34 | 8 |
| 1/13/2013 | Pew Research Center | 37 | 15 |
| 10/31/2012 | NES | 29 | 16 |
| 10/19/2011 | CBS/NYT | 13 | 8 |
| 10/04/2011 | Pew Research Center | 27 | 12 |
| 9/23/2011 | CNN | 20 | 11 |
| 8/21/2011 | Pew Research Center | 25 | 13 |
| 3/01/2011 | Pew Research Center | 34 | 24 |
| 10/21/2010 | CBS/NYT | 36 | 7 |
| 10/01/2010 | CBS/NYT | 27 | 13 |
| 9/06/2010 | Pew Research Center | 35 | 13 |
| 9/01/2010 | CNN | 31 | 18 |
| 4/05/2010 | CBS/NYT | 27 | 14 |
| 3/21/2010 | Pew Research Center | 32 | 13 |
| 2/12/2010 | CNN | 34 | 18 |
| 2/05/2010 | CBS/NYT | 31 | 9 |
| 1/10/2010 | GALLUP | 23 | 16 |
| 12/20/2009 | CNN | 25 | 16 |
| 8/31/2009 | CBS/NYT | 34 | 12 |
| 6/12/2009 | CBS/NYT | 35 | 10 |
| 12/21/2008 | CNN | 30 | 22 |
| 10/15/2008 | NES | 34 | 31 |
| 10/13/2008 | CBS/NYT | 12 | 19 |
| 7/09/2007 | CBS/NYT | 18 | 31 |
| 1/09/2007 | Pew Research Center | 22 | 43 |
| 10/08/2006 | CBS/NYT | 20 | 50 |
| 9/15/2006 | CBS/NYT | 20 | 44 |
| 2/05/2006 | Pew Research Center | 20 | 53 |
| 1/20/2006 | CBS/NYT | 23 | 51 |
| 1/06/2006 | GALLUP | 20 | 44 |
| 12/02/2005 | CBS/NYT | 19 | 52 |
| 9/11/2005 | Pew Research Center | 19 | 49 |
| 9/09/2005 | CBS/NYT | 21 | 42 |
| 6/19/2005 | GALLUP | 24 | 36 |
| 10/15/2004 | NES | 35 | 61 |
| 3/21/2004 | Pew Research Center | 24 | 55 |
| 10/26/2003 | GALLUP | 35 | 42 |
| 7/27/2003 | CBS/NYT | 25 | 51 |
| 10/15/2002 | NES | 52 | 63 |
| 9/04/2002 | GALLUP | 38 | 55 |
| 9/02/2002 | CBS/NYT | 32 | 52 |
| 7/13/2002 | CBS/NYT | 34 | 45 |
| 6/17/2002 | GALLUP | 33 | 55 |
| 1/24/2002 | CBS/NYT | 39 | 56 |
| 12/07/2001 | CBS/NYT | 39 | 60 |
| 10/25/2001 | CBS/NYT | 47 | 70 |
| 10/06/2001 | GALLUP | 52 | 68 |
| 1/17/2001 | CBS/NYT | 26 | 38 |
| 10/15/2000 | NES | 48 | 43 |
| 7/09/2000 | GALLUP | 42 | 41 |
| 4/02/2000 | ABC/POST | 38 | 24 |
| 2/14/2000 | Pew Research Center | 46 | 37 |
| 10/03/1999 | CBS/NYT | 31 | 27 |
| 9/14/1999 | CBS/NYT | 42 | 35 |
| 5/16/1999 | Pew Research Center | 36 | 30 |
| 2/21/1999 | Pew Research Center | 35 | 25 |
| 2/12/1999 | ABC/POST | 41 | 21 |
| 2/04/1999 | GALLUP | 38 | 29 |
| 1/10/1999 | CBS/NYT | 42 | 33 |
| 1/03/1999 | CBS/NYT | 37 | 29 |
| 12/01/1998 | NES | 45 | 35 |
| 11/19/1998 | Pew Research Center | 31 | 23 |
| 11/01/1998 | CBS/NYT | 28 | 22 |
| 10/26/1998 | CBS/NYT | 28 | 25 |
| 8/10/1998 | ABC/POST | 40 | 30 |
| 2/22/1998 | Pew Research Center | 42 | 28 |
| 2/01/1998 | GALLUP | 52 | 26 |
| 1/25/1998 | CBS/NYT | 31 | 22 |
| 10/31/1997 | Pew Research Center | 46 | 32 |
| 6/01/1997 | GALLUP | 39 | 25 |
| 1/14/1997 | CBS/NYT | 29 | 20 |
