1:42A placard that announces “Closed due to federal government shutdown,” is visible outside the National Gallery of Art on the sixth day of the government impasse, in Washington, D.C., October 6, 2025.Jose Luis Magana/AP
Thursday signifies the 30th day of the U.S. government closure, and the American citizenry has become progressively more troubled by the standstill throughout the month, with rising disapproval concerning President Donald Trump’s handling of the government, as indicated by an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos survey executed utilizing Ipsos’ KnowledgePanel.
The survey reveals that a greater number of Americans hold Trump and Congressional Republicans responsible for the closure compared to Democrats.
The U.S. Capitol emerges above the U.S. Capitol Grounds, which are covered with autumn leaves, several weeks into the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, in Washington, D.C., October 27, 2025.Kylie Cooper/Reuters
Seventy-five percent of Americans express apprehension regarding the government stoppage, an increase from the two-thirds who voiced similar concerns on the opening day of the closure in a Washington Post survey. At present, 43% of Americans state that they are “very” worried about the situation, a surge from 25% on October 1.
Almost half of Americans, precisely 45%, attribute the blame for the cessation to Trump and Republican members of Congress, whereas 33% hold congressional Democrats accountable, and an additional 22% remain uncertain. This mirrors the Post’s poll from October 1, where 47% faulted Trump and Republicans, 30% blamed Democrats, and 23% expressed uncertainty at the commencement of the shutdown.
Democrats exhibit greater unity in assigning responsibility to Trump and Republicans for the shutdown (81%) compared to Republicans attributing blame to Democrats (72%). Twice as many independents point to Trump and Republicans as responsible (46%) in contrast to Democrats (23%).
President Donald Trump engages with reporters aboard Air Force One shortly after departing from Busan, South Korea, en route to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, October 30, 2025.Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
Majorities across different political affiliations convey worry regarding the shutdown: Approximately nine in ten Democrats, alongside over seven in ten independents, and more than six in ten Republicans, are uneasy about the shutdown, but a higher proportion of Democrats express “very” significant concern (62%) compared to independents (43%) or Republicans (26%).
Worry over the shutdown is more pronounced among women, with 81% expressing unease, as opposed to 68% of men.
Furthermore, an increasing segment of Americans voice disapproval regarding Trump’s handling of the federal government. Overall, 63% currently disapprove, a rise from 57% in April and 54% in February. Slightly over a third (36%) approve, based on the latest survey.
The ABC/Post/Ipsos survey solicited explanations from Americans concerning why they believe either Trump and Republicans or Democrats are accountable for the U.S. government’s cessation of operations. Provided are some of their written responses:
Among those faulting Trump and Republicans:
“They are unwilling to concede regarding concerns over escalating healthcare premiums for all Americans. He does not advocate for all Americans; only his personal interests are of consequence,” stated a 65-year-old Democratic woman from Wisconsin.
“They seem more focused on preserving power than on acting in the nation’s best interests,” remarked a 78-year-old Republican-leaning independent man residing in Oregon.
“They are in control of every aspect of the federal government,” conveyed a 45-year-old Democratic man in Tennessee.
“Trump serves as the president, and the Republicans possess the majority. In addition to that, Speaker Johnson adjourned the House for recess, and Trump/Republicans are unwilling to collaborate with Democrats concerning the healthcare funding shortfall that is poised to detriment millions of individuals,” voiced a 34-year-old Democratic woman hailing from Minnesota.
“Trump himself declared a few years back that it is the President’s duty to unite the two factions,” remarked a 59-year-old Democratic-leaning independent woman residing in Pennsylvania.
A sign indicating “Closed due to federal government shutdown,” is pictured outside the National Gallery of Art on the 6th day of the government impasse, located in Washington, D.C., October 6, 2025.Jose Luis Magana/AP
“President Trump and the Maga GOP are unwilling to engage in negotiations concerning the Affordable Care Act’s termination, regardless of the detrimental consequences for numerous of their adherents, and they lack alternative strategies for preventing the escalation of healthcare expenses,” articulated a 69-year-old Democratic woman from Virginia.
“The Republicans are in command of Congress. They refuse to negotiate. Therefore, they are responsible. We cannot deprive millions of Americans of healthcare access,” stated a 40-year-old Democratic woman in Iowa.
“They are unwilling to negotiate in good faith,” said a 78-year-old Democratic-leaning independent man in Ohio.
Among those blaming Democrats:
“They desire healthcare provisions for undocumented immigrants to be subsidized using my funds. That is unjust,” expressed a 78-year-old Republican woman residing in Oregon.
“Because they are unwilling to compromise,” asserted a 37-year-old Republican-leaning independent woman in Arizona.
“They seek to discuss healthcare subsidies, but they wish to circumvent conducting these discussions within the relevant House and Senate committees. They are holding the entirety of the government hostage over a singular issue,” stated a 78-year-old Republican man from South Carolina.
“They rejected the continuation resolutions on multiple occasions,” commented a 56-year-old Republican-leaning independent man living in Nebraska.
“The Democrats are the faction refusing to concede to an agreement,” declared a 43-year-old independent woman located in Texas.
“The Democrats have backed elements featured in the continuing resolution and are advocating for provisions that continue to augment the debt,” stated a 69-year-old Republican-leaning independent man residing in California.
“Republicans proposed and passed a clean bill devoid of Republican additions, while Democrats consistently vote against it,” said a 76-year-old Republican man in Texas.
Refer to the PDF for comprehensive results.
Methodology: This ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll was executed via the web utilizing the probability-grounded Ipsos KnowledgePanel® from October 24-28, 2025, in both English and Spanish, encompassing a randomized national sample of 2,725 U.S. adults, and it carries a margin of error of plus or minus 1.9 percentage points, inclusive of the design effect. Error margins are more substantial for subgroups. The partisan breakdowns consist of 28% Democrats, 31% Republicans, and 41%
Consult additional details on ABC News’s survey methodology here.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
