New Partnership for Public Service polling finds nearly half of Americans already noticing shutdown impacts

October 17, 2025

Poll also finds 49% express concern about mass firings of federal workers 

WASHINGTON – The nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service today released the results of a new nationally representative poll that found nearly half of Americans are already noticing tangible impacts from the federal government shutdown, with substantial concern about potential job losses among federal workers. 

According to a survey produced by the Partnership from Oct. 9-13, 2025, 48% of Americans say the shutdown has impacted people in their community. These concerns cut across political party lines, with 69% of Democrats, 38% of independents and 27% of Republicans observing impacts. 

Additionally, the survey reveals widespread apprehension among the public about how large-scale federal workforce cuts could affect both individual households and broader community wellbeing. Nearly half (49%) say they would be concerned about the impact on their communities “if there are a lot of firings of federal employees during the shutdown.” 

“Our government employs over 2 million people in communities nationwide to deliver services that touch everything from public health and food safety to air travel and economic development, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone to see just how much of a burden the public is carrying from this completely avoidable shutdown,” said Max Stier, the Partnership’s president and CEO.

Stier added: “Even more alarming is that the worst effects for the public are yet to come as the Trump administration pursues additional RIFs and funding cuts in an extremely misguided attempt to use civil servants and government resources as hostages and leverage.” 

These results come from a nationally representative survey of 1,096 Americans conducted by the Partnership from Oct. 9-13, 2025, using the AmeriSpeak omnibus survey and probability panel produced by NORC at the University of Chicago.   

To learn more about how the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle federal institutions, funding streams and infrastructure are disrupting critical public services and agency work, check out the Partnership’s Federal Harms Tracker.  

For more information about how the government shutdown is impacting federal employees and the public, visit the Partnership’s government shutdown resource hub.  

During the past 24 years, the nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service has been dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. We work across administrations to help transform the way government works by providing agencies with the data insights they need to succeed, developing effective leaders, inspiring the next generation to public service, facilitating smooth presidential transitions and recognizing exceptional federal employees.    

Visit ourpublicservice.org, follow us @PublicService and subscribe today to get the latest federal news, information on upcoming Partnership programs and events, and more.  

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