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.