| 11/02/1996 | CBS/NYT | 31 | 20 |
| 10/15/1996 | NES | 40 | 27 |
| 5/12/1996 | GALLUP | 32 | 20 |
| 5/06/1996 | ABC/POST | 41 | 35 |
| 11/19/1995 | ABC/POST | 27 | 26 |
| 8/07/1995 | GALLUP | 24 | 21 |
| 8/05/1995 | CBS/NYT | 20 | 20 |
| 3/19/1995 | ABC/POST | 27 | 20 |
| 2/22/1995 | CBS/NYT | 18 | 19 |
| 12/01/1994 | NES | 26 | 18 |
| 10/29/1994 | CBS/NYT | 26 | 19 |
| 10/23/1994 | ABC/POST | 27 | 16 |
| 6/06/1994 | GALLUP | 23 | 11 |
| 1/30/1994 | GALLUP | 25 | 14 |
| 1/20/1994 | ABC/POST | 30 | 18 |
| 3/24/1993 | GALLUP | 32 | 11 |
| 1/17/1993 | ABC/POST | 32 | 25 |
| 1/14/1993 | CBS/NYT | 26 | 21 |
| 10/23/1992 | CBS/NYT | 17 | 31 |
| 10/15/1992 | NES | 31 | 34 |
| 6/08/1992 | GALLUP | 17 | 31 |
| 10/20/1991 | ABC/POST | 31 | 41 |
| 3/06/1991 | CBS/NYT | 40 | 56 |
| 3/01/1991 | ABC/POST | 41 | 52 |
| 12/01/1990 | NES | 26 | 32 |
| 10/28/1990 | CBS/NYT | 21 | 31 |
| 9/06/1990 | ABC/POST | 37 | 48 |
| 1/16/1990 | ABC/POST | 32 | 46 |
| 6/29/1989 | CBS/NYT | 27 | 45 |
| 1/15/1989 | CBS/NYT | 37 | 54 |
| 11/10/1988 | CBS/NYT | 36 | 58 |
| 10/15/1988 | NES | 35 | 51 |
| 1/23/1988 | ABC/POST | 31 | 51 |
| 10/18/1987 | CBS/NYT | 36 | 47 |
| 6/01/1987 | ABC/POST | 38 | 59 |
| 3/01/1987 | CBS/NYT | 34 | 54 |
| 1/21/1987 | CBS/NYT | 36 | 51 |
| 1/19/1987 | ABC/POST | 39 | 51 |
| 12/01/1986 | NES | 31 | 53 |
| 11/30/1986 | CBS/NYT | 37 | 63 |
| 9/09/1986 | ABC/POST | 30 | 51 |
| 1/19/1986 | CBS/NYT | 36 | 51 |
| 11/06/1985 | CBS/NYT | 42 | 59 |
| 7/29/1985 | ABC/POST | 30 | 48 |
| 3/21/1985 | ABC/POST | 29 | 49 |
| 2/22/1985 | ABC/POST | 30 | 62 |
| 11/14/1984 | CBS/NYT | 36 | 59 |
| 10/15/1984 | NES | 41 | 50 |
| 12/01/1982 | NES | 32 | 41 |
| 11/07/1980 | CBS/NYT | 40 | 42 |
| 10/15/1980 | NES | 31 | 23 |
| 3/12/1980 | CBS/NYT | 30 | 22 |
| 11/03/1979 | CBS/NYT | 32 | 28 |
| 12/01/1978 | NES | 33 | 26 |
| 10/23/1977 | CBS/NYT | 40 | 25 |
| 4/25/1977 | CBS/NYT | 37 | 34 |
| 10/15/1976 | NES | 30 | 42 |
| 9/05/1976 | CBS/NYT | 38 | 45 |
| 6/15/1976 | CBS/NYT | 36 | 36 |
| 3/01/1976 | GALLUP | 31 | 40 |
| 12/01/1974 | NES | 36 | 38 |
| 10/15/1972 | NES | 48 | 62 |
| 12/01/1970 | NES | 52 | 61 |
| 10/15/1968 | NES | 66 | 60 |
| 12/01/1966 | NES | 71 | 54 |
| 10/15/1964 | NES | 80 | 73 |
| 12/01/1958 | NES | 71 | 79 |
Sources: Pew Research Center, National Election Studies, Gallup, ABC/Washington Post, CBS/New York Times, and CNN surveys.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Democrats’ trust in the government has never been lower: Just 9% now say they trust the federal government just about always or most of the time.
