Public Perceptions: The Impact of Federal Cutbacks 

Since taking office in January 2025, President Donald Trump has moved quickly to make substantial and arbitrary cuts to the federal government. These actions to end government programs, cancel contracts and grants, and lay off thousands of federal workers are disrupting services relied on by people across the country. 

During this unique moment, the Partnership for Public Service sought to understand how Americans view the Trump administration’s actions by conducting a nationally representative survey and a series of focus groups, the results of which were recently published in the report “Mad Money.” 

The Partnership found that Americans generally oppose the administration’s changes to the federal government, and the majority of Americans say they are concerned about the impact of the changes on their lives and communities. 

Join us virtually on Tuesday, July 22, at noon EDT, as we highlight the report’s findings and explore how this research can inform conversations around the role of government and the development of reforms needed to meet the expectations and priorities of the public.