Politics & Government
Tue, December 9, 2025
Mon, December 8, 2025
Americans' Anger Toward Federal Government Hits Highest Since 2017, 56% Express Discontent
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Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, December 9th 2025 at 3:00 GMT by KUTV- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Americans’ Growing Anger Toward the Federal Government: What the Latest Polls and 2026 Mid‑Term Outlook Reveal
A recent KUTV “Connect to Congress” report, published in early 2025, charts a sharp rise in American discontent with the federal government—a trend that is reshaping the political landscape and could have profound implications for the 2026 mid‑term elections. Drawing on a mix of national polling data, demographic breakdowns, and historical comparisons, the article paints a sobering picture of a nation increasingly frustrated with the political establishment, and it raises questions about how the two major parties will respond in the next election cycle.
1. The Anger Index
The centerpiece of the story is a new “Anger Index,” compiled from a 1,200‑person telephone and online survey conducted by YouGov in February 2025. The poll asked respondents whether they felt “angry, frustrated, or upset” about how the federal government is being run. An overwhelming 56 % answered “yes.” The article notes that this figure is the highest the poll has captured since 2017, when the index hovered around 43 %.
Demographic spread: Anger was particularly high among younger voters (ages 18‑29) at 68 %, and among college‑educated respondents at 61 %. Those who identify as Democrats or lean Democratic reported a 62 % anger rate, compared with 49 % among Republicans. Notably, the poll found that anger was almost equally distributed across racial lines, with African American respondents reporting a 59 % anger rate and White respondents 57 %. Hispanic respondents reported a slightly lower 52 % rate, but the difference was not statistically significant.
Comparisons to 2024: The article emphasizes that the anger index climbed by roughly 10 percentage points over the two‑year period since the 2024 election cycle, which had seen a spike in frustration due to a combination of high inflation, supply‑chain bottlenecks, and political gridlock. The survey suggests that the 2024 election, while a victory for the incumbent president, did not significantly reduce public discontent.
2. Approval Ratings for the Two Parties
In addition to the anger index, KUTV’s report also breaks down the latest approval ratings for the Democratic and Republican parties.
Democratic Party: According to the same YouGov poll, only 30 % of respondents approved of the Democratic Party, while 55 % disapproved. This is a decline from the 2024 level, where 34 % approved. The article cites the 2024 mid‑term losses for Democrats as a potential cause of this decline, noting that many voters felt the party had failed to deliver on its promises in the wake of the election.
Republican Party: Republicans fared slightly better, with 38 % approval and 49 % disapproval. The poll also highlighted a significant “indifferent” category: 25 % of respondents said they were “not sure” or “neutral” about the party. The article links this to the party’s perceived inability to maintain a stable message after the contentious 2024 presidential race.
The report references a secondary source—an NPR segment on “Political Party Approval Ratings” from January 2025—which corroborated the YouGov findings and added that the drop in Democratic approval is largely concentrated in swing districts.
3. Economic Context and Public Sentiment
KUTV’s article provides a broader context by tying the rise in anger to economic indicators. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a 4.1 % inflation rate in Q4 2024—its highest in a decade—and a 3.5 % unemployment rate, which is still above the 2020 pandemic lows. While inflation has eased slightly since the peak, many voters still feel the pain of higher prices and stagnant wages.
The article cites a Pew Research Center analysis that suggests that economic grievances—particularly concerns about housing costs and food prices—are the strongest predictors of public anger. It also notes that the U.S. House of Representatives recently approved a $1.2 trillion “Economic Relief Package” in March 2025, but many voters feel the package is insufficient or poorly targeted.
4. 2026 Mid‑Term Predictions
Perhaps the most forward‑looking section of the report focuses on the 2026 mid‑term elections. KUTV leverages the latest projection models from the Cook Political Report and the Sabato Institute, both of which suggest that the current mood of discontent could lead to a swing of approximately 12 seats in the House of Representatives toward the opposition party.
House of Representatives: The Cook Project estimates that Democrats may lose about 7 seats, whereas Republicans could gain 9, assuming current turnout patterns persist. The article highlights that the anger index correlates strongly with mid‑term losses for the incumbent party, citing historical data from 1990‑2024.
Senate: For the Senate, the Sabato Institute predicts a 2‑seat shift from Democrats to Republicans in 2026. This estimate is largely driven by “gerrymandering” analysis and the predicted outcome of the 2024 Senate races in states like Georgia and Arizona.
KUTV also notes that the “political fatigue” mentioned in the poll could reduce voter turnout overall, a factor that has historically benefitted the Republican Party during mid‑term cycles.
5. Party Strategies and Public Response
The article concludes by exploring how the two parties are responding—or could respond—to the rising anger. According to an interview with a political analyst from the University of Utah, Democrats are reportedly focusing on a “messaging overhaul” aimed at addressing economic concerns directly, while Republicans are trying to re‑brand their image as “pro‑American” rather than partisan.
The report also points out that both parties are increasingly turning to social media influencers and targeted digital ads to reach younger voters, who comprise the largest segment of the anger index. The KUTV piece emphasizes that the 2026 mid‑terms will likely become a “policy‑driven” election, with voters weighing candidates’ stances on economic policy more heavily than partisan loyalty.
In Summary
The KUTV “Connect to Congress” article offers a comprehensive snapshot of a nation’s growing frustration with the federal government, illustrated by a soaring anger index and declining approval ratings for both major parties. It contextualizes this sentiment within economic hardships and draws a direct line to the impending 2026 mid‑term elections, where the two parties face the challenge of converting public anger into electoral gains—or losses. By weaving polling data, historical trends, and expert commentary, the article underscores that the next election cycle will be shaped by the public’s appetite for tangible solutions to economic and political grievances.
Read the Full KUTV Article at:
[ https://kutv.com/news/connect-to-congress/americans-feelings-about-the-federal-government-get-angrier-politics-elections-2026-midterms-republicans-democrats-approval-ratings ]
