Gallup: Americans More Likely to Rank Government Leadership as No. 1 Problem

United states map with red and blue stacks over each state.
Photo by Alex Shuper on Unsplash+. Unsplash+ license obtained by author.
Created: 15 Apr, 2025
2 min read

The latest polling data from Gallup shows that the number one problem facing the US for most voters now is not the economy, it is not cost of living or inflation -- it is poor leadership in the government.

According to Gallup, 27% of Americans named "Government/Poor Leadership" as the most important problem facing the US, followed by "the economy" at 18%, "immigration" at 14%, and "cost of living or inflation" at 9%.

Gallup responses on Government and Poor Leadership being US's number one problem since 2001.

Economic issues were divided over multiple categories, so individual concerns were split. In total, there were 45 categories for poll respondents to potentially name as the US's most pressing issue.

Notably, the percentage of respondents who said "Government/Poor Leadership" is one point higher than when it peaked under the Biden administration in July 2024 -- corresponding with the presidential debate.

It is also worth noting that this number has been on a sharp rise since August 2024 when it dropped to 16% but has increased 11 points since.

The Lack of Distinct Independent Voices Leaves a Vital Piece Missing

It's not a big surprise that Republican responses to the poll look drastically different than Democratic responses. However, it is hard to gauge an independent response as Gallup forces them into the "leaners" box.

Party break down on most important problems facing US.

Former NBC host Chuck Todd said in a recent discussion that independent voters are not only the ones who ultimately decide the nation's biggest elections, but they end up being "a microcosm of where the story is headed."

IVP Donate

If analysts wanted to know how perception of government leadership was going to impact the 2026 midterms, for example, then it would be important to highlight exactly how independent voters think.

After all, the slim majorities in Congress will be determined in a handful of races that will be decided by people outside both major parties. 

How party members feel about government doesn't give new insight. For example, Democrats see Donald Trump as "a central threat." as his name was mentioned by Democratic respondents more than any other phrase.

Republicans, on the other hand, have a "strong distrust of Democrats." None of this is breaking news.

However, how did independent and independent-minded voters who were asked to lean toward a party influence the responses? For example, some of the top themes on both sides were related to polarization, division, and accountability.

Among the top 6 themes with Democrats and independents that said they lean toward the Democratic Party, “Poor leadership and lack of accountability” was fourth and “Political polarization and dysfunction” was fifth.

Among the top 6 themes with Republicans and independents that said they lean toward the GOP, "Political division and gridlock” was fifth and “Disconnect between political elites and the people” was sixth.

The current system incentivizes the parties to pit their members against each other, which has led to Republicans and Democrats viewing each other as the enemy. Naturally, they will distrust the "other side" when they are in power.

Let Us Vote : Sign Now!

A growing segment of independent-minded voters can highlight where the true problems with government reside if they are allowed a distinct voice in these polls and not expected to be party leaners.

In this article

Related articles

Voter with glasses filling out their ballot.
Gallup: National Independent ID Remains at Record High
Gallup has released its annual look back at what party affiliation looked like in the previous year....
21 Jan, 2025
-
1 min read

Latest articles

Grey ballot box with a white ballot going into it and the New Mexico flag in the background.
Opening the Door: How New Mexico Reformed Its Primary Elections and What Others Can Learn
More than 330,000 independent voters will have access to state-administered primary elections in future New Mexico elections after the legislature passed SB 16 in March to end the state’s use of closed primaries....
29 May, 2025
-
5 min read
Dean Phillips
Dean Phillips Breaks Ranks: A Firsthand Rejection of the Duopoly That Controls American Democracy
In the shadow of a damning new campaign exposé, the only elected Democrat to challenge President Biden in 2024 speaks out about what really happened and what must change....
29 May, 2025
-
5 min read
Gavel on judge's desk.
Lawsuit Challenges Independent Voter Suppression under Closed Primaries in Maryland
A new lawsuit filed Wednesday by the Open Primaries Education Fund along with the law firm, Angor, Rapaport, & Skainy (DATRS), asserts that Maryland is violating its own constitution and the voting rights of nearly 1 million independent voters in the state by denying them access to taxpayer-funded primary elections....
28 May, 2025
-
3 min read