A new survey conducted by the Napolitan Institute paints a stark picture of the deep partisan chasm dividing the federal bureaucracy in the early months of the Trump administration’s second term.
The study, titled “The Resistance: The First 100 Days,” surveyed 500 Federal Government Managers, 1,000 members of the “Elite One Percent,” and 1,000 Registered Voters nationwide between March 18th and March 25th, 2025, revealing significant disagreements on key policy initiatives.
The findings highlight a bureaucracy where partisan loyalties heavily influence the perspectives of Federal Government Managers.
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For instance, a majority of Republican Managers (52%) believe President Trump’s efforts to deport undocumented immigrants have not gone far enough, while a contrasting 56% of Democratic Managers think these efforts have gone too far.
Similar partisan divides were evident on issues such as budget cuts, with 48% of Republican Managers stating the “DOGE cuts” didn’t go far enough compared to 60% of Democrats who felt they went too far.
Perhaps more concerning is the survey’s finding that a significant portion of Democratic Federal Government Managers express a willingness to resist the current administration.
A striking 76% of Managers who voted for Kamala Harris indicated they would resist the Trump administration, and only 16% would follow a legal order from the president if they disagreed with it. This level of resistance appears entrenched, showing little change from a December survey conducted during the presidential transition.
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While the partisan divide within the federal bureaucracy is pronounced, the survey also uncovered an unexpected alignment between the “Elite One Percent,” Republican Managers, and Democratic Managers on the issue of regulation.
All three groups tend to favor more government regulation and control, a view that stands in stark contrast to the majority of Registered Voters who believe less regulation would be better for the economy. This alignment extends to other areas, with previous research indicating shared views on topics like social media monitoring and gun ownership restrictions.
The “Elite One Percent,” defined by the Napolitan Institute as individuals with postgraduate degrees, earning over $150,000 annually, and living in densely populated areas, largely favored Kamala Harris in the 2024 election (62% vs. 34% for Trump).
While initial openness to supporting the new administration has softened, this group generally aligns with the views of Democratic Federal Government Managers on issues like the scope of deportations and budget cuts, often believing the administration has gone “too far.”
“Our research confirms that the Administrative State is not composed of thoughtful, nonpartisan experts who are making neutral decisions for voters,” said Scott Rasmussen, founder of the Napolitan Institute. “The deep partisan divide within the federal bureaucracy and the shifting public opinion present significant challenges for the current administration. However, the silver lining is that with such high levels of chaos in this bureaucratic ‘civil war’, there may be an opening for the common sense voice of the American people to rise above the political noise and once again become the shaping force of the nation’s dialogue.”
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The public display of partisan battles within the bureaucracy could increase public awareness and lead to calls for greater oversight. Furthermore, the internal divisions within the Administrative State might create an opportunity for the voices of everyday Americans to be heard more clearly.
The Napolitan Institute’s findings underscore the challenges the Trump administration may face in implementing its agenda, given the significant partisan divide and reported resistance within the federal bureaucracy. The study also raises broader questions about the neutrality and responsiveness of the administrative state to the elected leadership and the American people.
The surveys were completed before President Trump’s announcement on tariffs.
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