Pew Research: Partisan Gap Widens in Confidence Toward Federal Civil Servants
A recent Pew Research Center survey highlights a growing partisan gap in how Americans perceive federal career employees. The study, conducted in early 2025, reveals that while 55% of Americans overall express confidence in federal civil servants, political affiliation significantly shapes these views.
Democrats Show Increasing Confidence, Republicans Remain Skeptical
Among Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, confidence in career government employees has risen to 72%—a 7-point increase from 2022.
In stark contrast, only 38% of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents express confidence in federal employees. This figure has remained unchanged since 2022 but reflects a 10-point decline from 2018.
Sharp Differences Among Conservative and Moderate Republicans
The divide is especially pronounced among conservative Republicans, with 70% expressing little to no confidence in federal civil servants. However, among moderate and liberal Republicans, views are more balanced: 51% express confidence, while 48% lack confidence in career government employees.
On the Democratic side, confidence remains high across ideological lines. Liberal Democrats (77%) and moderate/conservative Democrats (69%) both display strong trust in federal employees.
Views on Presidential Appointees Shift with Political Power
The survey also explored attitudes toward presidential appointees, revealing that confidence in these officials shifts depending on which party controls the White House.
Currently, with a Republican president in office, 71% of Republicans express confidence in presidential appointees, while only 22% of Democrats share this view. This marks a dramatic reversal from 2022, when Joe Biden was president and the confidence levels were nearly the opposite.
Implications for Governance and Public Trust
This declining trust in civil servants presents a serious challenge for effective governance. Career federal employees play essential roles in implementing policies, maintaining government operations, and providing critical services, regardless of which party holds power.
A widespread loss of confidence in these institutions can have significant consequences, including:
Reduced compliance with government programs
Difficulty in recruiting and retaining skilled public servants
Increased political pressure on traditionally nonpartisan functions
As the federal workforce becomes increasingly politicized, the stability and effectiveness of government operationscould be compromised—impacting everything from processing Social Security benefits to ensuring food safety.
The continued polarization of attitudes toward government employees raises important questions about the future of public trust, institutional integrity, and the ability of civil servants to function effectively in a divided political landscape.