Record-High 89% in U.S. Say Government Corruption Widespread
A record 89% of U.S. adults now perceive government corruption as widespread, marking a significant increase over the past two decades. While Democrats' perceptions have spiked sharply since the 2024 election, Republicans' views have remained consistently high regardless of which party holds power.
Why it matters
The erosion of public trust in government institutions across party lines suggests a deepening crisis of legitimacy in the American political system.
Substantial majorities of Republicans, Democrats and independents agree
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Americans' perceptions of government corruption in the U.S. are at their highest level in 20 years, with 89% of U.S. adults saying it is widespread. That figure is up 10 percentage points from last year and well above readings in the 72% to 79% range between 2010 and 2025.
Democrats' perceptions of government corruption have risen the most sharply since 2024 compared with other party groups. In former President Joe Biden's final year in office, 57% of Democrats said corruption was widespread in government; that rose to 76% in 2025, the first year of President Donald Trump's second term, and reached 91% this year. The figure among political independents (90%) aligns more closely with Democrats' than with Republicans' (83%) and is up 12 points since 2024.
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