Trust in the federal government is low or absent for a slim majority of Americans
Core finding
In a Verasight survey of 3,000 U.S. adults conducted Jan. 18 to 24, 2024, 54% of Americans said they have a little or no trust in the federal government in Washington, D.C. This includes 29% who said a little and 25% who said none.
About three-in-ten said they have a moderate amount of trust (28%), and 17% said they have a lot or a great deal of trust in the federal government, with 10% who said a lot and 7% who said a great deal.
Topline scale
54% of Americans have little or no trust in the federal government.
In general, how much do you trust the federal government in Washington D.C.?
n = 1,000 · Jan 18–24, 2024 · MoE ±3.5%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | United States adults |
| Field dates | Jan 18–24, 2024 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.5% |
| Module | Verasight Interdisciplinary Omnibus Survey #2024-006 |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- www.verasight.io/post/verasights-supports-academic-and-nonprofit-researchers
In general, how much do you trust the federal government in Washington D.C.?
Cite this question
Verasight Interdisciplinary Omnibus Survey #2024-006, fielded January 18-24, 2024, N=1,000 United States adults, +/- 3.5%.