Dissatisfaction with U.S. government dysfunction, checks and balances

Quinnipiac University national poll reports Americans say the country is definitely ‘not great’

A Quinnipiac University national poll of registered voters, released on February 19, 2025, found that less than 4 in 10 Americans believe the system of checks and balances between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the federal government is working well.

The poll highlights significant partisan divides and growing concerns about governmental dysfunction.

According to the survey, 38% of voters think the system of checks and balances is working either “very well” (9%) or “somewhat well” (29%), while 54% believe it is working either “not so well” (24%) or “not well at all” (30%). The results reveal stark differences by party affiliation:

• Republicans: 57% think the system is working well (16% “very well,” 41% “somewhat well”), while 34% think it is not working well.
• Democrats: Only 14% think the system is working well (1% “very well,” 13% “somewhat well”), with 80% expressing dissatisfaction.
• Independents: 41% think the system is working well, while 52% believe it is not.

“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.

Elon Musk’s Influence and Trump’s Approval
The poll also explored public perceptions of Elon Musk’s influence and President Donald Trump’s job performance.

• Elon Musk: 55% of voters think Musk has “too much power” in decisions affecting the U.S., while 36% believe he has the “right amount” of power. Partisan splits are pronounced, with 96% of Democrats and 56% of independents saying Musk has too much power, compared to only 16% of Republicans.
• President Trump: 45% of voters approve of Trump’s job performance, while 49% disapprove. Approval ratings vary widely by party, with 90% of Republicans approving and 95% of Democrats disapproving.

Congressional Approval Hits Historic Lows and Highs
The poll recorded historically low approval ratings for Democrats in Congress, with only 21% of voters approving of their performance—a record low since Quinnipiac began asking the question in 2009. Meanwhile, Republicans in Congress reached a record high approval rating of 40%.

“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.

Key Issues and Policy Opinions
The survey also gauged voter opinions on several policy issues:

• Gaza Proposal: Two weeks after President Trump proposed U.S. control of Gaza, 22% of voters supported the plan, while 62% opposed it. Partisan divides were evident, with 49% of Republicans supporting the proposal and 94% of Democrats opposing it.
• Inflation: 64% of voters view inflation as a “very serious” problem, with 44% believing Trump’s policies will help the economy and an equal 44% believing they will hurt it.
• Gender and Diversity Policies: 57% of voters support Trump’s executive order recognizing only two sexes, while 53% believe diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies are beneficial for organizations.

Satisfaction with the Nation
Despite the concerns, 40% of voters reported being satisfied with the state of the nation—the highest level since September 2019. However, 58% remain dissatisfied, with 42% saying they are “very dissatisfied.”

The Quinnipiac University Poll surveyed 1,039 self-identified registered voters nationwide from February 13–17, 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.