Topline
Most of President Donald Trump’s signature policies are unpopular with Americans, according to recent polls, including a Washington Post-Ipsos survey that found 57% believe Trump has exceeded his authority as the president has issued a flurry of executive orders at breakneck pace, many of which face lawsuits to stop them from taking effect.
President Donald Trump speaks with journalists on board Air Force One on February 19, 2025. (Photo … [+]
Key Facts
Of the eight Trump policies the Washington Post-Ipsos survey asked about, his pardoning of people convicted of violent crimes in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots was the least popular, with just 14% overall saying they approve, including just 32% of Republicans, though his pardoning of people convicted of nonviolent crimes was more widely accepted, with 42% overall approving (the survey of about 1,300 U.S. adults was taken Feb. 13-18 and has a 3-point margin of error).
The Justice Department’s decision to drop federal corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams—which critics argue could lead to a quid pro quo situation between Adams and the Trump administration—is also deeply unpopular, according to an Economist/YouGov survey that found just 18% strongly or somewhat support the move (the survey of 1,603 U.S. adults was taken Feb. 16-18 and has a 3-point margin of error).
Less than half support all 11 policies The Economist/YouGov poll asked about, including renaming the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America” (30% strongly or somewhat support) firing hundreds of thousands of federal workers (34%) and banning the use of paper straws in federal facilities (32%).
Immigration policy received the highest marks in three recent surveys: 51% of Washington Post-Ipsos poll respondents said they approve of his attempt to deport 11 million undocumented migrants, 41% in the Economist/YouGov survey said they approve of his suspension of refugee resettlement and 46% of respondents to a Feb. 3-16 Gallup poll said they approve of his immigration policies (the Gallup poll of 1,004 U.S. adults has a 4-point margin of error).
Of the three recent surveys, only the Economist/YouGov found more respondents (50%) approve of Trump’s handling of the presidency than disapprove (45%), while Gallup recorded a 45%-51% approve/disapprove rating and the Washington Post-Ipsos poll found 43% support and 48% oppose of Trump’s first month in office.
The Washington Post-Ipsos poll also found 57% of respondents believe Trump has exceeded his authority since taking office.
Surprising Fact
Trump’s job approval rating is 15 points lower than the historical average for all other presidents since 1953 in mid-February of their new terms, according to Gallup, but is five points higher than in mid-February of Trump’s first term.
Big Number
40%. That’s Trump’s job approval rating in mid-February of his first term. Biden had a 56% approval rating at the same point in 2021.
Key Background
Trump has signed 68 executive orders during his first 100 days in office since his term began on Jan. 20, according to the Federal Register, including initiatives to shut down all diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the federal government, the suspension of most U.S. foreign aid, the elimination of birthright citizenship and a federal spending freeze. Many of the initiatives face lawsuits and some have been temporarily blocked by the courts, including his foreign aid freeze and the end of birthright citizenship. The Trump administration, with the help of the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency, has sought to slash government spending with mass layoffs across numerous agencies, with the most recent reported staff cuts at the Transportation Security Administration. Several agencies have also been virtually shut down entirely, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and U.S. Agency for International Development, though a federal judge recently blocked the administration from placing USAID employees on leave. The Trump administration also offered buyouts to workers at most federal agencies that 75,000 employees had accepted as of Feb. 12. The Washington Post-Ipsos survey found 39% approve of his push to lay off large numbers of federal government workers.
Further Reading
Here’s Where Trump’s Government Layoffs Are—TSA, HUD And More (Forbes)
Trump’s Federal Worker Buyout Pause Lifted: Here’s What To Know As 75,000 Workers Accept Offer (Forbes)
