Is Donald Trump improving the US government?

Short answer: it depends what you mean by “improving.” Since returning to office on January 20, 2025, Trump has made big structural changes that some see as improving efficiency and accountability, while others see them as politicizing the civil service and weakening safeguards. Here are the main ways the federal government has changed, with what we know so far as of October 24, 2026:

Where advocates see improvement

•One-stop digital access to services: Trump signed Executive Order 14432 on September 29, 2026 to stand up America.gov as a single “front door” for high‑use federal services, with Login.gov as the universal sign‑in. The White House and GSA say this should simplify access and reduce duplication across agency websites.[1]

•Tighter presidential control of the bureaucracy: Executive orders in 2025 expanded centralized White House review of agency rules (including many independent agencies) and launched a broad deregulation drive (e.g., EO 14192). Supporters argue this curbs red tape and improves coordination.[2]

•Immigration enforcement focus: Independent analysis indicates removals/deportations rose in 2025–26 versus the prior year, and CBP data show encounters have fallen from 2024 peaks—supporters frame this as restoring control and reducing strain on agencies.[3]

Where critics see harm

•Politicization of the civil service: EO 14171 (Jan. 20, 2025) revived a “Schedule F”-style category (now “Schedule Policy/Career”) that makes it easier to reclassify and remove career officials in policy‑influencing roles. OPM finalized implementing rules in 2026, but multiple lawsuits from federal‑employee groups are pending, arguing this undermines merit protections.[4]

•Hiring freeze and capacity constraints: The administration imposed a government‑wide civilian hiring freeze on Jan. 20, 2025 and extended it into mid‑2025, with agency‑by‑agency exemptions. Critics say freezes degrade service delivery and hollow out expertise.[5]

•Public confidence and perceived ethics: Surveys in 2025–26 found more Americans say Trump is making the way the federal government works worse, and a majority say ethics and honesty in government have declined during his term. Broader trust in federal institutions also remains near historic lows.[6]

•Fiscal picture: Projected federal deficits remain elevated (CBO’s February 2026 baseline put the FY2026 deficit at about 5.8% of GDP, above the 50‑year average), which critics argue undercuts claims of “efficiency.”[7]

What to make of it

•If “improving” means centralizing control, accelerating deregulatory priorities, and pushing agencies toward a single digital portal, then yes—the administration has moved the government in that direction.[1]

•If “improving” means strengthening nonpartisan capacity, procedural safeguards, workforce stability, public trust, and long‑run fiscal sustainability, the evidence so far points the other way or is at least highly contested.[8]

If you tell me which aspect you care about—service delivery, rulemaking, civil service, immigration administration, or the budget—I can go deeper on that slice.[9]

Citations (9)

1govinfo.govGovernment
Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 190 (Friday, October 2, 2026)
Backs: “The White House and GSA say this should simplify access and reduce duplication across agency websites.”
2whitehouse.govGovernment
Centralized Review. EO 14215 seeks to ensure Presidential supervision of the Executive Branch. EO 14215 amends Executive Order 12866 (EO 12866), Regulatory Planning and Review, to include historically independent regulatory agencies. Pursuant to EO 12866 these agencies must now participate in centralized regulatory review led by the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), within the Office of Management and Budget. All agencies not explicitly exempted by EO 12866, as amended by EO 14215, are subject to the requirements of EO 12866, including submission of draft regulatory actions to OIRA prior to publication in the Federal Register.
Backs: “Supporters argue this curbs red tape and improves coordination.”
3migrationpolicy.orgNonprofits and think tanks
Deportations During First 18 Months of Trump Administration Reach Highest Level in Years, Albeit Short of All-Time Highs | Migration Policy Institute
Backs: “Independent analysis indicates removals/deportations rose in 2025–26 versus the prior year, and CBP data show encounters have fallen from 2024 peaks—supporters frame this as restoring control and reducing strain on agencies.”
4govinfo.govGovernment
DCPD-202500138 - Executive Order 14171—Restoring Accountability to Policy-Influencing Positions Within the Federal Workforce - DCPD-202500138 | Content Details | GovInfo
Backs: “OPM finalized implementing rules in 2026, but multiple lawsuits from federal‑employee groups are pending, arguing this undermines merit protections.”
5opm.govGovernment
Memorandum to Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies: Federal Civilian Hiring Freeze Guidance
Backs: “Critics say freezes degrade service delivery and hollow out expertise.”
6pewresearch.orgNonprofits and think tanks
Views of Trump’s policies and confidence in ability to handle issues | Pew Research Center
Backs: “Broader trust in federal institutions also remains near historic lows.”
7house.govGovernment
CBO Baseline February 2026
Backs: “Projected federal deficits remain elevated (CBO’s February 2026 baseline put the FY2026 deficit at about 5.8% of GDP, above the 50‑year average), which critics argue undercuts claims of “efficiency.””
8federalnewsnetwork.comNews and mediaquality 0.93
Lawsuit contends Schedule Policy/Career exceeds presidential authority | Federal News Network
Backs: “If “improving” means strengthening nonpartisan capacity, procedural safeguards, workforce stability, public trust, and long‑run fiscal sustainability, the evidence so far points the other way or is at least highly contested.”
9thefederalregister.orgLow provenance
Streamlining Access to Government Services Through America.gov | 91 FR 63121
Backs: “If you tell me which aspect you care about—service delivery, rulemaking, civil service, immigration administration, or the budget—I can go deeper on that slice.”