How Americans View Federal Agencies

National Park Service, Weather Service, U.S. Postal Service are viewed positively across the political spectrum (Photo by J. David Ake/Getty Images) Americans’ views of several major federal government agencies and departments are generally positive, with some exceptions. On balance, Americans view eight of 12 federal agencies we asked about more favorably than unfavorably, according to a Pew Research Center survey of 5,062 adults conducted from Sept. 28 to Oct. 4, 2026. The National Park Service, National Weather Service and U.S. Postal Service are viewed especially positively: Two-thirds or more Americans view each favorably. National Park Service, Weather Service, USPS widely viewed positively, while ICE, IRS rank as least popular federal agencies % who have a(n) __ opinion of each federal agency Note: Net favorability is the percentage favorable minus the percentage unfavorable. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER National Park Service, Weather Service, USPS widely viewed positively, while ICE, IRS rank as least popular federal agencies % who have a(n) __ opinion of each federal agency AgencyFavorableUnfavorableNot sureNET FavNational Park Service7391764National Weather Service72131559U.S. Postal Service68221046Federal Reserve48292219FBI48361512CDC4739148Health and Human Services4438176Dept. of Homeland Security4342141State Dept.4233249Dept. of Justice404514-5IRS374616-9ICE35569-21 Note: Net favorability is the percentage favorable minus the percentage unfavorable. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER The least popular agency of the 12 asked about is Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). A majority of Americans (56%) express an unfavorable opinion of ICE, while 35% express a favorable opinion. Related: Americans’ Views of ICE Grow More Negative About this research We conducted this survey to understand Americans’ attitudes about key federal government agencies. We have tracked attitudes about federal agencies and departments for many years. Why did we do this? How did we do this? We surveyed 5,062 U.S. adults from September 28 to October 4, 2026. Everyone who took part in this survey is a member of the Center’s American Trends Panel. The survey represents the views of the full U.S. adult population. Here are the questions used for this analysis, detailed responses and the survey methodology. How Republicans and Democrats view federal agencies Wide partisan gaps in views of many federal agencies, but majorities in both parties view the National Park Service, Weather Service and USPS favorably % who have a(n) __ opinion of each federal agency Note: “Not sure” and no answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Wide partisan gaps in views of many federal agencies, but majorities in both parties view the National Park Service, Weather Service and USPS favorably % who have a(n) __ opinion of each federal agency AgencyGroupFavorableUnfavorableICERep/Lean Rep6723Dept. of Homeland SecurityRep/Lean Rep7018Dept. of JusticeRep/Lean Rep5831State Dept.Rep/Lean Rep5522FBIRep/Lean Rep6225Health and Human ServicesRep/Lean Rep5430National Park ServiceRep/Lean Rep768National Weather ServiceRep/Lean Rep7013IRSRep/Lean Rep3850U.S. Postal ServiceRep/Lean Rep6627Federal ReserveRep/Lean Rep4634CDCRep/Lean Rep4147ICEDem/Lean Dem984Dept. of Homeland SecurityDem/Lean Dem2264Dept. of JusticeDem/Lean Dem2759State Dept.Dem/Lean Dem3245FBIDem/Lean Dem3847Health and Human ServicesDem/Lean Dem3746National Park ServiceDem/Lean Dem7410National Weather ServiceDem/Lean Dem7513IRSDem/Lean Dem3843U.S. Postal ServiceDem/Lean Dem7119Federal ReserveDem/Lean Dem5325CDCDem/Lean Dem5433 Note: “Not sure” and no answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER There are wide partisan gaps in views of several agencies. Today, Republicans and Republican-leaning independents are more likely than Democrats and Democratic leaners to view ICE, DHS, the Department of Justice, the State Department, the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services favorably. The partisan gap on views of ICE is particularly wide: 67% of Republicans view the agency favorably, while 9% of Democrats say the same. For partisan trends on views of ICE, read “Americans’ Views of ICE Grow More Negative.” Wide partisan differences in net favorability of ICE, DHS, DOJ and other agencies Net favorability rating of each federal agency Note: Net favorability is the percentage favorable minus the percentage unfavorable. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Wide partisan differences in net favorability of ICE, DHS, DOJ and other agencies Net favorability rating of each federal agency AgencyRep/Lean RepDem/Lean DemICE44-75Dept. of Homeland Security52-42Dept. of Justice27-32State Dept.33-13FBI37-9Health and Human Services24-9National Park Service6864National Weather Service5762IRS-12-5U.S. Postal Service3952Federal Reserve1228CDC-621 Note: Net favorability is the percentage favorable minus the percentage unfavorable. