Is Donald Trump improving the US government?

Short answer: It depends on what you mean by “improving.” On some management and policy metrics the Trump administration has made big, visible changes since January 20, 2025; on others, watchdogs and data show setbacks for government capacity, oversight, and public trust.

A few concrete, recent datapoints to help you judge:

•Management of the federal workforce

•Hiring and staffing: The White House extended a government‑wide hiring freeze in 2025 and directed agencies to replace at most 1 worker for every 4 who leave (with limited exceptions). GAO and DoD documents show sizeable 2025–2026 reductions and slower hiring, with measurable mission risks at agencies like DoD and FEMA. Some provisions (e.g., parts of EO 14210) faced court injunctions.[1]

•Return‑to‑office and telework: On day one (Jan 20, 2025) the President ordered a near‑full return to in‑person work; OPM and OMB issued implementation guidance and a revised federal telework manual. IGs report agencies enforcing the policy. Supporters argue this improves accountability; critics warn of recruiting/retention costs.[2]

•Civil service reclassification: The administration revived and revised a version of “Schedule F” as “Schedule Policy/Career,” easing reassignment or removal for certain policy‑influencing jobs; OPM finalized a rule in Feb 2026. Proponents say this boosts accountability; skeptics say it risks politicizing the career service.[3]

•Oversight and guardrails

•Inspectors general: Multiple outlets and a watchdog group report large numbers of IG firings/vacancies and concerns about reduced independence—changes that experts warn can weaken protection against waste, fraud, and abuse. GAO has also flagged Vacancies Act problems in at least one IG office.[4]

•Service delivery and operations

•Immigration system: CBP and independent trackers report encounters at the southern border falling to historic lows in 2025–2026 amid tougher enforcement; deportations have increased (though not always to stated targets). Immigration courts have been completing cases faster and the pending‑case backlog has shrunk from early‑2025 peaks, though AP and legal‑aid groups also describe due‑process concerns tied to accelerated dockets.[5]

•Finances and macro context

•Budgets and deficits: Despite an emphasis on cutting “waste,” the federal deficit for FY2026 is about $1.9–$2.0 trillion, with record‑high net interest costs as a share of GDP—driven by structural factors and rates as much as policy.[6]

•Economy: As of September 2026, unemployment is roughly 4.2%, year‑over‑year inflation about 3.7%, and real GDP growth was 1.5% annualized in Q2—mixed conditions that affect how effective government feels, even beyond internal reforms.[7]

•Confidence and morale

•Public trust and employee engagement: National polls in 2026 show trust in the federal government at or near historic lows. After OPM canceled the 2025 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, an independent survey reported sharply lower engagement across agencies. Lower morale can translate into slower service and higher turnover.[8]

How to think about “improvement”

•If you prioritize stricter border control, in‑person federal work, and faster ability to reassign or remove policy‑influencing civil servants, you may see improvement.

•If you prioritize robust independent oversight, workforce stability, due process, and broad public trust as core to effective government, the evidence points the other way.

If you tell me which outcomes matter most to you (e.g., border enforcement, customer service speed, fiscal discipline, civil‑service professionalism, or trust/legitimacy), I can assess those dimensions more directly.

Citations (8)

1govinfo.govGovernment
DCPD202500496
Backs: “Some provisions (e.g., parts of EO 14210) faced court injunctions.”
2govinfo.govGovernment
Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2025
Backs: “Supporters argue this improves accountability; critics warn of recruiting/retention costs.”
3opm.govGovernment
OPM Finalizes Schedule Policy/Career Rule to Strengthen Accountability
Backs: “Proponents say this boosts accountability; skeptics say it risks politicizing the career service.”
4washingtonpost.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
Under Trump, government inspectors general are losing independence - The Washington Post
Backs: “GAO has also flagged Vacancies Act problems in at least one IG office.”
5axios.comNews and mediaquality 0.90
Illegal border crossings hit decades low under Trump crackdown
Backs: “Immigration courts have been completing cases faster and the pending‑case backlog has shrunk from early‑2025 peaks, though AP and legal‑aid groups also describe due‑process concerns tied to accelerated dockets.”
6cbo.govGovernment
The Budget and Economic Outlook: 2026 to 2036 | Congressional Budget Office
Backs: “Despite an emphasis on cutting “waste,” the federal deficit for FY2026 is about $1.9–$2.0 trillion, with record‑high net interest costs as a share of GDP—driven by structural factors and rates as much as policy.”
7bls.govGovernment
Employment Situation News Release - 2026 M09 Results
Backs: “As of September 2026, unemployment is roughly 4.2%, year‑over‑year inflation about 3.7%, and real GDP growth was 1.5% annualized in Q2—mixed conditions that affect how effective government feels, even beyond internal reforms.”
8gallup.comCompanies
Trust in Federal Government Sinks to New Depths
Backs: “Lower morale can translate into slower service and higher turnover.”