Today 26% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents say they trust the federal government – on par with GOP views during the first Trump administration.
A year ago, during the Biden administration, only 11% of Republicans reported trusting the federal government just about always or most of the time. Democratic trust was higher (35%).
Since the 1970s, trust in government has been consistently higher among members of the party that controls the White House than among the opposition party.
Over the last two changes in administration, Republican and Democratic shifts in trust in government have been largely the inverse of one another.
This is somewhat different than in previous periods. In the past, Republicans tended to be more reactive than Democrats to changes in political leadership, expressing much lower levels of trust during Democratic presidencies than Democrats did during GOP presidencies.
Trust in government by party and ideology
% who say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right just about always/most of the time
Sources: Pew Research Center, National Election Studies, Gallup, ABC/Washington Post, CBS/New York Times, and CNN surveys.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Trust in government by party and ideology
% who say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right just about always/most of the time
| Date | Liberal Dem/Lean Dem | Cons-Moderate Dem/Lean Dem | Moderate-Lib Rep/Lean Rep | Conservative Rep/Lean Rep | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/28/2025 | Pew Research Center | 5 | 14 | 25 | 26 |
| 2/9/2025 | Pew Research Center | 14 | 15 | 21 | 19 |
| 5/19/2024 | Pew Research Center | 33 | 36 | 17 | 7 |
| 6/11/2023 | Pew Research Center | 23 | 27 | 14 | 4 |
| 5/1/2022 | Pew Research Center | 26 | 32 | 13 | 7 |
| 4/11/2021 | Pew Research Center | 31 | 40 | 16 | 5 |
| 8/2/2020 | Pew Research Center | 8 | 16 | 31 | 27 |
| 4/12/2020 | Pew Research Center | 12 | 22 | 37 | 37 |
| 3/25/2019 | Pew Research Center | 13 | 15 | 21 | 20 |
| 12/04/2017 | Pew Research Center | 15 | 16 | 26 | 20 |
| 4/11/2017 | Pew Research Center | 15 | 16 | 32 | 26 |
| 10/04/2015 | Pew Research Center | 28 | 25 | 14 | 9 |
| 7/20/2014 | CNN | 19 | 16 | 15 | 7 |
| 2/26/2014 | Pew Research Center | 31 | 33 | 21 | 13 |
| 11/15/2013 | CBS/NYT | 38 | 25 | 13 | 5 |
| 10/13/2013 | Pew Research Center | 25 | 27 | 16 | 7 |
| 5/31/2013 | CBS/NYT | 30 | 30 | 16 | 4 |
| 2/06/2013 | CBS/NYT | 35 | 34 | 9 | 7 |
| 1/13/2013 | Pew Research Center | 34 | 37 | 17 | 14 |
| 10/31/2012 | NES | 26 | 32 | 18 | 15 |
| 10/19/2011 | CBS/NYT | 9 | 13 | 11 | 7 |
| 10/04/2011 | Pew Research Center | 30 | 25 | 14 | 9 |
| 9/23/2011 | CNN | 30 | 16 | 11 | 11 |
