
TL;DR
Trust in the U.S. federal government has reached new lows, with only 33% of adults trusting the executive branch and 28% the legislative branch. This decline reflects a broader trend of decreasing public confidence in government institutions over the past two decades.
✦ Why It Matters
Consider engaging in local governance initiatives to rebuild trust in public institutions.
Key Takeaways
Full Summary
Gallup's annual Governance poll reveals that trust in the federal government is at its lowest since tracking began in 1972. Only 33% of U.S. adults express a great deal or fair amount of trust in the executive branch, while just 28% trust the legislative branch.
Trust in the government's ability to handle international and domestic issues also stands at 33%. Notably, trust in the executive branch has dropped eight points from last year, and trust in handling international problems has decreased by 12 points.
The decline is particularly pronounced among political independents, who have seen a seven-point drop in trust regarding domestic issues. The findings suggest that public confidence is heavily influenced by party affiliation, with Republicans maintaining higher trust levels compared to Democrats and independents.
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