Americans increasingly concerned about government shutdown, more blame Republicans and Trump than Democrats: Poll

The 30th day of the federal government shutdown has arrived, and the concerns of the American public have escalated over the course of the month. According to a recent ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll conducted using Ipsos’ KnowledgePanel, more Americans are disapproving of President Donald Trump’s handling of the federal government.

The poll indicates that a higher percentage of Americans blame Trump and the Republicans in Congress for the shutdown compared to the Democrats. Nearly half of the respondents, 45%, hold Trump and congressional Republicans responsible for the shutdown, while 33% attribute the blame to congressional Democrats. The remaining 22% are unsure of who to fault. This sentiment is consistent with the findings from the Washington Post poll conducted at the beginning of the shutdown.

Across party lines, the majority of Americans express concern about the ongoing shutdown. Democrats, independents, and Republicans are all worried about the situation, with varying degrees of intensity. Women, in particular, show higher levels of concern compared to men.

The poll also reveals a growing disapproval of Trump’s management of the federal government. Currently, 63% of Americans disapprove of his performance, a notable increase from earlier this year. Only 36% of respondents approve of Trump’s handling of government affairs.

The poll asked participants to elaborate on their reasons for blaming either Trump and Republicans or Democrats for the shutdown. Responses varied, with some pointing to healthcare concerns and others highlighting the lack of cooperation between parties.

The methodology of the survey involved online data collection through the Ipsos KnowledgePanel® from October 24-28, 2025. The sample included 2,725 U.S. adults with a margin of error of plus or minus 1.9 percentage points. The partisan breakdown of the respondents was 28% Democrats, 31% Republicans, and 41% independents.

In conclusion, the ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll sheds light on the increasing concerns and disapproval among Americans regarding the government shutdown and President Trump’s handling of the situation. The findings reflect a divided public opinion on the responsibility for the shutdown, with implications for the future of government operations.