Americans See Government as Corrupt but Are Divided on DOGE’s Cost-Cutting Mission

Most Americans believe the federal government is wasteful, inefficient, and corrupt—yet when it comes to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and its mission to trim federal spending, support is lukewarm at best.

Recent polls reveal that while corruption and inefficiency are widely recognized problems, many Americans—particularly Democrats—are reluctant to embrace DOGE’s approach to reducing government. Meanwhile, Republicans and independents, though generally supportive of cost-cutting, are hesitant to give up certain federal programs.

Corrupt and Inefficient: What Americans Really Think

Polls from Pew Research, Chapman University, and A.P.-NORC paint a grim picture of how Americans view their government:

• 56% say the government is “almost always wasteful and inefficient” (Pew Research)
• 70% believe corruption is a major problem (A.P.-NORC)
• 65% see inefficiency as a major issue
• 59% say bureaucracy and red tape are significant concerns

Despite this overwhelming dissatisfaction, DOGE’s approval ratings remain modest:

• A YouGov/The Economist poll found that 39% of Americans have a favorable view of DOGE, while 36% view it unfavorably.
• A Trafalgar Group survey showed 49% approval of DOGE and its cost-cutting measures, with 44% disapproving.

Why Isn’t DOGE More Popular?

One major factor is partisanship. Historically, public support for government reform depends on which party is in power.

• Republicans are far more likely to support DOGE’s efforts, while Democrats are skeptical.
• Independents are divided, reflecting broader uncertainty about the trade-offs of shrinking government.

Another key issue is ideological differences over the role of government.

• 49% of Americans prefer a smaller government with fewer services
• 48% favor a larger government providing more services

Democratic support for expanding government has grown, from 49% in 1976 to 74% today. Meanwhile, Republicans have consistently favored smaller government—but still support funding for programs like Social Security and defense.

Do Americans Trust Government Workers?

The debate over DOGE also highlights shifting attitudes toward federal employees.

• Only 38% of Republicans express confidence in federal career employees—down 10 points from 2018.
• 72% of Democrats trust federal workers—7 points higher than in 2022.

This suggests that while both parties agree the government is inefficient, Democrats tend to trust the people running it, while Republicans see them as part of the problem.

Republicans Want Cuts—But Not to Their Programs

While Republicans favor a smaller government, polling shows they still want funding for certain programs:

• Majorities in both parties support increased spending on Social Security, Medicare, and education.
• Republicans also favor more spending on border security and the military.
• Democrats want more funding for Medicaid and social assistance programs.

This contradiction—wanting a smaller government but still demanding funding for key programs—makes DOGE’s mission even more complicated.

The Bottom Line: Americans Are Torn on DOGE

DOGE faces resistance from Democrats, who acknowledge government flaws but still support its expansion. It also struggles with Republicans and independents, who want less government in theory but resist cuts to their favorite programs.

Ultimately, while Americans overwhelmingly see the federal government as corrupt and inefficient, their divided priorities explain why support for DOGE remains lukewarm.

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