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Americans' Anger Toward Federal Government Soars to Historic High

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, December 8th 2025 at 16:50 GMT by WGME

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Americans’ Anger Toward the Federal Government Grows, Setting the Stage for the 2026 Mid‑Terms

A new poll released by WGME shows a steep rise in the number of Americans who feel angry about the federal government, a trend that could shape the political landscape heading into the 2026 mid‑term elections. The findings, drawn from a nationwide survey of more than 1,000 adults conducted in late February, point to a growing disillusionment that cuts across partisan lines and suggests a more volatile electoral environment in the coming years.

Rising Anger, Falling Approval

The survey reports that 48 % of respondents say they are “angry” about the federal government—a 7‑percentage‑point jump from the 41 % recorded in the same period a year earlier. In comparison, only 24 % said they were “happy” with the way things are. The poll’s lead author, political analyst Maya Patel, notes that “the scale of frustration is unprecedented in the last decade.” The spike coincides with a series of high‑profile controversies, from ongoing federal budget deficits and immigration enforcement debates to the handling of climate‑related disasters.

When the survey asked about approval ratings for the two major parties, Republicans and Democrats both appear to be slipping. Only 32 % of Republicans reported approving of the federal government, down from 38 % in the previous cycle. Democratic approval was even lower at 29 %, a drop of 6 percentage points. President‑level approval mirrors this trend, with a 22 % approval rating, the lowest in the post‑war era.

The poll also shows that younger voters (ages 18‑34) are especially discontented, with 55 % expressing anger, compared with 41 % of those aged 65 and older. Urban residents reported higher anger levels than rural ones, and a large share of respondents across all demographics cited policy disagreements and perceived government overreach as the primary reasons for their frustration.

Why 2026 Mid‑Terms Matters

The survey’s timing is no accident. The 2026 mid‑terms will be the first major election after the 2024 presidential cycle, and analysts say that voter sentiment now is a leading indicator of how the two parties will fare. The WGME article cites a recent Pew Research study (linked in the poll’s footnotes) that projects a 10 % swing toward incumbents when voters feel “strongly negative” about federal policies.

The article also references a Gallup poll that highlights a persistent “turnout gap” between Republican‑leaning and Democratic‑leaning voters when approval ratings fall below 30 %. This suggests that the current dip in satisfaction could translate into lower voter participation, especially among demographics that have historically supported the opposition party.

Contextual Links

Two other pieces linked in the WGME story provide useful background. One is an in‑depth analysis of the 2024 mid‑terms from Politico, which describes how low approval ratings for the President and the Congressional majority drove a surge in primary challengers. The second link is a USA Today article that discusses how the federal budget crisis has eroded public trust in the political establishment over the past decade. Both pieces help frame the current poll as part of a broader trend of institutional skepticism that has been building steadily.

Political Implications

The article offers several scenarios for how this anger could play out in 2026. If the trend continues, Republican candidates might try to distance themselves from the national party’s positions, especially on issues like immigration and economic policy, in order to appeal to swing voters. Democrats, on the other hand, may double down on progressive policies in an effort to energize their base, hoping that the anger translates into a high‑turnout wave.

Experts quoted in the article, including political scientist Dr. Elena Garcia of the University of Colorado, warn that “voters’ anger often turns into protest votes, not necessarily a vote for the opposition.” She added that “mid‑terms are a referendum on the incumbent administration, and this anger is the most potent catalyst we’ve seen in the past five years.”

Looking Forward

In conclusion, the WGME piece frames the rising anger toward the federal government as both a symptom and a driver of the political turbulence that will be felt in the 2026 mid‑terms. With both major parties’ approval ratings hovering in the low twenties and a growing share of the electorate expressing frustration, the next election cycle could see significant shifts in party dominance, policy priorities, and voter turnout. Whether that shift will favor Republicans, Democrats, or a new political alignment remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the federal government’s current popularity is at a historic low, and its future will be decided at the ballot box in 2026.