Is Donald Trump improving the US government?

Is Trump streamlining Washington or straining it? I'll pull current metrics on efficiency, economy, and public trust.

Whether Donald Trump is improving the US government depends on the metric used and perspective. Arguments on both sides point to different indicators:

Arguments and claims that the government is improving:

1. Administration's stated goals of efficiency and streamlining:
The administration says it is creating a government that is "lean, efficient, and focused on core priorities", including:

2. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE):
The White House states government efficiency efforts have saved an estimated $215 billion, equivalent to $1,335 per U.S. taxpayer, and that the administration issued executive actions to eliminate wasteful spending and restore transparency. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been described as having identified billions in waste, fraud, and abuse.

3. Deregulation:
The White House Office of Management and Budget said the administration has "blown far past the target 10-to-1 deregulatory ratio," saving hundreds of billions.

4. Economic indicators cited by the White House:
The White House cited revised data showing real GDP growth of 3.8 percent in Q2 2025, with real disposable income growth revised up to 3.1%. Other claims include that this 3.8% growth is the fastest pace of economic growth in nearly two years.

Arguments and polling that the government is not improving:

1. Public opinion polls:

2. Overall approval:

3. Analysis of risks of cuts:
Brookings Institution analysis argued that cutting government budgets is broadly popular in theory, but if large-scale downsizing succeeds, cutting government can backfire, and that "In its haste, DOGE is likely to disrupt services the public supports, making the government less effective". It warned of potential failures including disruptions in Social Security and veterans' benefits, delays in tax refunds, and impacts on FDA traceback systems and other services.

Summary

Supporters generally point to workforce reductions, claimed cost savings, deregulation, and positive GDP and income revisions as evidence of improvement. Critics and a majority of poll respondents say the changes are making the federal government function worse, citing concerns about service disruptions, loss of expertise, and lower confidence in government performance.

Evaluation often depends on whether one prioritizes a smaller, less expensive, and deregulated federal government versus stability, continuity of services, and public trust in institutions.