The First 100 Days

President Trump’s first 100 days in office have come and gone. As politicians, pundits, and historians continue to weigh in on his performance, one question remains largely unaddressed:

What do the President’s own employees think?

In order to answer this question, Government Business Council, the research arm of Government Executive Media Group, surveyed 1,295 qualified federal employees representing a range of agencies and political affiliations. Several conclusions can be drawn:

• Approval is low, with 37% expressing satisfaction with Trump’s performance so far
• Trump is more popular with men (42%) than with women (31%)
• Trump is viewed more favorably by government employees based outside the Beltway (40%) than by those within (29%)
• While the President enjoys steadfast support from Republicans, escalating opposition from Democrats and Independents undercuts his popularity overall  

How has Trump performed as a manager? What will be the ultimate impact of his planned workforce reductions and early executive orders? Has he changed the federal government's reputation for the better, or for the worse? For the individuals charged with executing his vision, these questions are top of mind — and their answers serve as an early indicator of what lies far beyond these first 100 days.

Research Methodology

Government Business Council released a survey from April 20 to April 25, 2017 to a random sample of Government Executive, Nextgov, Defense One, and Route Fifty subscribers. 1,295 federal employees qualified for the survey, 58% of whom are at or above the GS/GM-13 grade level. The margin of error is +/- 3% at the 95% confidence level.

Agencies remain productive, but many are dissatisfied with Trump’s first actions as manager

Most respondents (68%) feel that they have maintained productivity throughout President Trump’s first 100 days in office. However, this is one of few points of agreement between respondents of opposite parties: 65% of Republicans, for instance, express confidence in their organization’s newly appointed leadership, compared to just 11% of Democrats. A majority of federal employees — particularly Democrats (85%) and Independents (62%) — feel that Trump’s management agenda lacks clarity; on the other hand, nearly 3 in 4 Republicans say that Trump’s priorities are clear.

Most lack enthusiasm for Trump’s early efforts to reform the federal workforce. Over half of respondents believe the hiring freeze — instituted from January 23 to April 12, 2017 — impeded their organization’s effectiveness. Likewise, most respondents believe that plans to reduce the federal workforce will challenge their organization’s long-term ability to deliver on mission objectives (58%). While 63% of Republicans feel the new President respects the federal workforce, 88% of Democrats and 58% of Independents do not feel such respect under the new administration.

Party polarization is on display when it comes to Trump’s early policy decisions

Opinions of President Trump’s policies show a government still divided by the most contentious election in recent history. By and large, Republicans support many of the President’s early policy decisions: whether it’s the temporary pause on admitting immigrants from six Middle Eastern nations (78%), the Executive Order eliminating two regulations for every new one created (70%), the President’s review of Obama-era climate change policies (74%), or his plans to erect a wall along the border with Mexico (65%), Republican support remains robust for many of the President’s early decisions.

However, Democrats — and to a large extent, many Independents — maintain a different perspective. 74% of Democrats and 48% of Independents oppose the travel ban, 71% of Democrats and 49% of Independents oppose Trump’s review of climate change policies, and 91% of Democrats oppose construction of a border wall — with 62% of Independents backing them on the matter. Disagreements aside, federal employees find some common ground when it comes to the recent retaliatory air strike on Syria: 48% approve, 28% disapprove.  

Many federal employees question the President’s ethical standing

Federal employees — particularly Democrats and Independents — feel that many of President Trump’s decisions invite greater scrutiny. 60% of all respondents agree his business relationships pose a conflict of interest with his duties as President, and 62% disapprove of his appointment of family members — such as daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner — to high-level positions in the administration. Moreover, nearly two-thirds (65%) of respondents believe the investigation into Trump’s associations with the Russian government has impacted his ability to lead the country. Perhaps as a result, a majority of respondents (61%) believe that Trump’s first 100 days in office has had a negative effect on the federal government’s reputation as a whole.

Most federal employees — especially those who identify as Democrats — disapprove of President Trump's performance thus far.

A majority of respondents feel that the President lacks respect for the federal workforce. However, opinions vary by party: Republicans feel respected, while Democrats do not.

According to most respondents, federal organizations have managed to maintain productivity throughout Trump's first 100 days.

Federal employees demonstrate split opinions regarding their organization's newly appointed political leadership — Republicans are largely confident in appointees' ability to advance mission, while Democrats generally lack confidence.

Most federal respondents feel that Trump's federal management agenda lacks clarity. This perception does, however, vary according to political affiliation: Republicans feel that management priorities are clear, while Democrats disagree.

Most respondents feel that the 2017 federal hiring freeze — in effect from January 23 to April 12, 2017 — impeded agency effectiveness.

A majority of federal employees believe that the Trump administration's call for near-term workforce reductions will impede agency effectiveness.

A majority of Republicans support Trump's travel ban, while Democrats are mostly opposed.

Republicans are largely supportive of Trump's Executive Order on "Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs," while Democrats are opposed.

Trump's plan to review actions taken by the Obama administration on climate change has garnered split reactions: Republicans are generally supportive, while Democrats are opposed.

A majority of federal employees do not support the President's proposed construction of a wall along the Mexican border. Democrats, in particular, are overwhelmingly opposed.

Responses to Trump's "Comprehensive Plan for Reorganizing the Executive Branch" are split across party lines: Republicans support the order, while Democrats are opposed.

Most Republicans feel that their organization is curtailed by an excessive number of federal regulations; Democrats, however, feel that existing regulations are appropriate.

A plurality of federal employees approve of Trump's airstrikes in Syria; Republicans, in particular, are largely supportive.

A majority of federal employees — including over 90% of Democrats — feel that Trump's business relationships pose a conflict of interest with his presidential duties.

Federal employees — especially Democrats — generally disapprove of the President's appointment of family members to high-level administration positions.

Most respondents — including 93% of Democrats — feel that Trump has had a negative impact on the federal government's reputation. A small majority of Republicans, however, feel that he has had a positive impact.

A large majority of federal respondents believe that the President should be held to the same standards as other federal employees.

A majority of Democrats feel that the ongoing investigation into Trump's associations with the Russian government has impacted his ability to lead. Most Republicans, on the other hand, feel that the investigation has had no impact.