President Trump’s second term is entering a period of heightened political strain, as a new national survey reveals widening dissatisfaction with his leadership, declining confidence across key measures of governance, and mounting resistance from voters outside his core base. The findings suggest an administration facing not only opposition from Democrats, but also softening enthusiasm and growing unease among Republicans and independents at a pivotal moment in the presidency.
The latest data, released by the Pew Research Center, paints a picture of an electorate that is increasingly skeptical of the direction of the country and the president’s role in shaping it. More than two-thirds of Americans now say they disapprove of how Trump is handling his job, reflecting a notable shift since the early months of his return to office last year.
At the heart of this shift is a sense of unmet expectations. According to the survey, half of Americans say the administration’s actions since taking office have turned out worse than they anticipated. By contrast, just over one-fifth say Trump’s actions have exceeded their expectations, while roughly a quarter believe his performance has aligned with what they originally expected. The imbalance underscores a growing perception that the president’s second-term agenda has failed to reassure a broad swath of the public.
This dissatisfaction is not limited to policy outcomes alone. The poll indicates a broader erosion of confidence in Trump’s leadership qualities, including his judgment, temperament, and fitness for office. Respondents expressed declining confidence in his leadership skills, as well as in his mental and physical fitness—areas that have historically been sensitive topics in assessments of presidential performance.
Concerns also extend to ethical standards and democratic norms. Confidence in Trump’s respect for U.S. democratic values, his ability to select capable advisers, and his willingness to act ethically while in office has dropped compared with last year. These measures, while already relatively low at the start of his second term, have continued to slide, signaling persistent doubts about the administration’s approach to power and governance.
While partisan divisions remain stark, the survey highlights subtle but important shifts within Trump’s own party. Republican support for the president remains strong overall, but it has declined modestly since the fall. That erosion, though limited in scale, has had an outsized effect on broader confidence metrics, particularly regarding ethics and trustworthiness. The percentage of Republicans who say they are extremely or very confident that Trump acts ethically has fallen significantly since early 2025, contributing to a broader drop in overall public confidence.
It is in the middle of this broader landscape of dissatisfaction that the poll delivers its most striking headline figure: Trump’s approval rating now stands at 37 percent, down three points from last fall. The number reflects not only entrenched Democratic opposition—nearly all Democrats surveyed disapprove of the president’s performance—but also weakening support among independents, a group that has proven decisive in recent elections.
Independents, in particular, appear increasingly alienated by the administration’s recent actions and rhetoric. The survey shows that approval among this group has declined in recent weeks, coinciding with intensified criticism of the administration’s handling of immigration enforcement. Immigration, long a defining issue of Trump’s political identity, is now emerging as a liability rather than a unifying cause.
Only about a quarter of Americans now say they support all or most of Trump’s policies, a noticeable drop from the early days of his second term. Researchers note that this decline is driven largely by Republicans, suggesting that even among supporters, enthusiasm for the administration’s policy agenda is waning. This trend points to a presidency that, while still commanding loyalty from its base, is struggling to expand or even maintain that coalition.
The political context surrounding the poll adds further weight to its findings. The survey was conducted during a period of heightened national tension over immigration enforcement, including a fatal shooting in Minneapolis involving a U.S. Border Patrol agent. The killing, which marked the second fatal encounter involving federal law enforcement officers in the city this month, sparked protests and renewed scrutiny of the administration’s deportation tactics.
Democrats have seized on the incident as evidence of what they describe as reckless and overly aggressive enforcement policies. The administration’s response to the killings has drawn sharp criticism, with opponents arguing that it reflects a broader pattern of disregard for accountability and restraint. These concerns spilled over into Congress, where Senate Democrats blocked a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security, citing insufficient safeguards to rein in Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The move brought the federal government closer to a partial shutdown and underscored the depth of the standoff between the White House and Democratic leadership.
The Pew poll suggests that Democratic voters overwhelmingly support this confrontational approach. More than four out of five Democrats surveyed say their congressional leaders should stand up to Trump, even if doing so makes it harder to address what the poll describes as “critical problems.” The finding highlights the extent to which opposition to the president has become a unifying force within the Democratic Party, shaping both strategy and voter expectations.
For Republicans, the picture is more complicated. While a strong majority still approve of Trump’s performance, a growing minority express doubts that were far less common at the start of his second term. The decline in confidence around ethics and leadership suggests internal tensions that could have long-term implications, particularly if dissatisfaction continues to grow or translates into reduced turnout.
The poll’s methodology lends weight to its conclusions. Conducted between January 20 and January 26, the survey included responses from 8,512 U.S. adults and carries a margin of error of 1.4 percentage points. The size and scope of the sample make it one of the more robust snapshots of public opinion during this phase of Trump’s presidency.
Taken together, the findings point to an administration facing a narrowing path forward. Trump remains a polarizing figure with deep support among loyalists, but the data suggests that his political standing is weakening at the margins—among independents, skeptical Republicans, and voters whose expectations have not been met. As legislative battles intensify and public scrutiny of federal enforcement actions grows, the president’s ability to regain broader confidence may prove increasingly difficult.
With months of his second term still ahead and major policy fights looming, the Pew poll serves as a warning sign rather than a final verdict. Whether the administration can reverse these trends will depend on its response to voter concerns, its handling of divisive issues like immigration, and its capacity to reassure a public that, for now, appears more doubtful than hopeful about the direction of the presidency.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
