A new national poll by Quinnipiac University reveals widespread dissatisfaction with the functioning of the U.S. government’s system of checks and balances, with a majority of voters expressing concerns about its effectiveness. The poll, released on February 17, 2025, also highlights stark partisan divides over the performance of Congress, President Donald Trump, and key policy issues.
According to the poll, only 38% of registered voters believe the system of checks and balances between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches is working well, while 54% say it is not functioning effectively. The findings reflect deep concerns about the stability and functionality of the federal government.
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The partisan divide is striking: 57% of Republicans believe the system is working well, compared to just 14% of Democrats. Independents fall in the middle, with 41% expressing confidence in the system and 52% saying it is not working well.
“In a perfect world, the three great pillars of U.S. government stand firm, functional, and aligned with the Constitution. It’s clear at the moment that registered voters sense dysfunction,” said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.
The poll also found historically low approval ratings for Democrats in Congress, with only 21% of voters approving of their performance—the lowest level since Quinnipiac began tracking the metric in 2009. Meanwhile, Republicans in Congress reached a record-high approval rating of 40%, though a majority (52%) still disapprove of their performance.
“It’s a sobering slap down of historic proportions for the Democrats in Congress. Their Republican counterparts take a victory lap as the Democrats try to get their footing,” Malloy added.
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President Donald Trump’s approval rating remains steady at 45%, with 49% disapproving of his job performance. The poll shows strong partisan loyalty, with 90% of Republicans approving of Trump and 95% of Democrats disapproving. Independents are split, with 43% approving and 50% disapproving.
Voters were also asked about Trump’s handling of specific issues:
- Immigration: 46% approve, 49% disapprove.
- The Economy: 44% approve, 48% disapprove.
- Foreign Policy: 44% approve, 48% disapprove.
- Trade: 42% approve, 49% disapprove.
- Israel-Hamas Conflict: 38% approve, 47% disapprove.
The poll also examined public opinion on Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur who has played a prominent role in the Trump administration. A majority of voters (55%) believe Musk has too much power in making decisions affecting the U.S., while 36% say he has the right amount of power. Partisan differences are stark: 96% of Democrats think Musk has too much power, compared to just 16% of Republicans.
Voters also disapprove of Musk’s prominent role in the Trump administration by a margin of 54% to 42%.
Two weeks after President Trump proposed a plan for the U.S. to take control of Gaza, the poll found little support for the idea. Only 22% of voters back the proposal, while 62% oppose it. Republicans are the most supportive (49% in favor), but even among GOP voters, 32% oppose the plan. Democrats (94%) and independents (66%) overwhelmingly reject the idea.
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“The grand plan to transform a shattered Gaza into a lavish American restoration project on the Mediterranean has many more skeptics than supporters,” Malloy noted.
Inflation remains a top concern for voters, with 64% calling it a “very serious problem.” Voters are evenly split on whether Trump’s policies will help or hurt the nation’s economy, with 44% saying they will help and 44% saying they will hurt. A majority (51%) believe Trump’s tariffs will harm the U.S. economy, while 40% think they will help.
The poll also explored attitudes toward diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the workplace. A majority of voters (53%) believe these policies are a good thing for organizations, while 38% say they are a bad thing. Support is strongest among Democrats (76%) and independents (54%), while Republicans are more likely to view DEI policies negatively (59%).
Despite the concerns, 40% of voters say they are satisfied with the way things are going in the nation—the highest level of satisfaction since September 2019. However, a majority (58%) remain dissatisfied, with 42% saying they are “very dissatisfied.”
The Quinnipiac University Poll surveyed 1,039 self-identified registered voters nationwide from February 13 to 17, 2025, with a margin of error of +/- 3.0 percentage points. The poll, directed by Doug Schwartz, Ph.D., adheres to industry best practices and uses probability-based samples.
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