| 8/21/2011 | Pew Research Center | 26 | 24 | 18 | 10 |
| 3/01/2011 | Pew Research Center | 36 | 33 | 32 | 18 |
| 10/21/2010 | CBS/NYT | 37 | 35 | 12 | 4 |
| 10/01/2010 | CBS/NYT | 34 | 22 | 10 | 16 |
| 9/06/2010 | Pew Research Center | 39 | 31 | 19 | 10 |
| 9/01/2010 | CNN | 36 | 30 | 28 | 11 |
| 4/05/2010 | CBS/NYT | 37 | 21 | 23 | 7 |
| 3/21/2010 | Pew Research Center | 36 | 31 | 19 | 11 |
| 2/12/2010 | CNN | 36 | 34 | 25 | 9 |
| 2/05/2010 | CBS/NYT | 31 | 32 | 13 | 7 |
| 1/10/2010 | GALLUP | 29 | 22 | 20 | 12 |
| 12/20/2009 | CNN | 31 | 23 | 18 | 13 |
| 8/31/2009 | CBS/NYT | 38 | 30 | 14 | 10 |
| 6/12/2009 | CBS/NYT | 42 | 34 | 13 | 8 |
| 12/21/2008 | CNN | 36 | 28 | 28 | 17 |
| 10/15/2008 | NES | 37 | 34 | 48 | 28 |
| 10/13/2008 | CBS/NYT | 16 | 12 | 26 | 12 |
| 7/09/2007 | CBS/NYT | 14 | 21 | 38 | 28 |
| 1/09/2007 | Pew Research Center | 15 | 25 | 41 | 45 |
| 10/08/2006 | CBS/NYT | 14 | 22 | 50 | 51 |
| 9/15/2006 | CBS/NYT | 11 | 23 | 44 | 44 |
| 2/05/2006 | Pew Research Center | 13 | 23 | 52 | 54 |
| 1/20/2006 | CBS/NYT | 27 | 21 | 52 | 50 |
| 1/06/2006 | GALLUP | 10 | 26 | 33 | 56 |
| 12/02/2005 | CBS/NYT | 16 | 21 | 60 | 47 |
| 9/11/2005 | Pew Research Center | 13 | 22 | 39 | 54 |
| 9/09/2005 | CBS/NYT | 12 | 26 | 46 | 41 |
| 6/19/2005 | GALLUP | 25 | 24 | 31 | 41 |
| 10/15/2004 | NES | 24 | 39 | 63 | 59 |
| 3/21/2004 | Pew Research Center | 23 | 24 | 53 | 56 |
| 10/26/2003 | GALLUP | 23 | 39 | 31 | 52 |
| 7/27/2003 | CBS/NYT | 21 | 27 | 55 | 47 |
| 10/15/2002 | NES | 53 | 56 | 66 | 61 |
| 9/04/2002 | GALLUP | 31 | 40 | 50 | 60 |
| 9/02/2002 | CBS/NYT | 32 | 32 | 55 | 53 |
| 7/13/2002 | CBS/NYT | 37 | 33 | 50 | 42 |
| 6/17/2002 | GALLUP | 30 | 36 | 59 | 55 |
| 1/24/2002 | CBS/NYT | 38 | 39 | 58 | 54 |
| 12/07/2001 | CBS/NYT | 34 | 43 | 61 | 58 |
| 10/06/2001 | GALLUP | 46 | 55 | 66 | 69 |
| 1/17/2001 | CBS/NYT | 33 | 24 | 41 | 33 |
| 10/15/2000 | NES | 58 | 52 | 54 | 44 |
| 7/09/2000 | GALLUP | 41 | 42 | 50 | 35 |
| 4/02/2000 | ABC/POST | 38 | 39 | 28 | 20 |
| 10/03/1999 | CBS/NYT | 26 | 33 | 29 | 24 |
| 9/14/1999 | CBS/NYT | 38 | 45 | 42 | 27 |
| 2/12/1999 | ABC/POST | 40 | 43 | 26 | 16 |
| 2/04/1999 | GALLUP | 36 | 40 | 33 | 27 |
| 1/10/1999 | CBS/NYT | 39 | 44 | 40 | 28 |
| 1/03/1999 | CBS/NYT | 34 | 39 | 31 | 26 |
| 12/01/1998 | NES | 45 | 46 | 39 | 34 |
| 11/01/1998 | CBS/NYT | 28 | 28 | 23 | 22 |
| 10/26/1998 | CBS/NYT | 30 | 28 | 22 | 26 |
| 8/10/1998 | ABC/POST | 38 | 35 | 24 | 27 |
| 2/01/1998 | GALLUP | 55 | 52 | 33 | 23 |
| 1/25/1998 | CBS/NYT | 24 | 31 | 24 | 19 |
| 6/01/1997 | GALLUP | 41 | 38 | 31 | 21 |
| 1/14/1997 | CBS/NYT | 30 | 28 | 25 | 14 |
| 11/02/1996 | CBS/NYT | 30 | 32 | 21 | 19 |
| 10/15/1996 | NES | 38 | 39 | 30 | 25 |
