Majority of Americans Express Dislike Toward DOGE, According to Poll

In a recent survey conducted by NORC, an independent research affiliate of the University of Chicago, a stark partisan divide was observed in the opinions about the Trump administration's efforts to restructure government operations.

The survey, which was carried out from April 18-20, revealed that majorities of nearly 2-1 said that governmental operations are worse than they were a year ago and that agency management is headed in the wrong direction. However, among Republican respondents, 60% think governmental operations have improved since last year, and 69% agreed that federal management is headed in the right direction.

The survey results also highlighted a significant partisan split in opinions about the Trump administration's changes to the federal workforce. According to the analysis, 57% of Americans agree that these changes will have a negative effect on the American people, while 32% rated them positively. This contrasts sharply with the opinions of Republicans, 71% of whom said Trump's changes have been positive, compared with 17% that rated them negatively. In contrast, 88% of Democrats said Trump's overhauls have had a negative effect.

The Trump administration's first 100 days have been a subject of intense scrutiny, and the survey results reflect this divisiveness. Max Stier, the president and CEO of The Partnership for Public Service, a nonpartisan good government organization, stated that the Trump administration's first 100 days have been catastrophic for services to the American people, taxpayer value, and effective government.

Elon Musk, a notable figure in the Trump administration, served as the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a group aimed at reducing federal bureaucracy and implementing Trump's agenda. Musk was active in this role primarily around the time Trump took office, from early 2021 onwards, with Musk eventually stepping back amid conflicts between Trump’s policies and Musk’s business interests. DOGE operated under the Trump administration, involved in dismantling agencies and cutting staff, notably around 2021-2025.

However, opinions about Musk's role in the administration were mixed. During a Cabinet meeting, Trump praised Musk, stating that the vast majority of people in the country respect and appreciate him. In contrast, a March Fox News poll found that 58% of respondents disapproved of Musk's work at DOGE, compared with 40% who approved. According to an NBC survey in March, more Americans feel negatively than positively about Musk's work at DOGE.

The survey results were balanced by sex, age, education, race/ethnicity, and region, providing a comprehensive overview of the American public's opinions on the Trump administration's government overhaul. The Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll of U.S. adults in April reported that 56% said layoffs of government employees have gone too far and 57% said the same for closing federal agencies.

The Partnership for Public Service's analysis of survey data on the Trump administration's efforts to slash government programs and remove federal employees offers a valuable insight into the public's perception of the administration's first 100 days. As the administration continues to shape the future of government operations, these findings serve as a reminder of the need for balanced and effective policy-making.