Is Donald Trump improving the US government?

Short answer: it depends on what you mean by “improving.” As of October 8, 2026, different indicators point in different directions.

What’s changed inside government

•Centralization of presidential control: Trump revived and expanded a version of “Schedule F” (now “Schedule Policy/Career”) to make thousands of policy‑influencing civil service roles easier to reassign or remove; OPM finalized rules in early 2026 and issued implementation guidance. Supporters say this increases accountability; critics warn it weakens nonpartisan capacity.[1]

•Court-backed authority: Supreme Court rulings in June 2026 increased presidential control over parts of the federal bureaucracy (while leaving the Fed’s independence intact).[2]

•Workforce reductions: GAO and OPM data show notable cuts across agencies in 2025–2026 (e.g., sizable reductions at OPM and other agencies). Advocates frame this as efficiency; GAO flags operational risks.[3]

•Persistent management challenges: GAO’s High‑Risk List (updated for the new Congress) still counts dozens of vulnerable areas across government, underscoring enduring weaknesses that predate this administration.[4]

Outputs and outcomes to consider

•Economy: Unemployment is hovering a little above 4% in mid‑2026; inflation has cooled from its post‑pandemic peaks but remains a policy focus. GDP growth around late‑2025/early‑2026 was dented by a late‑2025 shutdown. These are mixed signals rather than a clear “improvement” verdict.[5]

•Fiscal picture: The deficit remained about $1.8 trillion in FY2025 and is projected near $1.9 trillion in FY2026, indicating no improvement in the short‑run budget balance.[6]

•Legislative productivity: The 119th Congress has enacted relatively few laws by September 2026, limiting statutory reforms (regardless of one’s view of their desirability).[7]

•Public trust: Confidence in major U.S. institutions and trust in the federal government remain near historic lows in 2026, suggesting no broad-based improvement in perceived governance.[8]

Norms and controversy

•The administration touts anti‑fraud initiatives and new programs (e.g., “Trump Accounts” for minors), while opponents have filed lawsuits over taxpayer‑funded messaging and allege misuse of official resources—signs of an intensely contested approach to governance rather than consensus gains.[9]

Bottom line: If “improving” means tighter presidential control and a smaller federal footprint, you could argue yes. If it means stronger nonpartisan capacity, higher trust, healthier fiscal balances, or more durable lawmaking, current evidence doesn’t show clear improvement yet.

If you tell me which dimensions you care most about—efficiency, rule of law, service delivery, economy, debt, or public trust—I can dig deeper on those.

Citations (9)

1opm.govGovernment
OPM Finalizes Schedule Policy/Career Rule to Strengthen Accountability
Backs: “Supporters say this increases accountability; critics warn it weakens nonpartisan capacity.”
2washingtonpost.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
Supreme Court expands Trump’s power over the federal bureaucracy - The Washington Post
Backs: “Supreme Court rulings in June 2026 increased presidential control over parts of the federal bureaucracy (while leaving the Fed’s independence intact).”
3gao.govGovernment
GAO-26-108916, GAOverview: Recent Federal Workforce Changes at OPM
Backs: “Advocates frame this as efficiency; GAO flags operational risks.”
4gao.govGovernment
Government Performance: Confronting High Risks and Fiscal Challenges Is Crucial to a More Effective and Sustainable Government | U.S. GAO
Backs: “GAO’s High‑Risk List (updated for the new Congress) still counts dozens of vulnerable areas across government, underscoring enduring weaknesses that predate this administration.”
5bls.govGovernment
United States Economy at a Glance
Backs: “These are mixed signals rather than a clear “improvement” verdict.”
6cbo.govGovernment
Monthly Budget Review: September 2025 | Congressional Budget Office
Backs: “The deficit remained about $1.8 trillion in FY2025 and is projected near $1.9 trillion in FY2026, indicating no improvement in the short‑run budget balance.”
7usafacts.orgData and toolsquality 0.91
How many laws has Congress passed in its current term? | USAFacts
Backs: “The 119th Congress has enacted relatively few laws by September 2026, limiting statutory reforms (regardless of one’s view of their desirability).”
8gallup.comCompanies
Confidence in U.S. Institutions Remains Near All-Time Low
Backs: “Confidence in major U.S. institutions and trust in the federal government remain near historic lows in 2026, suggesting no broad-based improvement in perceived governance.”
9whitehouse.govGovernment
Trump Administration’s Full-Scale War on Fraud – The White House
Backs: “The administration touts anti‑fraud initiatives and new programs (e.g., “Trump Accounts” for minors), while opponents have filed lawsuits over taxpayer‑funded messaging and allege misuse of official resources—signs of an intensely contested approach to governance rather than consensus gains.”