WEST PALM BEACH — A year ago, while waiting to hear then-candidate Donald Trump speak at a rally, loyal Make America Great Again supporters complained about a government bureaucracy that they believed was either incompetent or actively working against the people it was meant to serve.

U.S. Army veteran Maria Alexander expressed sorrow over the lives lost in “endless wars” that she felt neglected American interests. Michael Baust, an architectural designer, criticized the “swamp” in Washington, claiming it endangered national security by failing to secure the southern border. Local resident Gregg Smyth voiced concerns about a “deep state” network, involving both Democrats and Republicans, he accused of profiting at the expense of ordinary citizens.

Even though many dismissed these views as fringe, Trump’s election on Nov. 5 highlighted that a larger segment of the American public shared these sentiments or was more open to them.

Now that the president-elect is announcing his Cabinet selections and key White House team members, a clear theme is visible: a second Trump administration intends to tear down the government they are meant to lead, which echoes the aspirations of many of his most passionate backers.

“People have significantly less faith in the government being honest, capable, or trustworthy,” noted Newt Gingrich, who was House Speaker in the 1990s and serves as a Trump supporter. “It’s evident that Trump is contending with a populace that is increasingly skeptical of big government than ever before in recent history.”

Public Trust in Government Has Decreased Over the Last 50 Years

Gingrich referenced Gallup’s public opinion studies that indicate a sharp decline in American trust in all three branches of the federal government over the past five decades.

Recent Gallup surveys from September found that only 40% of respondents expressed “trust and confidence” in the executive branch, a drop from 73% in May 1972. Additionally, just 34% conveyed trust in Congress, down from 71% 52 years ago, while only 48% expressed confidence in the judicial branch.

Pew Research also noted a similar decline since its surveys began in 1958, two years before the incident involving American pilot Gary Powers and the Soviet Union. In the late 1950s, Pew reported that most Americans believed the government acted correctly “almost always or most of the time.” However, that figure sharply fell during the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal and has remained below 50%, with occasional increases to the low 40% range after the Cold War’s conclusion.

Pew’s research indicates that public trust in government has seldom exceeded 30% since 2007. Wesley Borucki, a history associate professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University, pointed out that this period is especially significant.

As a historian included in the upcoming C-SPAN presidential rating survey, Borucki noted that Americans have faced four major crises in the early 21st century: the September 11 attacks, the corporate scandals of Enron and Wall Street, the Iraq war, and the financial housing crisis, not to mention the pandemic nearly five years ago.

Each of these events highlights a governmental failure to protect citizens or manage crises effectively, he stated, which sparked various anti-government movements, such as Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party.

“A breakdown of institutional trust links these events,” Borucki explained. “When we reflect on this lengthy timeframe, a rise in populist sentiment can be traced back to these catalysts.”

Borucki argues that increasing populism is a crucial factor in the ongoing political realignment, particularly the shift of working-class and minority voters towards Trump. He suggested that the electorate’s message in the 2024 election reflects a preference for a “nationalist versus globalist mindset,” a trend that he believes “will significantly drive the realignment.”

“This aligns with the America First ideology,” he elaborated. “It’s characterized by opposition to spending on foreign conflicts, an inclination towards protectionist trade policies, and stricter immigration rules. These form the foundations of a nationalistic strategy.”

Democrats Argue GOP Seeks to Dismantle Government for the Benefit of the Wealthy

Trump cast his vote on November 5 at polling location 5604 in Palm Beach, situated in Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, represented by U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, D-Florida. Frankel is doubtful that this month’s presidential election provided Trump with a mandate to “destroy” any aspect of

She stated that “people voted for change” largely because they were frustrated with the rising prices of groceries and other everyday expenses.

People, according to her, are focused on their daily lives and not so much on the political scene or detailed policies. “They understand how they feel. They sought change, but I don’t believe they wanted complete destruction. That’s not what people voted for,” she remarked.

She expressed concern that Trump and his administration intend “to essentially dismantle everything,” disregarding the negative impact this could have on the working poor and children.

She anticipates severe cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps low-income families with their grocery bills. Additionally, raising the eligibility age for Medicare will also disadvantage workers in labor-intensive positions.

“Forget about SNAP, and the nutrition for hungry children, and Medicaid and the health care needs of families earning low incomes,” she added. “There are many aspects that have contributed to America’s greatness that require government support, and they’re going to attempt to dismantle it, leading to serious consequences.”

Frankel: MAGA ‘survival of the fittest’ approach serves the wealthiest

Frankel went on to explain that Trump’s perspective on government, particularly appointing billionaires like Elon Musk to key roles to significantly reduce the federal deficit, is aimed at funneling more advantages to the richest Americans.

“It’s survival of the fittest. If you’re unable to succeed on your own, that’s your problem,” she stated. “The goal is to dismantle the government so that a greater share of wealth returns to the wealthiest and big corporations. That’s the crux of it—less government, fewer taxes. Can you guess who will benefit? It’s the wealthiest and the corporations.”

Having served in the U.S. House for 12 years, Frankel predicts that the backlash against aggressive budget cuts will be quick. She anticipates that a narrow Republican majority in the House will lead to more dysfunction. It will require 60 votes in the Senate for a majority of legislative measures; Republicans may struggle to achieve this.

The administration might need to rely on executive orders and conduct budget reconciliations twice a year, with many changes likely to face legal challenges from federal courts.

“It’s going to be chaotic and tumultuous for the next few years, and then the Democrats will reclaim the House in two years, launching us into a new phase,” she stated. “We are in for an unpredictable time ahead. We will see what he can accomplish,” she concluded.

Gingrich disagreed with her outlook, mentioning that the nation is “far removed from such a backlash” and that “there’s no need to worry about that.”

The former Georgia congressman led the House Republicans during the midterm elections in 1994, which marked the first time in 40 years that the GOP took control of the chamber. The heart of that campaign was the Contract with America, which highlighted reducing government size, cutting taxes, and reforming welfare.

A subsequent standoff with the Clinton White House over budget issues led to a government shutdown that lasted from November 14, 1995, to January 6, 1996. Gingrich noted that the primary risk for the new administration is not living up to its promises rather than overreaching.

Gingrich and the GOP argued that while unpopular, the shutdown ultimately contributed to a balanced budget agreement the following year in 1997, although it came at a political cost for Republicans. Nevertheless, Gingrich reiterated that Trump’s key challenge now is to implement significant reforms that could restore public trust in government.