Is Donald Trump improving the US government?

Short answer: It depends on what “improving” means to you. Here’s a concise, evidence‑based snapshot as of October 6, 2026.

What’s changed in how the government runs

•Civil service and management: On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14171, reviving and revising “Schedule F” (renamed “Schedule Policy/Career”), making certain policy‑influencing civil‑service roles easier to reassign or remove. OPM issued implementing guidance; multiple unions and advocacy groups have sued, and related litigation is ongoing. Supporters say this improves accountability; critics warn it politicizes expertise.[1]

•Deregulation: The White House and OMB/OIRA report very large net deregulation in FY2025 (e.g., “129‑to‑1” ratio of deregulatory to regulatory actions, and claimed cost savings). Independent analysts note these counts and savings are administration‑reported and not standardized, though they do document a broad deregulatory push in the 2025 Unified Agenda.[2]

•AI and tech governance: In late September 2026 the administration announced a voluntary AI safety accord with major tech firms. Details are voluntary rather than statutory or regulatory.[3]

Key outcomes often used to judge “improvement”

•Border and immigration operations: Reported migrant encounters fell sharply in 2025 relative to 2024; by early 2026 several outlets described levels as the lowest in decades. At the same time, core policies (like rapid “third‑country” deportations and other restrictions) are under heavy court review; some have been allowed to proceed pending final rulings.[4]

•Economy and basic indicators: Unemployment was 4.2% in September 2026; real GDP grew at a 2.2% annual rate in Q2 2026; core CPI inflation ran about 2.4% year‑over‑year in August 2026. The Census Bureau’s 2026 reports on 2025 outcomes show record‑low poverty for some groups and historically low overall levels, though not all measures improved uniformly.[5]

•Fiscal stewardship: Federal deficits remain very large by historical standards (about $1.8–$1.9 trillion in FY2025–FY2026, roughly 5.8% of GDP), and CBO projects sustained high deficits ahead absent policy changes. If “improvement” means shrinking red ink, the data so far don’t show that.[6]

•Oversight and risk: GAO’s 2025–2026 High‑Risk work shows incremental progress in some areas but still flags dozens of mission‑critical federal programs as vulnerable to waste, fraud, or mismanagement—i.e., a mixed picture on government effectiveness.[7]

Bottom line

•If you prioritize tighter border enforcement and aggressive deregulation, you may view the changes as improvements.

•If you prioritize civil‑service independence, process stability, and fiscal balance, you may see heightened risks or declines.

•Many major policy shifts are tied up in court, so some impacts remain provisional pending final rulings.[8]

If you tell me which aspect of “improving the government” you care about—management, immigration, economy, deficits, civil service norms, or something else—I can drill down with specifics.

Citations (8)

1govinfo.govGovernment
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-02-06/pdf/2026-02375.pdf
Backs: “Supporters say this improves accountability; critics warn it politicizes expertise.”
2whitehouse.govGovernment
White House Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs Releases End of Year Deregulatory Stats: Showing the Trump Administration Has Best Deregulation Year in History – The White House
Backs: “Independent analysts note these counts and savings are administration‑reported and not standardized, though they do document a broad deregulatory push in the 2025 Unified Agenda.”
3apnews.comNews and mediaquality 1.00
The Latest: Trump says top tech firms have signed accord to 'self-police' AI development
Backs: “In late September 2026 the administration announced a voluntary AI safety accord with major tech firms. Details are voluntary rather than statutory or regulatory.”
4cbp.govGovernment
CBP Releases May 2025 Monthly Update | U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Backs: “At the same time, core policies (like rapid “third‑country” deportations and other restrictions) are under heavy court review; some have been allowed to proceed pending final rulings.”
5bls.govGovernment
Employment Situation News Release - 2026 M09 Results
Backs: “The Census Bureau’s 2026 reports on 2025 outcomes show record‑low poverty for some groups and historically low overall levels, though not all measures improved uniformly.”
6cbo.govGovernment
Budget | Congressional Budget Office
Backs: “If “improvement” means shrinking red ink, the data so far don’t show that.”
7gao.govGovernment
GAO Urges Attention to 2025 “High Risk List” to Save Billions and Improve Government Efficiency and Effectiveness | U.S. GAO
Backs: “GAO’s 2025–2026 High‑Risk work shows incremental progress in some areas but still flags dozens of mission‑critical federal programs as vulnerable to waste, fraud, or mismanagement—i.e., a mixed picture on government effectiveness.”
8axios.comNews and mediaquality 0.90
A Trump-sized shadow looms over the Supreme Court's new term
Backs: “Many major policy shifts are tied up in court, so some impacts remain provisional pending final rulings.”