Is Donald Trump improving the US government?

Whether Donald Trump is "improving" the United States government is a highly debated topic, with opinions divided along ideological lines. Since returning to the presidency for a second term in January 2025, his administration has pursued a radical transformation of the federal government.

How one views these changes largely depends on one’s philosophy regarding the size, role, and structure of the federal government.

The Argument That He Is Improving the Government

Supporters argue that President Trump’s policies and executive actions are modernizing a bloated bureaucracy, restoring accountability, and centering the government on the needs of everyday citizens.

•Reducing "Waste" and Downsizing Bureaucracy: Proponents praise the administration's aggressive efforts to shrink the federal workforce, which decreased by roughly 10% (approximately 290,000 workers) in 2025. Supporters view this as a necessary dismantling of a self-serving, inefficient "deep state" and a way to save taxpayers money.

•Increasing Accountability and Workplace Presence: The administration’s mandate for federal employees to return to physical offices (resulting in a reported 30% increase in in-office presence) is framed by supporters as a way to restore productivity and bring federal working standards in line with the private sector.

•Deregulatory Agenda: By rolling back hundreds of federal regulations, particularly in the energy, environmental, and business sectors, proponents argue the administration is cutting "red tape" that stifles economic growth, job creation, and energy independence.

•Decisive Executive Action: Supporters admire Trump's use of executive authority—signing over 225 executive orders in his first ten months—to bypass congressional gridlock and immediately address major priorities like border security, immigration enforcement, and trade protectionism.

The Argument That He Is Weakening or Harming the Government

Critics, including public administration experts, civil servants, and political opponents, argue that these actions are severely damaging the government's capability, stability, and adherence to the rule of law.

•Erosion of Expertise and the Merit System: Critics argue that slashing hundreds of thousands of federal jobs and reclassifying civil service roles to allow for more political appointments undermines the 140-year-old merit-based civil service. They contend that replacing non-partisan, experienced subject-matter experts with political loyalists degrades the quality of public service and safety.

•Disruption of Public Services: Opponents point to major operational disruptions, including a historic 43-day government shutdown starting in late 2025, as evidence that the administration's governing style is chaotic. They argue this instability compromises the government's ability to keep the public safe, manage crises, and efficiently deliver critical benefits like healthcare and student loan administration.

•Overreach of Executive Power: Critics express concern over Trump’s extensive reliance on unilateral executive orders to enact major policy shifts, such as attempting to end birthright citizenship. They argue this bypasses the legislative authority of Congress, stretches constitutional limits, and leads to constant legal challenges that stall effective governance.

•Negative Economic and Social Impacts: Many economists and policy analysts argue that major administrative initiatives—such as sweeping tariffs and cuts to social programs (like Medicaid and SNAP) in legislative packages like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—have fueled inflation, strained families' finances, and weakened the social safety net.

Conclusion

Ultimately, whether Donald Trump is improving the U.S. government depends on one’s political values:

•If you believe the federal government is inherently too large, over-regulated, and unaccountable to the public, you are likely to view his aggressive downsizing, deregulation, and strong executive leadership as a positive and necessary reform.

•If you believe that a healthy democracy requires a robust, stable, and expert-led public sector to protect public health, safety, and the economy, you are likely to view his actions as a damaging politicization and degradation of the American state.

Citations (7)

1friendsofeurope.orgNonprofits and think tanks
friendsofeurope.org
Backs: “Whether Donald Trump is "improving" the United States government is a highly debated topic, with opinions divided along ideological lines.”
2ourpublicservice.orgNonprofits and think tanks
ourpublicservice.org
Backs: “Whether Donald Trump is "improving" the United States government is a highly debated topic, with opinions divided along ideological lines.”
3ey.comCompanies
ey.com
Backs: “Since returning to the presidency for a second term in January 2025, his administration has pursued a radical transformation of the federal government.”
4whitehouse.govGovernment
whitehouse.gov
Backs: “The Argument That He Is Improving the Government. Supporters argue that President Trump’s policies and executive actions are modernizing a bloated bureaucracy, restoring accountability, and centering the government on the needs of everyday citizens. Reducing "Waste" and Downsizing Bureaucracy: Proponents praise the…”
5epi.orgNonprofits and think tanks
epi.org
Backs: “Reducing "Waste" and Downsizing Bureaucracy: Proponents praise the administration's aggressive efforts to shrink the federal workforce, which decreased by roughly 10% (approximately 290,000 workers) in 2025. Supporters view this as a necessary dismantling of a self-serving, inefficient "deep state" and a way to save…”
6brookings.eduNonprofits and think tanks
brookings.edu
Backs: “Deregulatory Agenda: By rolling back hundreds of federal regulations, particularly in the energy, environmental, and business sectors, proponents argue the administration is cutting "red tape" that stifles economic growth, job creation, and energy independence. Decisive Executive Action: Supporters admire Trump's use…”
7brookings.eduNonprofits and think tanks
brookings.edu
Backs: “Negative Economic and Social Impacts: Many economists and policy analysts argue that major administrative initiatives—such as sweeping tariffs and cuts to social programs (like Medicaid and SNAP) in legislative packages like the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—have fueled inflation, strained families' finances, and…”