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Americans' Anger Toward the Federal Government Hits 43% 'Strongly Disagree' Threshold

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  Published in Politics and Government on Tuesday, December 9th 2025 at 13:13 GMT by news4sanantonio

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Americans’ Anger Toward the Federal Government is Escalating, Forecasting a Turbulent 2026 Midterm Election

A new, in‑depth profile on News4SanAntonio.com tracks a worrying trend in the American public’s perception of the federal government: anger and frustration are climbing faster than ever, and that mood is poised to shape the political landscape heading into the 2026 midterm elections. By weaving together recent polling data, expert commentary, and insights from the field, the piece argues that the shift in sentiment could fuel both a hardening of partisan divides and a surge in voter turnout as citizens rally around issues that feel most urgent.

1. The “Angry” Trend – A Quantitative Snapshot

The article opens by citing the most recent American Pulse Poll, conducted by a major national research arm in late 2023. The poll found that 43 % of respondents now “strongly disagree” that the federal government is working in the best interests of the people—a figure that is 12 % higher than the 31 % reported in a similar survey from early 2022. At the same time, only 21 % expressed a belief that the government is moving the country forward, compared with 30 % a year earlier.

These raw numbers, the article notes, mirror a broader wave of discontent that has been documented by other firms such as Gallup and Pew Research. In particular, the 2024 “Political Rants” report by the Pew Research Center (followed in the article for additional context) lists “discontent with how the government is run” as the top driver of political cynicism among Americans aged 18–29.

2. Party‑by‑Party Breakdown

A significant portion of the piece is devoted to comparing how Republicans and Democrats are faring in public approval ratings. In the American Pulse Poll, 28 % of respondents said they approved of the performance of Republicans, while 16 % approved of Democrats. Both figures are down from the prior year, but the Republican rating has dropped more steeply, a trend that mirrors the results of a 2024 Gallup survey that found Republican approval fell from 30 % to 22 % in just 12 months.

The article explains that the decline for Republicans is partly due to the fallout from the Biden administration’s push to raise the federal minimum wage and expand health‑care coverage—policies that, according to the poll, are “perceived as overreaching by a majority of conservative voters.” Meanwhile, the Democratic drop is tied to the perception that the party has not adequately addressed the “economic downturn” that has plagued small‑town America, a narrative the article underscores with a quote from a local journalist quoted in the piece: “If the party can’t fix the job losses in Appalachia and the Rust Belt, their legitimacy evaporates.”

3. The 2026 Midterm Countdown

One of the strongest threads the article weaves is how these attitudes could influence the 2026 midterm elections. By following the link to a Washington Post analysis on the 2026 electoral cycle, the article draws a parallel between the current “angry” wave and the 2018 midterms, which saw a sharp Republican surge. The Post piece highlights that the timing of a midterm is “perfectly poised to turn discontent into electoral action,” especially when combined with a high‑profile incumbent’s perceived mishandling of the economy.

The author notes that the 2024 U.S. Presidential election’s close outcome has left many undecided voters feeling “frustrated with the two‑party system.” The article suggests that this sentiment could translate into higher turnout for third‑party candidates or a strategic shift toward “more moderate” representatives who promise pragmatic governance. The piece also quotes a political scientist from the University of Texas who predicts that if current polling trends hold, the 2026 Senate will see a +12 seat swing toward the opposition party, potentially leading to a fractured Congress.

4. Issue‑Specific Anger: Economy, Health Care, and Immigration

In a section that breaks the data into substantive policy categories, the article examines how anger is distributed across issues. The American Pulse Poll indicates that 61 % of respondents are “concerned” about the national economy, a figure that eclipses concern over health care (52 %) and immigration (48 %). The News4SanAntonio.com piece links to a Bloomberg article that details how small‑business owners have been hit hard by supply‑chain disruptions and rising energy costs, tying the public’s anger to tangible economic pain points.

The article also references a study from the Center for American Progress that finds that immigrants, while representing a smaller share of the population, are experiencing higher levels of anger (74 %) due to perceived “discriminatory policies.” The piece notes that this demographic could be a decisive factor in future elections, especially in swing districts.

5. How Politicians Respond – A Double‑Edged Sword

Toward the end, the article turns to how elected officials are reacting to the rising anger. By following links to the official websites of prominent senators and representatives, the author cites recent press releases that highlight attempts to “re‑engage with constituents” via town halls and policy listening sessions. However, the piece points out that many of these initiatives are being criticized as “performative” and “white‑wash” by activists, as reported in a Mother Jones investigative piece that was linked for further reading.

One of the most striking anecdotes in the article comes from a small town in Texas where a local representative hosted a community forum and was met with a hostile crowd that demanded a complete overhaul of the federal tax code. The author concludes that while officials are attempting to soothe anger, the depth and breadth of discontent suggest that substantive policy changes will be required to win back public trust.

Takeaway

By pulling together a host of polling data, expert analysis, and real‑world examples, the News4SanAntonio.com article paints a clear picture: American anger toward the federal government is rising, with both major parties experiencing sharp approval declines. This mood is set to feed directly into the 2026 midterm election cycle, potentially reshaping the composition of Congress, amplifying the role of third‑party candidates, and pressuring incumbents to deliver tangible results. The article’s careful curation of linked sources offers a robust, multi‑angled view of the forces at work, making it an essential read for anyone trying to understand how public sentiment is turning the political stage in the years to come.