Approval of President Donald Trump’s management of the federal government has fallen sharply since early in his second term, with much of the decline coming from Republicans and independents, according to a new AP-NORC poll.
The survey, conducted after Democrats’ recent off-year election victories but before Congress took steps to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, found that only 33% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s management, down from 43% in March. Among Republicans, approval dropped from 81% to 68%, while independents’ support fell from 38% to 25%.
The poll highlights growing dissatisfaction amid the shutdown, which left federal workers unpaid, disrupted air travel, and temporarily halted some food aid. Trump and his administration largely blamed Democrats, though many Americans assigned at least partial responsibility to both parties.
Despite the decline in approval on government management, Trump’s overall presidential approval remained steady at 36%, similar to 37% in October. Ratings on key issues such as immigration and the economy also showed little change. Health care approval stayed low at 34%, up slightly from 31% the previous month.
Several Republicans voiced concern over Trump’s handling of the shutdown. Beverly Lucas, a 78-year-old retired educator from Florida, criticized the president for hosting a Mar-a-Lago Halloween party amid the crisis, calling it “callous” and likening his leadership to “a petulant child in the White House.”
Meanwhile, Democrats remain overwhelmingly disapproving, with 95% saying they disapprove of Trump’s government management, up from 89% in March.
Some supporters continue to back the president. Susan McDuffie, a 74-year-old Republican from Nevada, expressed confidence in Trump, blaming Democrats for the shutdown and related hardships, including SNAP benefit disruptions.
Many Americans, including moderates, said both parties share blame. Nora Bailey, 33, from Arkansas, said the federal government had not done enough to tackle inefficiency and expressed frustration over delays in services affecting herself and her disabled parents.
The poll suggests that while Trump’s overall approval remains stable, the public’s disapproval of his management of government operations has grown, reflecting broader concerns about the shutdown and administrative decisions.