Public Trust Crashes: New Survey Shows Record-Low Confidence in Congress

9 to unprecedented depths, according to a new national survey showing confidence hitting record-low levels. With only one in ten Americans expressing trust in the legislative branch, the findings reveal a profound crisis of confidence—one that extends far beyond everyday political dissatisfaction. This collapse reflects growing disillusionment with government, widening political polarization, and intense skepticism about Congress’s ability to govern effectively.

This comprehensive article examines what the survey reveals, what’s driving this collapse of public trust, the long-term implications for American democracy, and what can be done to rebuild faith in Congress.

The Data: A Historic Collapse in Public Confidence

Record Low Trust Levels

A recent national confidence survey shows:

• Only 10% of Americans have “a great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence in Congress.

• More than half of respondents express “little” to “no” confidence at all.

• Congress now ranks last among major U.S. institutions, including the presidency, the Supreme Court, the military, police, and even organized religion.

These measurements represent the lowest recorded trust levels since such polling began in the early 1970s.

Comparing Past Trends

In 1973, more than 40% of Americans expressed high confidence in Congress. Public trust has fluctuated over the decades but has experienced a dramatic and sustained decline since the early 2000s.

While confidence in nearly all institutions has dropped over the last 20 years, Congress has seen the steepest and most persistent erosion.

Younger Americans Are Particularly Disillusioned

Polling among young adults (18–29) shows trust levels even lower than the national average, hovering around 18%. This generation has grown up amid political crises, economic uncertainty, and public scandals—shaping a far more skeptical view of government institutions.

Why Trust in Congress Is Crashing

The collapse in trust cannot be attributed to a single cause. Instead, it results from a combination of political, structural, cultural, and economic factors.

1. Extreme Partisanship and Gridlock

America’s political divide is at one of its highest points in modern history.

• Major bills stall for months or years.

• Bipartisan cooperation is rare.

• Partisan showdowns dominate headlines.

• Government shutdown threats have become almost routine.

Americans increasingly see Congress as a battleground for partisan conflict rather than a body working on behalf of the public.

2. Perceived Ineffectiveness

Americans often feel that Congress is failing to address pressing issues such as:

• Healthcare reform

• Border and immigration management

• Gun violence

• Inflation and economic inequality

• Infrastructure

• Climate change

When citizens believe lawmakers are unable or unwilling to address national problems, trust erodes.

3. Scandals and Ethical Concerns

Repeated scandals involving corruption, insider trading allegations, campaign finance violations, and abuse of power have contributed to a perception that many lawmakers are acting in their own interests rather than in the public’s.

Even when no laws are technically broken, the optics of questionable behavior fuel cynicism.

4. Lack of Accountability

A growing share of Americans feel that:

• Politicians are not held accountable for wrongdoing.

• Elections rarely remove entrenched incumbents.

• Lobbyists and special interests have too much influence.

• Ordinary citizens have too little.

This perception weakens the idea that Congress represents the people rather than powerful elites.

5. Economic Frustration

During times of economic distress, trust in institutions often declines. Rising costs of living, wage stagnation, and financial instability cause many Americans to feel left behind—and they often direct that frustration toward political leaders.

Economic hardship heightens scrutiny of Congress’s performance and amplifies dissatisfaction.

6. Media Polarization and Misinformation

The modern media environment fuels distrust through:

• Sensationalist headlines

• Constant scandal coverage

• Highly partisan news networks

• Social media misinformation

• Echo chambers that reinforce negative narratives

The result is that Congress appears dysfunctional, corrupt, or divided—even when it does produce meaningful legislation.

7. Long-Term Historical Decline

Public trust in government institutions has been falling for decades. Events such as Watergate, Vietnam, the financial crisis, and political scandals have contributed to a steady erosion of trust.

The newest data simply continues this downward trajectory—but at a more alarming pace than ever.

What This Means for American Democracy

The consequences of record-low trust in Congress are serious and far-reaching.

A. Legislative Paralysis

When public trust collapses:

• Lawmakers feel less public pressure to compromise.

• Cooperation across party lines becomes politically risky.

• Gridlock increases.

• Congress becomes less capable of passing major reforms.

This creates a feedback loop: dysfunction leads to distrust, which leads to more dysfunction.