| 5/12/1996 | GALLUP | 25 | 35 | 25 | 18 |
| 5/06/1996 | ABC/POST | 41 | 41 | 39 | 33 |
| 11/19/1995 | ABC/POST | 26 | 27 | 26 | 28 |
| 8/07/1995 | GALLUP | 16 | 27 | 17 | 25 |
| 8/05/1995 | CBS/NYT | 21 | 19 | 19 | 23 |
| 3/19/1995 | ABC/POST | 24 | 28 | 22 | 17 |
| 2/22/1995 | CBS/NYT | 20 | 18 | 22 | 17 |
| 12/01/1994 | NES | 22 | 28 | 21 | 16 |
| 10/29/1994 | CBS/NYT | 26 | 27 | 23 | 15 |
| 10/23/1994 | ABC/POST | 32 | 25 | 22 | 11 |
| 6/06/1994 | GALLUP | 16 | 26 | 15 | 9 |
| 1/30/1994 | GALLUP | 20 | 27 | 18 | 12 |
| 1/20/1994 | ABC/POST | 26 | 31 | 25 | 10 |
| 1/17/1993 | ABC/POST | 30 | 33 | 28 | 22 |
| 1/14/1993 | CBS/NYT | 17 | 30 | 20 | 20 |
| 10/23/1992 | CBS/NYT | 20 | 15 | 30 | 32 |
| 10/15/1992 | NES | 26 | 33 | 37 | 31 |
| 6/08/1992 | GALLUP | 13 | 19 | 31 | 30 |
| 10/20/1991 | ABC/POST | 25 | 33 | 42 | 39 |
| 3/06/1991 | CBS/NYT | 46 | 39 | 57 | 56 |
| 3/01/1991 | ABC/POST | 39 | 41 | 54 | 50 |
| 12/01/1990 | NES | 27 | 26 | 31 | 33 |
| 9/06/1990 | ABC/POST | 34 | 39 | 49 | 45 |
| 1/16/1990 | ABC/POST | 28 | 34 | 50 | 39 |
| 6/29/1989 | CBS/NYT | 27 | 27 | 38 | 55 |
| 1/15/1989 | CBS/NYT | 33 | 38 | 56 | 54 |
| 11/10/1988 | CBS/NYT | 24 | 40 | 65 | 52 |
| 10/15/1988 | NES | 34 | 35 | 52 | 51 |
| 1/23/1988 | ABC/POST | 30 | 31 | 54 | 49 |
| 10/18/1987 | CBS/NYT | 34 | 37 | 47 | 49 |
| 6/01/1987 | ABC/POST | 34 | 41 | 60 | 55 |
| 1/21/1987 | CBS/NYT | 34 | 37 | 54 | 48 |
| 1/19/1987 | ABC/POST | 37 | 38 | 52 | 51 |
| 12/01/1986 | NES | 25 | 36 | 53 | 53 |
| 9/09/1986 | ABC/POST | 25 | 34 | 55 | 44 |
| 1/19/1986 | CBS/NYT | 34 | 38 | 51 | 52 |
| 11/06/1985 | CBS/NYT | 42 | 43 | 60 | 56 |
| 7/29/1985 | ABC/POST | 26 | 33 | 53 | 41 |
| 3/21/1985 | ABC/POST | 27 | 29 | 52 | 48 |
| 2/22/1985 | ABC/POST | 28 | 33 | 62 | 63 |
| 10/15/1984 | NES | 34 | 47 | 52 | 46 |
| 12/01/1982 | NES | 29 | 35 | 48 | 38 |
| 11/07/1980 | CBS/NYT | 38 | 42 | 44 | 41 |
| 10/15/1980 | NES | 34 | 28 | 28 | 18 |
| 3/12/1980 | CBS/NYT | 31 | 29 | 25 | 18 |
| 11/03/1979 | CBS/NYT | 34 | 31 | 28 | 26 |
| 12/01/1978 | NES | 38 | 33 | 24 | 24 |
| 10/23/1977 | CBS/NYT | 41 | 41 | 32 | 16 |
| 4/25/1977 | CBS/NYT | 41 | 38 | 33 | 36 |
| 10/15/1976 | NES | 27 | 34 | 49 | 41 |
| 9/05/1976 | CBS/NYT | 33 | 42 | 45 | 45 |
| 6/15/1976 | CBS/NYT | 35 | 35 | 39 | 34 |
| 12/01/1974 | NES | 36 | 40 | 39 | 40 |
| 10/15/1972 | NES | 44 | 53 | 62 | 66 |
Sources: Pew Research Center, National Election Studies, Gallup, ABC/Washington Post, CBS/New York Times, and CNN surveys.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Roughly similar shares of White (16%), Black (14%), Hispanic (20%) and Asian (22%) adults say they trust the federal government “most of the time” or “just about always.”
