Trust In The US Government Has Plunged From 77% To 17%

Over the past seven decades, Americans’ trust in the federal government has dropped from postwar highs to historic lows.

In 1964, 77% said they trusted Washington to do what is right most of the time.

As of September 2025, that figure stands at just 17%.

The chart below, via Visual Capitalist’s Niccolo Conte, tracks this long-term shift, using data from Pew Research Center.

While trust has occasionally surged during moments of national crisis, the broader trajectory shows a steady erosion across generations.

From Postwar Highs to Vietnam-Era Decline

Trust peaked in 1964, when 77% of Americans said they trusted the federal government most of the time. Even in 1958, nearly three-quarters of the public expressed confidence in the federal government.

That began to change in the late 1960s and early 1970s. By 1970, trust had fallen to 54%, and it slipped further to 36% by 1974 in the aftermath of Watergate.

The Vietnam War, political scandals, and economic turbulence reshaped public opinion for decades to come.

Date
Trust the government (%)
9/28/2025
17
2/9/2025
19
5/19/2024
18
6/11/2023
19
05/01/2022
20
4/11/2021
21
8/2/2020
24
4/12/2020
21
3/25/2019
17
12/04/2017
18
4/11/2017
19
10/04/2015
18
7/20/2014
19
2/26/2014
18
11/15/2013
20
10/13/2013
19
5/31/2013
20
02/06/2013
22
1/13/2013
23
10/31/2012
19
10/19/2011
17
10/04/2011
15
9/23/2011
18
8/21/2011
21
2/28/2011
23
10/21/2010
23
10/01/2010
21
09/06/2010
23
09/01/2010
23
04/05/2010
23
04/05/2010
22
3/21/2010
24
2/12/2010
22
02/05/2010
21
1/10/2010
20
12/20/2009
21
8/31/2009
22
6/12/2009
23
12/21/2008
25
10/15/2008
24
10/13/2008
24
07/09/2007
24
01/09/2007
28
10/08/2006
29
9/15/2006
30
02/05/2006
31
1/20/2006
33
01/06/2006
32
12/02/2005
32
9/11/2005
31
09/09/2005
30
6/19/2005
35
10/15/2004
39
7/15/2004
41
3/21/2004
38
10/26/2003
36
7/27/2003
43
10/15/2002
46
09/04/2002
46
09/02/2002
40
7/13/2002
40
6/17/2002
43
1/24/2002
46
12/07/2001
49
10/25/2001
54
10/06/2001
49
1/17/2001
44
10/31/2000
38
10/15/2000
42
07/09/2000
39
04/02/2000
38
2/14/2000
34
10/03/1999
36
9/14/1999
33
5/16/1999
33
2/21/1999
31
2/12/1999
32
02/04/1999
34
1/10/1999
34
01/03/1999
37
12/01/1998
33
11/15/1998
30
11/01/1998
26
10/26/1998
28
8/10/1998
31
2/22/1998
35
02/01/1998
33
1/25/1998
32
1/19/1998
32
10/31/1997
31
8/27/1997
31
06/01/1997
26
1/14/1997
27
11/02/1996
27
10/15/1996
28
5/12/1996
31
05/06/1996
29
11/19/1995
27
08/07/1995
22
08/05/1995
21
3/19/1995
20
2/22/1995
21
12/01/1994
21
10/29/1994
22
10/23/1994
20
06/06/1994
19
1/30/1994
20
1/20/1994
22
3/24/1993
25
1/17/1993
25
1/14/1993
25
10/23/1992
25
10/15/1992
25
06/08/1992
29
10/20/1991
35
03/06/1991
42
03/01/1991
46
1/27/1991
40
12/01/1990
33
10/28/1990
32
09/06/1990
35
1/16/1990
38
6/29/1989
39
1/15/1989
41
11/10/1988
43
10/15/1988
41
1/23/1988
40
10/18/1987
43
06/01/1987
43
03/01/1987
44
1/21/1987
43
1/19/1987
42
12/01/1986
44
11/30/1986
43
09/09/1986
44
1/19/1986
44
11/06/1985
43
7/29/1985
42
3/21/1985
40
2/27/1985
42
2/22/1985
45
11/14/1984
44
10/15/1984
41
12/01/1982
39
11/07/1980
32
10/15/1980
30
3/12/1980
27
11/03/1979
28
12/01/1978
31
10/23/1977
32
4/25/1977
34
10/15/1976
36
09/05/1976
35
6/15/1976
35
03/01/1976
34
02/08/1976
35
12/01/1974
36
10/15/1972
53
12/01/1970
54
10/15/1968
62
12/01/1966
65
10/15/1964
77
12/01/1958
73

Temporary Surges During National Crises

Although the long-term trend is downward, trust has occasionally rebounded during moments of national unity. After the 9/11 attacks, trust jumped from 44% to 54% in a matter of months. It was one of the last times a majority expressed confidence in Washington.

Similar, though smaller, increases occurred during other crises. In early 2020, trust briefly rose to 24% amid the COVID-19 outbreak. However, these bumps have proven short-lived, with trust quickly returning to lower levels.

A New Era of Persistent Low Trust

Since the mid-2000s, trust in government has rarely crossed the 30% mark. In the 2010s and early 2020s, it often dipped below 20%.

As of September 2025, just 17% of Americans say they trust the federal government most of the time — near the lowest level recorded in Pew’s time series.

If you enjoyed today’s post, check out America’s Growing Mountain of Debt on Voronoi, the new app from Visual Capitalist.