B. Erosion of Institutional Legitimacy

Institutions function effectively only when they have broad public legitimacy. When people stop believing Congress serves them, its decisions carry less weight.

A Congress viewed as illegitimate has a harder time:

• Enforcing laws

• Maintaining public order

• Addressing national crises

• Protecting democratic norms

Loss of legitimacy can be a dangerous precursor to systemic political instability.

C. Rise of Populism and Anti-Establishment Politics

Low trust fuels the appeal of candidates who argue that:

• The system is rigged

• Politicians are corrupt

• Congress is broken beyond repair

• Only outsiders can fix it

This sentiment drives support for both left-wing and right-wing populists, reshaping the political landscape.

D. Voter Apathy and Disengagement

As trust collapses:

• Voters feel their participation doesn’t matter.

• Turnout falls.

• Citizens disengage from civic life.

Low participation further weakens democratic legitimacy.

E. Increased Division and Social Fragmentation

When institutions lose trust, people increasingly turn to smaller groups—often ideological or cultural tribes—for identity and support. This fragmentation deepens polarization and makes national unity harder to achieve.

How Congress Can Restore Public Trust

Rebuilding trust will require long-term, systemic change—not quick fixes. Below are several strategies that experts, policymakers, and civic leaders propose.

1. Increase Transparency

Transparent government processes help restore confidence. This includes:

• Clearer financial disclosures

• Stronger conflict-of-interest rules

• Public access to legislative negotiations

• Reforms to lobbying rules

Americans want to see what happens behind closed doors.

2. Strengthen Accountability Mechanisms

Congress could improve accountability by:

• Empowering independent ethics bodies

• Enforcing stricter penalties for misconduct

• Improving oversight of campaign financing

• Making ethics investigations public

Visible, enforceable accountability is key to restoring trust.

3. Reform the Legislative Process

Reforms may include:

• Reducing partisan procedural tools that block legislation

• Strengthening committee work

• Revamping debate rules

• Ensuring that bills are published well before votes

These changes can help reduce dysfunction and gridlock.

4. Promote Bipartisan Collaboration

Congress can strengthen public trust by:

• Supporting bipartisan caucuses

• Encouraging cross-party policy coalitions

• Highlighting successful bipartisan bills

• Reducing rhetoric that demonizes political opponents

Americans overwhelmingly want cooperation, not conflict.

5. Address Economic Inequality

Many experts believe economic frustration is driving much of the distrust. Measures like:

• Tax reform

• Job training

• Affordable healthcare

• Support for small businesses

• Inflation reduction measures

could help improve public confidence by demonstrating that Congress is addressing everyday concerns.

6. Invest in Civic Education

Civic literacy has declined sharply in recent years. Strengthening education programs could help citizens better understand how Congress works—and how they can influence the political process.

When people understand the system, they are more likely to trust it.

7. Encourage New Political Leadership

Promoting leaders who prioritize integrity, accountability, and cooperation can help shift political culture. New voices—especially younger, diverse, reform-minded candidates—may be key to rebuilding trust.

Challenges to Rebuilding Trust

Despite the potential solutions, significant obstacles remain.

Political Incentives Resist Reform

Many lawmakers benefit from the current system and may be reluctant to support reforms that reduce their influence or complicate re-election strategies.

Polarization is Deep and Self-Sustaining

Hyper-partisanship makes bipartisan reform difficult. Trust cannot be rebuilt without cooperation, but cooperation is hard without trust—a circular dilemma.

Public Cynicism May Undermine Reform Efforts

Even genuine reform attempts may be dismissed as political theater if the public already believes the system is corrupt.

Deep Economic and Social Divides Complicate Consensus

Inequality, cultural divide, and demographic polarization make national unity harder to achieve—hindering efforts to restore institutional faith.

Conclusion

The new survey showing record-low confidence in Congress is more than a troubling statistic—it is a warning about the fragility of American democracy. When only 10% of Americans trust their legislature, the legitimacy and effectiveness of the institution are in jeopardy.

Yet this crisis also presents an opportunity.

A government facing a crisis of trust must respond with bold reforms and a renewed commitment to serving the public. That means prioritizing transparency, accountability, cooperation, and effective governance. Rebuilding trust will require sustained effort from lawmakers, civic leaders, and citizens—but the future of American democracy may depend on it.