Trust in government by race and ethnicity
% who say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right just about always/most of the time
* Estimates for Asian adults are representative of English speakers only.
Note: White, Black and Asian adults include only those who report being one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanics are of any race.
Sources: Pew Research Center, National Election Studies, Gallup, ABC/Washington Post, CBS/New York Times, and CNN surveys.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Trust in government by race and ethnicity
% who say they trust the government in Washington to do what is right just about always/most of the time
| Date | Hispanic | Black | White | Asian* | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/28/2025 | Pew Research Center | 20 | 14 | 16 | 22 |
| 2/9/2025 | Pew Research Center | 17 | 11 | 17 | 27 |
| 5/19/2024 | Pew Research Center | 30 | 27 | 19 | 36 |
| 6/11/2023 | Pew Research Center | 23 | 21 | 13 | 23 |
| 5/1/2022 | Pew Research Center | 29 | 24 | 16 | 37 |
| 4/11/2021 | Pew Research Center | 36 | 37 | 18 | 29 |
| 8/2/2020 | Pew Research Center | 28 | 15 | 18 | 27 |
| 4/12/2020 | Pew Research Center | 29 | 27 | 26 | |
| 3/25/2019 | Pew Research Center | 28 | 9 | 17 | |
| 12/04/2017 | Pew Research Center | 23 | 15 | 17 | |
| 4/11/2017 | Pew Research Center | 24 | 13 | 20 | |
| 10/04/2015 | Pew Research Center | 28 | 23 | 15 | |
| 7/20/2014 | CNN | 9 | |||
| 2/26/2014 | Pew Research Center | 33 | 26 | 22 | |
| 11/15/2013 | CBS/NYT | 12 | |||
| 10/13/2013 | Pew Research Center | 21 | 24 | 17 | |
| 5/31/2013 | CBS/NYT | 15 | |||
| 2/06/2013 | CBS/NYT | 39 | 15 | ||
| 1/13/2013 | Pew Research Center | 44 | 38 | 20 | |
| 10/31/2012 | NES | 38 | 38 | 16 | |
| 10/19/2011 | CBS/NYT | 15 | 15 | 8 | |
| 10/04/2011 | Pew Research Center | 29 | 25 | 17 | |
| 9/23/2011 | CNN | 10 | |||
| 8/21/2011 | Pew Research Center | 28 | 35 | 15 | |
| 3/01/2011 | Pew Research Center | 28 | 25 | 30 | |
| 10/21/2010 | CBS/NYT | 40 | 15 | ||
| 10/01/2010 | CBS/NYT | 17 | |||
| 9/06/2010 | Pew Research Center | 37 | 37 | 20 | |
| 9/01/2010 | CNN | 21 | |||
| 4/05/2010 | CBS/NYT | 18 | |||
| 3/21/2010 | Pew Research Center | 26 | 37 | 20 | |
| 2/12/2010 | CNN | 22 | |||
| 2/05/2010 | CBS/NYT | 16 | |||
| 1/10/2010 | GALLUP | 16 | |||
| 12/20/2009 | CNN | 21 | 18 | ||
| 8/31/2009 | CBS/NYT | 21 | |||
| 6/12/2009 | CBS/NYT | 16 | |||
| 12/21/2008 | CNN | 22 | |||
| 10/15/2008 | NES | 34 | 28 | 30 | |
| 10/13/2008 | CBS/NYT | 18 | |||
| 7/09/2007 | CBS/NYT | 11 | 25 | ||
| 1/09/2007 | Pew Research Center | 35 | 20 | 32 | |
| 10/08/2006 | CBS/NYT | 31 | |||