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Democrats are more likely than Republicans to hold a favorable views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Federal Reserve. Trends in views of federal agencies among partisans The State Department, DHS and ICE State Department A majority of Republicans (55%) express a positive opinion of the State Department, while 22% express a negative opinion – nearly identical to views a year ago. Democrats’ views of the State Department have grown more negative over the last year. Now, more Democrats have an unfavorable (45%) than favorable (32%) view of the department. Democrats grow more negative toward the State Department % who have a(n) __ opinion of the State Department Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Democrats grow more negative toward the State Department % who have a(n) __ opinion of the State Department YearAgencyGroupFavorableUnfavorableNot sure2025State DepartmentTotal4531242026State DepartmentTotal4233242025State DepartmentRep/Lean Rep5723202026State DepartmentRep/Lean Rep5522222025State DepartmentDem/Lean Dem3739242026State DepartmentDem/Lean Dem324522 Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Department of Homeland Security Seven-in-ten Republicans express a positive view of DHS, essentially unchanged since 2025. About two-in-ten Democrats (22%) view it favorably, down modestly from a year ago (26%). Republicans and Democrats remain far apart in views of DHS % who have a(n) __ opinion of the Department of Homeland Security Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Republicans and Democrats remain far apart in views of DHS % who have a(n) __ opinion of the Department of Homeland Security YearAgencyGroupFavorableUnfavorableNot sure2023Dept. of Homeland SecurityTotal5135132024Dept. of Homeland SecurityTotal4836152025Dept. of Homeland SecurityTotal4640132026Dept. of Homeland SecurityTotal4342142023Dept. of Homeland SecurityRep/Lean Rep4743102024Dept. of Homeland SecurityRep/Lean Rep4147122025Dept. of Homeland SecurityRep/Lean Rep6821102026Dept. of Homeland SecurityRep/Lean Rep7018112023Dept. of Homeland SecurityDem/Lean Dem5629142024Dept. of Homeland SecurityDem/Lean Dem5726162025Dept. of Homeland SecurityDem/Lean Dem2660142026Dept. of Homeland SecurityDem/Lean Dem226414 Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Immigration and Customs Enforcement The public’s views of ICE have grown more negative over the last year: 56% now view the agency unfavorably, up from 49% last year. While ICE continues to be viewed far more positively among Republicans than Democrats, the negative shift in perceptions is seen in both parties. (For more on views of ICE, read “Americans’ Views of ICE Grow More Negative.”) Growing shares in both parties view ICE unfavorably, even as a wide partisan gap persists % who have a(n) __ opinion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Growing shares in both parties view ICE unfavorably, even as a wide partisan gap persists % who have a(n) __ opinion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement YearAgencyGroupFavorableUnfavorableNot sure2025ICETotal4049102026ICETotal355692025ICERep/Lean Rep722172026ICERep/Lean Rep672392025ICEDem/Lean Dem137892026ICEDem/Lean Dem9847 Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Health and Human Services and CDC Both the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are viewed more negatively by the public today than they were a year ago – the result of shifting views among Democrats. Department of Health and Human Services Currently, 46% of Democrats rate HHS unfavorably, while 37% rate it favorably. A year ago, more Democrats rated HHS favorably (47%) than unfavorably (38%). Democrats now hold more negative than positive views of HHS % who have a(n) __ opinion of the Department of Health and Human Services Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Democrats now hold more negative than positive views of HHS % who have a(n) __ opinion of the Department of Health and Human Services YearAgencyGroupFavorableUnfavorableNot sure2023HHSTotal5530152024HHSTotal5031182025HHSTotal4836152026HHSTotal4438172023HHSRep/Lean Rep3947132024HHSRep/Lean Rep3349182025HHSRep/Lean Rep5136132026HHSRep/Lean Rep5430162023HHSDem/Lean Dem7015152024HHSDem/Lean Dem6814182025HHSDem/Lean Dem4738152026HHSDem/Lean Dem374616 Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Centers for Disease Control and Prevention While Democrats continue to be more likely than Republicans to view the CDC favorably, that gap has now narrowed. A majority of Democrats (54%) currently rate the CDC positively, but this is down from the 69% who said the same a year ago. About four-in-ten Republicans (41%) rate the CDC favorably, compared with 47% who rate it unfavorably – nearly identical to last year. Democrats increasingly view the CDC unfavorably % who have a(n) __ opinion of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Democrats increasingly view the CDC unfavorably % who have a(n) __ opinion