Is Donald Trump improving the US government?

Whether Donald Trump is "improving" the U.S. government is a matter of opinion and political perspective rather than an objective fact—reasonable people disagree sharply based on their values and priorities. Let me pull some current data and context to give you a balanced picture.This is a subjective, contested political question rather than one with a factual yes/no answer. Here's what the evidence shows from both sides as of October 2026:

Public opinion is largely negative right now. Trump's approval ratings have been declining and hitting record lows for his second term, with multiple polling averages showing him net-negative. A recent Pew Research poll has Trump at an all-time low approval rating of 30%, and dissatisfaction spans foreign policy, the economy and immigration enforcement. Polling averages across sources put him around 36-39% approval versus roughly 58-61% disapproval.

Supporters' case: The administration points to deregulation as a key efficiency win — in fiscal year 2026, federal agencies published 152 final rules under EO 14192 whose combined estimated economic effects represented nearly $1.5 trillion in total net regulatory cost reductions. Backers also argue the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts were necessary, and supporters overwhelmingly say the administration has been effective in making the government efficient, with three-in-four believing taxpayers will see at least "some" savings.

Critics' case: Nonpartisan government-watchdog groups paint a much harsher picture. The Partnership for Public Service found that the federal government is less transparent and accountable, pointing to the end of USDA's hunger survey and the firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner after a jobs report that didn't align with administration messaging. They also note Trump published jobs data on social media prior to its official release, a break with long-standing practice that exacerbates perceptions that government data is being politicized.

On the efficiency cuts specifically, public opinion has stayed skeptical: 52% of the public oppose the administration's changes to the federal government compared with only 39% who are in support, and more people say the government is wasteful now than one year ago. Budget watchdogs have also flagged legal concerns, noting the administration has engaged in aggressive — and often illegal — actions, including slashing federal personnel, reorganizing or shuttering agencies, and withholding funds... all without congressional approval.

Service impacts have been documented too — for instance, the administration's cuts to the federal workforce hurt customer service in some areas, with the IRS reporting that staff cuts resulted in lower levels of customer service.

Bottom line: There's no neutral, factual answer to "is he improving government" — it depends on what you value (deregulation and spending cuts vs. institutional transparency, data integrity, and public services). Right now, a clear majority of the American public in most polls says they disapprove of his overall job performance and specifically oppose his efficiency/workforce changes, while a solid minority (mostly Republicans) view the changes favorably. I'd encourage looking at specific policy areas you care about rather than a single up-or-down verdict.