| 9/15/2006 | CBS/NYT | 31 | |||
| 2/05/2006 | Pew Research Center | 26 | 36 | ||
| 1/20/2006 | CBS/NYT | 19 | 34 | ||
| 1/06/2006 | GALLUP | 33 | |||
| 12/02/2005 | CBS/NYT | 35 | |||
| 9/11/2005 | Pew Research Center | 12 | 32 | ||
| 9/09/2005 | CBS/NYT | 12 | 29 | ||
| 6/19/2005 | GALLUP | 32 | |||
| 10/15/2004 | NES | 34 | 50 | ||
| 3/21/2004 | Pew Research Center | 17 | 41 | ||
| 10/26/2003 | GALLUP | 39 | |||
| 7/27/2003 | CBS/NYT | 19 | 37 | ||
| 10/15/2002 | NES | 41 | 58 | ||
| 9/04/2002 | GALLUP | 46 | |||
| 9/02/2002 | CBS/NYT | 39 | |||
| 7/13/2002 | CBS/NYT | 39 | |||
| 6/17/2002 | GALLUP | 48 | |||
| 1/24/2002 | CBS/NYT | 48 | |||
| 12/07/2001 | CBS/NYT | 51 | |||
| 10/25/2001 | CBS/NYT | 60 | |||
| 10/06/2001 | GALLUP | 61 | |||
| 1/17/2001 | CBS/NYT | 33 | |||
| 10/15/2000 | NES | 32 | 46 | ||
| 7/09/2000 | GALLUP | 41 | |||
| 4/02/2000 | ABC/POST | 28 | |||
| 2/14/2000 | Pew Research Center | 36 | 40 | ||
| 10/03/1999 | CBS/NYT | 28 | |||
| 9/14/1999 | CBS/NYT | 30 | 39 | ||
| 5/16/1999 | Pew Research Center | 28 | 31 | ||
| 2/21/1999 | Pew Research Center | 32 | 31 | ||
| 2/12/1999 | ABC/POST | 32 | |||
| 2/04/1999 | GALLUP | 33 | |||
| 1/10/1999 | CBS/NYT | 37 | 35 | ||
| 1/03/1999 | CBS/NYT | 39 | 31 | ||
| 12/01/1998 | NES | 57 | 36 | 38 | |
| 11/19/1998 | Pew Research Center | 27 | 26 | ||
| 11/01/1998 | CBS/NYT | 29 | 22 | ||
| 10/26/1998 | CBS/NYT | 26 | 25 | ||
| 8/10/1998 | ABC/POST | 33 | |||
| 2/22/1998 | Pew Research Center | 42 | 33 | ||
| 2/01/1998 | GALLUP | 36 | |||
| 1/25/1998 | CBS/NYT | 25 | |||
| 10/31/1997 | Pew Research Center | 39 | 38 | ||
| 6/01/1997 | GALLUP | 31 | 32 | ||
| 1/14/1997 | CBS/NYT | 15 | 24 | ||
| 11/02/1996 | CBS/NYT | 31 | 30 | 24 | |
| 10/15/1996 | NES | 35 | 32 | ||
| 5/12/1996 | GALLUP | 24 | |||
| 5/06/1996 | ABC/POST | 34 | |||
| 11/19/1995 | ABC/POST | 26 | |||
| 8/07/1995 | GALLUP | 22 | |||
| 8/05/1995 | CBS/NYT | 24 | 19 | ||
| 3/19/1995 | ABC/POST | 27 | 21 | ||
| 2/22/1995 | CBS/NYT | 20 | 17 | ||
| 12/01/1994 | NES | 22 | 20 | ||
| 10/29/1994 | CBS/NYT | 16 | 22 | ||
| 10/23/1994 | ABC/POST | 21 | |||
| 6/06/1994 | GALLUP | 15 | |||
| 1/30/1994 | GALLUP | 17 | |||
| 1/20/1994 | ABC/POST | 34 | 21 | ||
| 3/24/1993 | GALLUP | 20 | |||
| 1/17/1993 | ABC/POST | 45 | 25 | ||
| 1/14/1993 | CBS/NYT | 22 | 24 | ||
| 10/23/1992 | CBS/NYT | 21 | 23 | ||
| 10/15/1992 | NES | 37 | 27 | 28 | |
| 6/08/1992 | GALLUP | 23 | |||
| 10/20/1991 | ABC/POST | 29 | 36 | ||
| 3/06/1991 | CBS/NYT | 30 | 49 | ||
| 3/01/1991 | ABC/POST | 35 | 46 | ||
| 12/01/1990 | NES | 39 | 22 | 27 | |
| 10/28/1990 | CBS/NYT | 26 | 25 | ||
| 9/06/1990 | ABC/POST | 39 | 43 | ||
