Is Donald Trump improving the US government?

Both sidesSays it is contested

Short answer: It depends on what you mean by “improving.” On most measurable indicators since Donald Trump returned to the presidency on January 20, 2025, the record is mixed—some changes align with goals like shrinking and centralizing the federal workforce and tightening border controls, while others coincide with persistent deficits, higher policy churn, and lower public trust.[1]

What’s gotten “better” (to many Trump supporters)

•Border enforcement and encounters: The administration reinstated Remain in Mexico and other restrictions; recorded encounters at the southwest border have fallen sharply compared with recent years. Independent trackers and CRS summaries note large year-over-year declines beginning in early 2025, though methods and humanitarian tradeoffs are contested.[2]

•Faster permitting/less regulation: The White House moved to rescind CEQ’s NEPA regulations and roll back methane rules for oil and gas. Supporters say this accelerates energy and infrastructure projects by cutting red tape.[3]

•A leaner federal workforce and stronger executive control: OPM implemented rules to reclassify or remove more policy‑influencing positions and the workforce fell by roughly 10% in 2025, consistent with the administration’s “right‑sizing” aims.[4]

What’s gotten “worse” (to many critics)

•Fiscal picture: CBO estimates show the federal deficit at about $1.8 trillion in FY2025 and roughly $2.0 trillion in FY2026—still very high despite policy shifts.[5]

•Inflation and growth backdrop: As of September 2026, CPI inflation remains elevated by historical standards and unemployment is 4.2%; 2025 real GDP growth was about 2.1%. These aren’t solely “government” metrics, but they frame perceptions of performance.[6]

•Environmental protection and enforcement: Independent analyses find EPA civil enforcement activity fell to multi‑year lows in 2025; critics warn rollbacks (e.g., methane) will raise pollution—supporters disagree.[7]

•Policy instability and litigation: Several headline initiatives (e.g., broad tariff programs and workforce rules) have faced significant court pushback or modification, contributing to uncertainty in agencies and markets.[8]

•Public trust: Gallup and AP‑NORC surveys show trust in the federal government and confidence in federal information have declined in 2026 versus recent years, especially among non‑Republicans.[9]

Bottom line

•If “improving” means a smaller, more centralized executive branch with faster permitting and stricter border control, you can point to clear movement in that direction.

•If it means better service capacity, environmental protections, lower deficits, more policy stability, or broader public trust, the evidence points the other way.

If you tell me which outcomes you care about—efficiency, costs/deficits, service delivery, rule of law/independence, environment, immigration, or public trust—I can drill down with the latest data for that area.

Citations (9)

1usa.govGovernment
Presidents, vice presidents, and first ladies | USAGov
Backs: “It depends on what you mean by “improving.” On most measurable indicators since Donald Trump returned to the presidency on January 20, 2025, the record is mixed—some changes align with goals like shrinking and centralizing the federal workforce and tightening border controls, while others coincide with persistent…”
background, reference entry, neutral. Claim: Trump returned to the presidency on January 20, 2025; the record on improving government is mixed.
2everycrsreport.comEncyclopedias and referencequality 0.91
Recent White House Actions on Immigration - EveryCRSReport.com
Backs: “Independent trackers and CRS summaries note large year-over-year declines beginning in early 2025, though methods and humanitarian tradeoffs are contested.”
evidence, official document, points to yes. Claim: Remain in Mexico reinstated and southwest border encounters have fallen sharply, though methods and humanitarian tradeoffs are contested.
3nepa.govGovernment
History of CEQ’s NEPA Regulations | NEPA/CEQ
Backs: “Supporters say this accelerates energy and infrastructure projects by cutting red tape.”
evidence, official document, points to yes. Claim: White House moved to rescind CEQ's NEPA regulations, which supporters say speeds energy and infrastructure projects.
4opm.govGovernment
OPM Finalizes Schedule Policy/Career Rule to Strengthen Accountability
Backs: “OPM implemented rules to reclassify or remove more policy‑influencing positions and the workforce fell by roughly 10% in 2025, consistent with the administration’s “right‑sizing” aims.”
evidence, official document, points to yes. Claim: OPM implemented rules to reclassify or remove more policy-influencing positions; workforce fell roughly 10% in 2025.
5cbo.govGovernment
Monthly Budget Review: September 2025 | Congressional Budget Office
Backs: “CBO estimates show the federal deficit at about $1.8 trillion in FY2025 and roughly $2.0 trillion in FY2026—still very high despite policy shifts.”
statistic, official document, points to no. Claim: CBO estimates deficit of about $1.8 trillion in FY2025 and roughly $2.0 trillion in FY2026.
6bls.govGovernment
Consumer Price Index News Release - 2026 M09 Results
Backs: “These aren’t solely “government” metrics, but they frame perceptions of performance.”
statistic, data page, points to no. Claim: CPI inflation remains elevated, unemployment is 4.2%, and 2025 real GDP growth was about 2.1%.
7investing.comNews and mediaquality 0.54
US environmental enforcement by Trump’s EPA drops to record low By Reuters
Backs: “Independent analyses find EPA civil enforcement activity fell to multi‑year lows in 2025; critics warn rollbacks (e.g., methane) will raise pollution—supporters disagree.”
evidence, article, points to no. Claim: EPA civil enforcement activity fell to multi-year lows in 2025.
8justia.comEncyclopedias and reference
Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump | 607 U.S. ___ (2026) | Justia U.S. Supreme Court Center
Backs: “Several headline initiatives (e.g., broad tariff programs and workforce rules) have faced significant court pushback or modification, contributing to uncertainty in agencies and markets.”
evidence, official document, points to no. Claim: Headline initiatives such as broad tariff programs faced significant court pushback, contributing to policy uncertainty.
9gallup.comCompanies
Trust in Federal Government Sinks to New Depths
Backs: “Gallup and AP‑NORC surveys show trust in the federal government and confidence in federal information have declined in 2026 versus recent years, especially among non‑Republicans.”
evidence, article, points to no. Claim: Trust in the federal government has declined in 2026 versus recent years, especially among non-Republicans.