WASHINGTON, D.C. — Just three weeks into the new administration, a significant majority of Americans are expressing apprehension regarding the trajectory of President Donald Trump’s term, according to a recent national survey. Conducted by SSRS on its Opinion Panel Omnibus platform from February 7 to February 9, 2025, the University of Maryland Critical Issues Poll reveals that 54% of U.S. adults are worried about the prospects facing the administration.
This overall sentiment of worry encompasses a substantial portion of the population, with 40% of respondents identifying as “very worried” and another 14% stating they are “somewhat worried.” In contrast, 37% of Americans voiced hope for the administration’s future; this group is split between 23% who are “very hopeful” and 14% who are “somewhat hopeful.” A smaller segment, 9%, indicated they were “neither worried nor hopeful” about the situation.
The poll, which surveyed 1,005 respondents and carries a margin of error of +/-3.8% at the 95% confidence level, underscores the deep partisan fissures that continue to characterize the American political landscape.
Partisan Divide Highlighted
The data clearly illustrates a stark divide in how different political affiliations view the nascent Trump administration. Among Democrats surveyed, an overwhelming 90% reported feeling worried about the administration’s prospects. This contrasts sharply with Republicans, only 17% of whom expressed worry. Independents mirrored the national average more closely, with 54% indicating concern.
Conversely, the sentiment of hope is predominantly held by Republicans, 77% of whom are hopeful about the administration’s future. This stands in stark contrast to Democrats, where only a meager 6% reported feeling hopeful. Among independents, 35% shared a hopeful outlook, positioning them between the two major parties.
Key Concerns and Sources of Hope
The survey delved into the specific issues driving these sentiments of worry and hope among the American public. The “overall economy” emerged as the most frequently cited issue across both categories. It was cited by 27% of respondents as a primary source of worry and by 37% as a primary source of hope, reflecting the complex and often contradictory views on economic conditions and policy expectations.
Beyond the economy, other significant concerns were prevalent. “US involvement in international conflicts/war” and “immigration and deportations” were each cited by 20% of respondents as key issues contributing to their worry about the administration’s prospects. These figures highlight the public’s sensitivity to national security matters and domestic policy debates surrounding borders and immigration enforcement.
Concerns Over Public Discourse
The poll also touched upon the broader climate of public opinion and expression. A noteworthy finding was that a growing number of Americans reported feeling worried about the potential consequences of publicly criticizing U.S. policies. This concern was particularly linked to policies related to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the complex Israeli-Palestinian conflict, suggesting a perceived chilling effect on open discourse regarding sensitive foreign policy issues.
Analyzing the Sentiment
The results of the University of Maryland Critical Issues Poll provide an early snapshot of public perception during the initial days of the Trump administration. Within its first three weeks, the administration faces a populace largely divided along partisan lines, with a majority expressing worry about its future path. While the economy represents both a significant hope and a concern, issues of foreign policy and immigration also weigh heavily on the minds of many Americans. The indicated hesitance among some to publicly critique foreign policy decisions adds another layer to understanding the public mood at this early stage.
This poll, capturing sentiment from February 7-February 9, 2025, serves as an initial benchmark, revealing the immediate public reaction and the core anxieties and hopes present as the administration began to implement its agenda. The prevalent sentiment of worry, shared by majorities of Democrats and independents, sets a challenging backdrop for the administration as it seeks to govern.