| 1/16/1990 | ABC/POST | 35 | 38 | ||
| 6/29/1989 | CBS/NYT | 26 | 36 | ||
| 1/15/1989 | CBS/NYT | 33 | 46 | ||
| 11/10/1988 | CBS/NYT | 33 | 45 | ||
| 10/15/1988 | NES | 25 | 43 | ||
| 1/23/1988 | ABC/POST | 29 | 41 | ||
| 10/18/1987 | CBS/NYT | 32 | 41 | ||
| 6/01/1987 | ABC/POST | 34 | 49 | ||
| 3/01/1987 | CBS/NYT | 20 | 45 | ||
| 1/21/1987 | CBS/NYT | 27 | 46 | ||
| 1/19/1987 | ABC/POST | 31 | 47 | ||
| 12/01/1986 | NES | 21 | 42 | ||
| 11/30/1986 | CBS/NYT | 23 | 52 | ||
| 9/09/1986 | ABC/POST | 26 | 42 | ||
| 1/19/1986 | CBS/NYT | 22 | 45 | ||
| 11/06/1985 | CBS/NYT | 34 | 52 | ||
| 7/29/1985 | ABC/POST | 22 | 40 | ||
| 3/21/1985 | ABC/POST | 29 | 40 | ||
| 2/22/1985 | ABC/POST | 24 | 46 | ||
| 10/15/1984 | NES | 33 | 46 | ||
| 12/01/1982 | NES | 26 | 34 | ||
| 11/07/1980 | CBS/NYT | 30 | 40 | ||
| 10/15/1980 | NES | 26 | 25 | ||
| 3/12/1980 | CBS/NYT | 35 | 24 | ||
| 11/03/1979 | CBS/NYT | 36 | 29 | ||
| 12/01/1978 | NES | 29 | 29 | ||
| 10/23/1977 | CBS/NYT | 28 | 34 | ||
| 4/25/1977 | CBS/NYT | 34 | 35 | ||
| 10/15/1976 | NES | 22 | 35 | ||
| 6/15/1976 | CBS/NYT | 35 | 34 | ||
| 3/01/1976 | GALLUP | 23 | 34 | ||
| 12/01/1974 | NES | 19 | 38 | ||
| 10/15/1972 | NES | 32 | 56 | ||
| 12/01/1970 | NES | 40 | 55 | ||
| 10/15/1968 | NES | 62 | 61 | ||
| 12/01/1966 | NES | 65 | 65 | ||
| 10/15/1964 | NES | 77 | 77 | ||
| 12/01/1958 | NES | 62 | 74 |
* Estimates for Asian adults are representative of English speakers only.
Note: White, Black and Asian adults include only those who report being one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanics are of any race.
Sources: Pew Research Center, National Election Studies, Gallup, ABC/Washington Post, CBS/New York Times, and CNN surveys.
PEW RESEARCH CENTER
Note: For full question wording, refer to the topline. White, Black and Asian American adults include those who report being one race and are not Hispanic. Hispanics are of any race. Estimates for Asian adults are representative of English speakers only.
Sources: Pew Research Center, National Election Studies, Gallup, ABC/Washington Post, CBS/New York Times and CNN surveys. Data from 2020 and later comes from Pew Research Center’s online American Trends Panel; prior data is from telephone surveys. Details about changes in survey mode can be found in this 2020 report. Read more about the Center’s polling methodology. For analysis by party and race/ethnicity, selected datasets were obtained from searches of the iPOLL Databank provided by the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research.
Great Job Peter Bell & the Team @ Pew Research Center Source link for sharing this story.





