Trump's Approval Rating Dips Following Executive Action Blitz
According to recent surveys, President Donald Trump's approval rating has slipped following a flurry of executive actions in his first week back in office. Despite the decline, most Americans still support his stance on immigration and border security. The first Emerson College Polling national survey of Trump's second term shows the President beginning with a 49% job approval rating and 41% disapproval, with 10% neutral. This closely mirrors his share of national support in the 2024 election but represents a slight dip from his pre-inauguration numbers. Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, noted, "President Trump's 49% job approval rating closely reflects his share of national support in the 2024 election, and his 41% disapproval is the lowest it has been in Emerson national polls dating back to his first term".
However, a Reuters/Ipsos survey painted a slightly different picture, showing a more pronounced decline. According to this poll, 45% of participants approved of Trump's actions, a 2-point decrease from a survey conducted earlier this month. More significantly, Trump's disapproval rating shot up by seven points, from 39% to 46%.
Executive Actions and Public Response
Trump's first week in office was marked by a barrage of executive orders targeting various policy areas, including immigration, defense, foreign policy, the environment, and government efficiency. These actions aimed to reverse numerous key domestic policies enacted by the Biden administration, particularly concerning climate and immigration issues. The Trump administration's actions on immigration have drawn a stark divide between supporters and critics. Emerson College data shows that around 48% of Americans approve of Trump's approach to immigration and border security, compared to 41% who disapprove.
A Reuters/Ipsos survey found that a slight majority (54%) supported changing the definition of birthright citizenship. However, the same poll revealed that under 60% of respondents voiced dissatisfaction with the president's efforts to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) hiring practices within federal offices.
Shift in National Outlook
Interestingly, the Emerson College poll found a significant increase in the percentage of those who say the country is heading in the right direction. Fifty-two percent of voters now think the United States is on the right track, while 48% believe it's on the wrong track. This marks a notable shift from earlier this month when two-thirds said the country was heading in the wrong direction. Kimball explained this change: "The shift is rooted in a flip of Republican perception and lessening of independents who say the country is on the wrong track. Earlier this month, 70% of Republicans felt the country was on the wrong track, now 87% feel it is headed in the right direction. The share of independents who say the country is on the wrong track decreased from 69% to 53%, while Democrats' perception that the country is on the wrong track intensified from 62% to 79%".
Historical Context and Comparisons
Trump's approval ratings remain historically low for a president at this stage of their term. Gallup's data shows that at 47%, Trump's initial job approval rating for his second term is similar to the inaugural 45% reading during his first term, placing him below all elected presidents dating back to 1953.
Kyle Kondik, an analyst with the University of Virginia Center for Politics, told Reuters, "While it does seem Trump is getting a honeymoon to some extent, his numbers are still not impressive by historical standards." Trump remains the only elected president with initial approval ratings below 50%, and his latest disapproval rating (48%) is three percentage points higher than in 2017, marking a new high for inaugural ratings.
Partisan Divide Remains Strong
As was the case during his first term, Trump's current job rating is sharply polarized. The Gallup poll found that 91% of Republicans approve of his performance, compared with just 6% of Democrats and 46% of independents6. This 85-point gap between Republicans and Democrats is similar to the average 81-point gap throughout his first term.
Executive Orders and Public Opinion
The relationship between executive orders and public opinion has been a subject of study for political scientists. Research by Christenson and Kriner suggests that political scientists have studied that presidents feel more confident in issuing executive; Trump's presidency has been an outlier to this model. Despite historically low approval ratings, Trump issued nearly 100 executive orders in the first two years of his previous term. His current actions seem to be following a similar pattern, with a flurry of executive orders issued despite mixed approval ratings.
Looking Ahead
As Trump's second term unfolds, how his aggressive use of executive power will impact his approval ratings in the long term remains to be seen. While his base remains strongly supportive, the increase in disapproval ratings suggests potential challenges ahead. The coming months will test whether Trump's initial ratings will look elevated by comparison if his ratings go down for a sustained period, a common standard for defining a presidential honeymoon.As the administration implements its agenda, close attention will be paid to how public opinion evolves, particularly in key areas such as immigration, energy policy, and government efficiency. The impact of these early actions on Trump's long-term approval ratings and his ability to govern effectively will be crucial factors to watch as his second term progresses.