Is Donald Trump improving the US government?

Short answer: it depends on what you mean by “improving.” Since January 20, 2025, Donald Trump has made big changes to how the executive branch is run. Supporters say these moves increase accountability and speed; critics say they politicize the civil service, strain alliances, and create legal and operational turbulence. Here are the main levers he’s pulled and what we know so far:

What has changed

•Civil service and management: Trump reinstated and revised his 2020 “Schedule F” concept (now called “Schedule Policy/Career”), making it easier to reclassify and remove federal employees in policy‑influencing roles. OPM has since issued a final rule to implement it. Backers see this as improving accountability; opponents warn it weakens merit protections and independence.[1]

•Regulations: On day one he ordered a government‑wide regulatory freeze and OMB followed with guidance to review and in some cases postpone rules before they take effect. The goal is to reduce or revise rules seen as unlawful or burdensome; the practical impact varies by agency and is still playing out.[2]

•Immigration and border: The administration ended several categorical humanitarian parole programs (e.g., for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans) and has moved through rulemaking to tighten asylum screening standards—changes that have prompted ongoing litigation and operational adjustments.[3]

•Trade and tariffs: Trump expanded tariff actions in 2025 and 2026, framing them as leverage to reshape supply chains and address forced labor; agencies have published timelines and fact sheets on these measures. Economists debate the net effects on prices, growth, and bargaining power.[4]

What the early evidence says about “improvement”

•Rule of law and checks: Several high‑profile initiatives have been challenged in court—some blocked, some upheld—creating uncertainty about implementation speed and durability. That tug‑of‑war is normal but can blunt near‑term “efficiency” gains.[5]

•Government performance: GAO’s latest High‑Risk work shows many long‑standing management problems remain and require sustained attention by agencies, OMB, and Congress. It’s too soon to claim broad structural improvement across government operations.[6]

•Fiscal picture: If “improving” includes fiscal sustainability, deficits remain very large—CBO projects about a $1.9 trillion federal deficit for fiscal year 2026 under current law—so there’s no evident improvement on that front yet.[7]

Bottom line

•If you prioritize political control over the bureaucracy and faster turnover in policymaking roles, you may see these changes as improvements. If you prioritize civil‑service neutrality, policy stability, alliance management, and predictable rulemaking, you may view them as harm or at least high‑risk changes that haven’t yet delivered better outcomes.

If you tell me which aspects you care about—efficiency and speed, service quality, the rule of law, international standing, or fiscal health—I can dig into those measures with more detail and data. For context, as of September 27, 2026, Donald J. Trump is the 47th U.S. president (sworn in January 20, 2025).[8]

Citations (8)

1govinfo.govGovernment
Federal Register
Backs: “Backers see this as improving accountability; opponents warn it weakens merit protections and independence.”
2govinfo.govGovernment
DCPD-202500142 - Memorandum on Regulatory Freeze Pending Review - DCPD-202500142 | Content Details | GovInfo
Backs: “The goal is to reduce or revise rules seen as unlawful or burdensome; the practical impact varies by agency and is still playing out.”
3aila.orgNonprofits and think tanks
DHS Notice Terminating CHNV Parole Processes
Backs: “The administration ended several categorical humanitarian parole programs (e.g., for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans) and has moved through rulemaking to tighten asylum screening standards—changes that have prompted ongoing litigation and operational adjustments.”
4congress.govGovernment
Presidential 2025 Tariff Actions: Timeline and
Backs: “Economists debate the net effects on prices, growth, and bargaining power.”
5cbsnews.comNews and mediaquality 0.88
How the Supreme Court ruled on Trump's agenda: Birthright citizenship, tariffs, presidential power - CBS News
Backs: “That tug‑of‑war is normal but can blunt near‑term “efficiency” gains.”
6gao.govGovernment
GAO-25-108125, HIGH-RISK SERIES: Heightened Attention Could Save Billions More and Improve Government Efficiency and Effectiveness
Backs: “It’s too soon to claim broad structural improvement across government operations.”
7cbo.govGovernment
The Budget and Economic Outlook: 2026 to 2036 | Congressional Budget Office
Backs: “If “improving” includes fiscal sustainability, deficits remain very large—CBO projects about a $1.9 trillion federal deficit for fiscal year 2026 under current law—so there’s no evident improvement on that front yet.”
8usa.govGovernment
Presidents, vice presidents, and first ladies | USAGov
Backs: “Trump is the 47th U.S. president (sworn in January 20, 2025).”