of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention YearAgencyGroupFavorableUnfavorableNot surePanel2023CDCTotal56386CDCTotal2024CDCTotal553510CDCTotal2025CDCTotal533413CDCTotal2026CDCTotal473914CDCTotal2023CDCRep/Lean Rep31636CDCRep/Lean Rep2024CDCRep/Lean Rep33599CDCRep/Lean Rep2025CDCRep/Lean Rep404911CDCRep/Lean Rep2026CDCRep/Lean Rep414712CDCRep/Lean Rep2023CDCDem/Lean Dem80155CDCDem/Lean Dem2024CDCDem/Lean Dem78129CDCDem/Lean Dem2025CDCDem/Lean Dem692012CDCDem/Lean Dem2026CDCDem/Lean Dem543312CDCDem/Lean Dem Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Justice Department and FBI While overall views of the nation’s major law enforcement agencies are little changed over the last year, the partisan trends continue to diverge. Department of Justice Views of the Justice Department have improved among Republicans: 58% have a positive view of the DOJ, up from 51% a year ago. A majority of Democrats (59%) express a negative view of the DOJ – a nearly identical share to last year. Republicans’ views of Justice Department grow more positive % who have a(n) __ opinion of the Department of Justice Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Republicans’ views of Justice Department grow more positive % who have a(n) __ opinion of the Department of Justice YearAgencyGroupFavorableUnfavorableNot sure2023Dept. of JusticeTotal4941102024Dept. of JusticeTotal4344132025Dept. of JusticeTotal3946152026Dept. of JusticeTotal4045142023Dept. of JusticeRep/Lean Rep405092024Dept. of JusticeRep/Lean Rep3356112025Dept. of JusticeRep/Lean Rep5135132026Dept. of JusticeRep/Lean Rep5831112023Dept. of JusticeDem/Lean Dem573492024Dept. of JusticeDem/Lean Dem5532122025Dept. of JusticeDem/Lean Dem2858132026Dept. of JusticeDem/Lean Dem275913 Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER FBI About six-in-ten Republicans (62%) rate the FBI favorably, up from a year ago, when 54% rated the FBI favorably. By contrast, Democrats now rate the FBI more negatively (47%) than positively (39%). A year ago, Democrats were more likely to rate the agency favorably (45%) than unfavorably (38%). Republicans grow more favorable toward FBI, Democrats more unfavorable % who have a(n) __ opinion of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Republicans grow more favorable toward FBI, Democrats more unfavorable % who have a(n) __ opinion of the Federal Bureau of Investigation YearAgencyGroupFavorableUnfavorableNot sure2023FBITotal5236122024FBITotal5133162025FBITotal4836162026FBITotal4836152023FBIRep/Lean Rep385392024FBIRep/Lean Rep3750132025FBIRep/Lean Rep5434122026FBIRep/Lean Rep6225132023FBIDem/Lean Dem6522132024FBIDem/Lean Dem6617162025FBIDem/Lean Dem4539162026FBIDem/Lean Dem384715 Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Federal Reserve and IRS Federal Reserve Republicans’ views of the Federal Reserve have improved: 46% view it favorably, while 34% view it unfavorably. About half of Democrats (53%) rate the Fed positively, though that share is down from 60% in 2025. Republicans increasingly view the Federal Reserve positively % who have a(n) __ opinion of the Federal Reserve Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Republicans increasingly view the Federal Reserve positively % who have a(n) __ opinion of the Federal Reserve YearAgencyGroupFavorableUnfavorableNot sure2023Federal ReserveTotal4337202024Federal ReserveTotal4532232025Federal ReserveTotal4928232026Federal ReserveTotal4829222023Federal ReserveRep/Lean Rep3252162024Federal ReserveRep/Lean Rep3544202025Federal ReserveRep/Lean Rep4141182026Federal ReserveRep/Lean Rep4634202023Federal ReserveDem/Lean Dem5524212024Federal ReserveDem/Lean Dem5719242025Federal ReserveDem/Lean Dem6017232026Federal ReserveDem/Lean Dem532522 Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER IRS Though both parties view the Internal Revenue Service unfavorably, their views have trended in opposite directions. Republicans have grown more favorable toward the IRS: 38% now view the agency favorably, up from 28% a year ago. By comparison, 38% of Democrats now express a positive view of the agency, down from 44% last year. Republicans’ views of the IRS improve % who have a(n) __ opinion of the Internal Revenue Service Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Republicans’ views of the IRS improve % who have a(n) __ opinion of the Internal Revenue Service YearAgencyGroupFavorableUnfavorableNot sure2023IRSTotal425172024IRSTotal3850122025IRSTotal3650142026IRSTotal3746162023IRSRep/Lean Rep296462024IRSRep/Lean Rep266592025IRSRep/Lean Rep286292026IRSRep/Lean Rep3850122023IRSDem/Lean Dem534072024IRSDem/Lean Dem5037122025IRSDem/Lean Dem4439162026IRSDem/Lean Dem384318 Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER National Park Service, National Weather Service, USPS National Park Service The National Park Service remains broadly popular, though the share of Democrats who hold a favorable opinion is down slightly, from 79% in 2025 to 74% today. Majorities in both parties continue to rate the National Park Service highly % who have