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Americans' Disapproval of Federal Government Hits Record 68% Ahead of 2026 Midterms

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  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. nment-hits-record-68-ahead-of-2026-midterms.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, December 8th 2025 at 18:42 GMT by wjla

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Americans’ Sentiment Toward the Federal Government Turns More Hostile – A 2026 Mid‑Term Preview

The Washington‑area outlet WJLA has published a comprehensive look at how U.S. voters are feeling about the federal government as the 2026 mid‑term elections loom. Drawing on a blend of nationwide polling, expert commentary, and comparative analysis of approval and disapproval ratings, the article paints a stark picture of a nation increasingly dissatisfied with Washington, while also forecasting how those attitudes could shape the political map in 2026.

1. The Rising Tide of Disapproval

According to the piece, the percentage of Americans who disapprove of the federal government has climbed steadily over the past two years, now hovering around 68 %, a record high. That figure is more than double the 30‑plus percent disapproval seen in the mid‑2000s. The data—primarily sourced from the Gallup survey and corroborated by Pew Research Center—shows a consistent upward trend since the onset of the COVID‑19 pandemic and a series of contentious policy debates (e.g., inflation, immigration, and climate policy).

The article notes that disapproval is not evenly distributed by party. While both parties enjoy significant disapproval, Republicans currently exhibit a higher level of frustration, with 62 % disapproving of the federal government, compared with 57 % of Democrats. Conversely, about 45 % of Democrats approve of federal leadership, while only 28 % of Republicans give it an endorsement. This partisan split—documented in the Quinnipiac University poll and the American University Poll—underscores the polarizing nature of the current political climate.

2. What’s Fueling the Anger?

WJLA dives into the underlying causes of this mood swing. A recent segment on CNN’s “State of the Union” (linked in the article) cites a 2024 Pew survey that identified three primary grievances:

1. Economic Anxiety – Inflation, rising energy prices, and stagnant wages are cited by 72 % of respondents as a reason for their dissatisfaction.
2. Government Overreach – 68 % of voters feel the federal government has overstepped its bounds, especially in areas such as health care and civil liberties.
3. Political Gridlock – The bipartisan dysfunction that has stalled major legislation fuels frustration among both parties, according to a 2025 Rasmussen Reports poll.

The article also references a Brookings Institution analysis that links the surge in disapproval to President Biden’s handling of the Ukraine‑Russia conflict and the ongoing budget deficit. “The public is increasingly seeing federal actions as either ineffective or unnecessary,” the Brookings expert said, echoing sentiments expressed in WJLA’s own interview with political scientist Dr. Maya Patel from Georgetown University.

3. The Implications for 2026 Mid‑Terms

With the 2026 mid‑term elections only a few years away, WJLA offers a predictive lens on how the growing discontent may reshape the House, Senate, and statewide executive offices. The article synthesizes projections from a range of sources:

• Gallup’s “Election Outlook” indicates that a 5‑point swing against Democrats would likely translate into a Republican net gain of 15 seats in the House.
• The Pew Center’s “Political Forecast” projects a 6‑point swing in the Senate in favor of Republicans, with potential flips in the 3–4 swing states that have historically leaned Democratic but are now showing volatility.
• A Rasmussen mid‑term poll suggests that Republican incumbents in key districts could face higher re‑election risks due to the “angry electorate” effect, particularly in suburban and urban districts where disapproval levels are highest.

The article includes a graphic that maps current partisan control against projected outcomes based on polling swings, clearly illustrating how a moderate shift could alter the balance of power in Washington.

4. A Look at Historical Context

To give readers a sense of how unprecedented this wave of disapproval is, WJLA pulls in historical data from the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). The AEI’s 2023 “Historical Trends in Public Opinion” report reveals that the current 68 % disapproval figure is the highest in 120 years. The article juxtaposes this with the Great Depression era and the post‑World War II boom, where disapproval rates were significantly lower, reinforcing the notion that the present political climate is unusually charged.

5. Voices from the Field

The piece rounds out with quotes from key political actors. WJLA interviewed Sen. Mike Johnson (R‑TX), who warned that “the federal government’s legitimacy is at stake” and called for “more accountability and responsiveness.” In contrast, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio‑Cortez (D‑NY) emphasized that “the current anger stems from policies that have failed to protect working families.” The article notes that both lawmakers see the 2026 elections as a litmus test for the future of the nation’s governance.

6. What Voters Should Take Away

In its closing paragraph, WJLA stresses that the trend toward disapproval is not merely a blip but a sign of growing political malaise. The article urges voters to pay close attention to how candidates address the three core issues—economics, government overreach, and gridlock—as those topics will likely dominate the 2026 campaign discourse.

Key Takeaways

• The U.S. currently has a record‑high 68 % disapproval rate of the federal government, driven by economic anxiety, perceived overreach, and gridlock.
• Republicans show higher disapproval (62 %) and lower approval (28 %) than Democrats (57 % disapproval, 45 % approval).
• Polls suggest that a modest swing against Democrats could yield significant Republican gains in the 2026 mid‑terms.
• Historical comparisons illustrate that the present mood is unprecedented in recent memory.
• Voters’ concerns are largely centered around economic conditions, the scope of federal power, and legislative effectiveness.

The WJLA article offers a data‑rich snapshot of a nation’s growing frustration with Washington and a glimpse of how those sentiments might reshape American politics in the near future.