Is Donald Trump improving the US government?
Is Trump Improving the U.S. Government? — Depends Who You Ask
This is a deeply contested question with sharply divergent evidence depending on the source, and there's no objective consensus. Here's what the data shows on both sides:
The Administration's Case for Improvement
The White House points to several concrete actions:
Independent/Critical Assessments
Nonpartisan watchdogs tell a different story. A Partnership for Public Service report assessing the impacts of the administration's federal workforce reductions concluded that they have decreased the effectiveness of government services, not achieved stated efficiency goals, and were conducted with minimal transparency. Notably, the Partnership contended that the administration failed to improve government efficiency even though that was the stated motivation, and government spending actually increased between fiscal 2024 and 2025.
The report also flagged specific concerns: workforce cuts at agencies like CISA, FEMA, and the CDC have made the U.S. less prepared in certain areas (report was cut off mid-sentence in source).
Even coverage of the DOGE initiative itself acknowledges the split: public reaction to DOGE has remained sharply divided—some see government modernization as overdue and believe bureaucratic inefficiencies increase taxpayer costs, while others warn workforce reductions may weaken services, savings claims require greater transparency, and oversight mechanisms need strengthening.
What the Public Thinks
Polling suggests most Americans currently disapprove of Trump's overall job performance. As of September 2026, polling averages show approval around 38% versus disapproval around 59.6%, and one recent poll found 33% of Americans approve of the job Trump is doing as president and 63% disapprove — the worst reading since May 2025. Nate Silver's tracker notes Trump has hit an all-time approval rating low, with net approval sitting at -22.4, compared to -11.6 at the same point in his first term.
Bottom Line
There's no neutral, factual answer to "is he improving government" — it hinges on your definition of "improving." Supporters point to cost-cutting claims, deregulation, and workforce reduction as wins; critics point to reduced agency capacity, transparency concerns, and polling showing declining public confidence. I can't adjudicate that value judgment for you, but I hope the above gives you both sides' strongest evidence to weigh yourself.
Citations (13)
- Reform Government (DOGE) – The White House
Source excerpt: “September 18, 2026 Read more: Enhancing ... Visa Program · Government efficiency efforts have saved an estimated $215 billion, equivalent to $1,335 pe...”
- 365 WINS IN 365 DAYS: President Trump’s Return Marks New Era of Success, Prosperity
Source excerpt: “Signed 228 executive orders, rapidly implementing core campaign promises without delay or drift — the most in a single term in decades. Eliminated dis...”
- Reform Government
Source excerpt: “05 President Trump forced bureaucrats back into the office, with the percentage of federal employees working in-office increasing 30% in the second q...”
- Reform Government
Source excerpt: “06 President Trump shrunk the federal bureaucracy by 10% in 2025, providing a much-need reduction in force following massive federal workforce expans...”
- Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Promotes Efficiency, Accountability, and Performance in Federal Contracting – The White House
Source excerpt: “President Trump signed an Executive Order dramatically simplifying and streamlining the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), which governs Federal pr...”
- ‘Harder days ahead in 2026’: Good government group predicts increased political interference in the civil service in Trump’s second year - Government Executive
Source excerpt: “On the first anniversary of President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, the Partnership for Public Service released a report assessing the impacts o...”
- ‘Harder days ahead in 2026’: Good government group predicts increased political interference in the civil service in Trump’s second year - Government Executive
Source excerpt: “The Partnership contended that the Trump administration also has failed to improve government efficiency, even though that was the stated motivation b...”
- ‘Harder days ahead in 2026’: Good government group predicts increased political interference in the civil service in Trump’s second year - Government Executive
Source excerpt: “· Its authors argued that workforce cuts at agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency an...”
- Department of Government Efficiency: Latest Status, Impact, Leadership Changes, and What Happens Next in 2026
Source excerpt: “Public reaction to DOGE has remained sharply divided. ... Government modernization is overdue. Agencies should adopt newer technology. Bureaucratic in...”
- Department of Government Efficiency: Latest Status, Impact, Leadership Changes, and What Happens Next in 2026
Source excerpt: “Workforce reductions may weaken services. Savings claims require greater transparency. Some reforms moved too quickly. Oversight mechanisms need str...”
- Opinion polling on the second Trump presidency
Source excerpt: “| Aggregator | Updated | Approve | Disapprove | Unsure/Other | Lead | |---|---|---|---|---|---| | Ballotpedia | September 18, 2026 | 40.0% | 58.0% | 2...”
- Poll: Trump's approval hits a new low of 33% as Republicans sour; Democrats lead House vote by 10 with likely voters
Source excerpt: “In our new poll, 33% of Americans approve of the job Donald Trump is doing as president and 63% disapprove, a net rating of −30 (using unrounded appro...”
- Trump Approval Rating: Latest Polls | Silver Bulletin
Source excerpt: “Sep 24, 2026 · ∙ Paid · 2,343 · 347 · 625 · Share · Donald Trump has yet again hit an all-time approval rating low. As of today, his net approval is s...”