a(n) __ opinion of the National Park Service Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Majorities in both parties continue to rate the National Park Service highly % who have a(n) __ opinion of the National Park Service YearAgencyGroupFavorableUnfavorableNot sure2023National Park ServiceTotal817122024National Park ServiceTotal767172025National Park ServiceTotal768152026National Park ServiceTotal739172023National Park ServiceRep/Lean Rep819102024National Park ServiceRep/Lean Rep758162025National Park ServiceRep/Lean Rep7810132026National Park ServiceRep/Lean Rep768162023National Park ServiceDem/Lean Dem844122024National Park ServiceDem/Lean Dem805152025National Park ServiceDem/Lean Dem797132026National Park ServiceDem/Lean Dem741015 Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER National Weather Service Views of the National Weather Service are also overwhelmingly positive in both parties, though somewhat less so than last year. Overwhelming shares of Republicans and Democrats view the National Weather Service favorably % who have a(n) __ opinion of the National Weather Service Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Overwhelming shares of Republicans and Democrats view the National Weather Service favorably % who have a(n) __ opinion of the National Weather Service YearAgencyGroupFavorableUnfavorableNot sure2025National Weather ServiceTotal7611132026National Weather ServiceTotal7213152025National Weather ServiceRep/Lean Rep7514112026National Weather ServiceRep/Lean Rep7013162025National Weather ServiceDem/Lean Dem818112026National Weather ServiceDem/Lean Dem751312 Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Postal Service Wide majorities in both parties view the Postal Service favorably, though views are less positive than they were a few years ago. Most Americans view Postal Service favorably, including those in both parties % who have a(n) __ opinion of the U.S. Postal Service Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Most Americans view Postal Service favorably, including those in both parties % who have a(n) __ opinion of the U.S. Postal Service YearAgencyGroupFavorableUnfavorableNot sure2023U.S. Postal ServiceTotal772032024U.S. Postal ServiceTotal722162025U.S. Postal ServiceTotal692382026U.S. Postal ServiceTotal6822102023U.S. Postal ServiceRep/Lean Rep732522024U.S. Postal ServiceRep/Lean Rep682752025U.S. Postal ServiceRep/Lean Rep633162026U.S. Postal ServiceRep/Lean Rep662772023U.S. Postal ServiceDem/Lean Dem821532024U.S. Postal ServiceDem/Lean Dem761762025U.S. Postal ServiceDem/Lean Dem761682026U.S. Postal ServiceDem/Lean Dem71199 Note: No answer responses are not shown. Source: Survey of U.S. adults conducted Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2026. PEW RESEARCH CENTER Changes in question wording and mode differences between online and phone surveys This survey marks the fourth time Pew Research Center has measured public attitudes about federal government agencies on our online American Trends Panel. We previously did so in 2025, 2024 and 2023. Earlier surveys measuring views of federal agencies, including polls fielded in 2020 and 2019, were conducted by telephone. The findings in our 2026, 2025, 2024 and 2023 web surveys are not directly comparable with those past telephone surveys for two reasons: First, the web surveys use different question wording than past telephone surveys. Online survey respondents receive an explicit “Not sure” response option. Telephone respondents, by contrast, had to volunteer that they did not have an opinion about an agency. This change generally results in a larger share of respondents declining to offer an opinion. Second, surveys conducted online and by telephone often produce different results because respondents sometimes answer similar questions differently across modes. This is called a “mode effect.” These two factors mean that point estimates (for instance, the share of respondents who express a favorable opinion about a single agency in our new survey and in a prior phone survey) should not be directly compared to measure change over time. Doing so would conflate question wording and mode differences with change over time. Despite this limitation, some broad comparisons can be made. For example, if a wide partisan gap is evident for one agency but was not apparent in past surveys – compared with partisan gaps that have remained relatively stable for other agencies – that change is likely not only a result of the transition to online polling from phone polling. In general, the agencies that are viewed most favorably in our recent online surveys were also among the most favorably viewed in past Pew Research Center surveys conducted by telephone. This fact sheet was compiled by Research Analyst Andy Cerda. Director of Political Research Jocelyn Kiley, Associate Director Steven Shepard, Research Analyst Shanay Gracia, Senior Editorial Specialist David Kent, Associate Information Graphics Designer Carson TerBush and Digital Producer Sara Atske also provided assistance.