Institutional Distrust: Americans Are Losing Faith in the Systems Meant to Govern Them

New Geostrategy polling shows fragile confidence in the presidency, Congress, the justice system, and public institutions as February’s political turmoil deepens public frustration.

February has been a turbulent month for America’s institutions. Fresh revelations from the Justice Department’s Epstein investigation have reopened questions about whether powerful figures are ever truly held accountable. At the same time, a Supreme Court ruling tied to immigration enforcement in Minnesota has sparked protests and legal challenges, with joint police and ICE operations coming under intense public scrutiny.

Against this backdrop, Americans are showing little faith in the institutions meant to deliver justice, stability, and effective governance. According to our latest poll no major institution commands overwhelming trust and most struggle to reach even modest confidence levels.

The military remains the most trusted body, but even here enthusiasm is limited. Twenty-eight percent of Americans say they have a great deal of confidence in the armed forces, while another 26% have quite a lot putting combined strong confidence at 54%. At the same time, 30% say they have only some confidence, and 16% report very little. The numbers suggest respect for the military’s role, tempered by concern over constant deployments and long-term strain.

Trust falls sharply when it comes to domestic institutions. Police earn 12% “great deal” confidence and 29% “quite a lot,” meaning just 41% express strong trust overall. Meanwhile, 34% report only some confidence, and 25% say they have very little. Recent enforcement operations in Minnesota and widely shared footage of tense encounters appear to be reinforcing long-standing divisions rather than easing them.

Public schools fare worse still. Only 9% of Americans say they have a great deal of confidence in the education system, with 21% expressing quite a lot,  just 30% combined. By contrast, 41% say they have only some confidence, and 29% very little, reflecting widespread frustration over funding battles, curriculum disputes, and teacher shortages.

The criminal justice system sits near the bottom of public trust. Just 4% of Americans express a great deal of confidence, while 17% say quite a lot barely one in five in total. Meanwhile, 40% report only some confidence and 39% very little. The Epstein case appears to have sharpened concerns that justice is applied unevenly, particularly when powerful figures are involved.

Congress ranks as the least trusted institution in the poll. A mere 3% say they have a great deal of confidence in lawmakers, with 10% expressing quite a lot, just 13% combined. Thirty percent report some confidence, while a striking 57% say they have very little. Ongoing partisan gridlock, budget standoffs, and legislative paralysis continue to erode faith in the nation’s lawmaking body.

The presidency itself remains deeply polarising. Thirteen percent of Americans say they have a great deal of confidence in the office, and 18% quite a lot, placing strong trust at 31%. At the same time, 20% express only some confidence, while nearly half, 49%, say they have very little. Trump’s handling of legal controversies, immigration enforcement, and foreign policy has cemented intense loyalty among supporters but equally entrenched opposition among critics.

Who Americans trust depends heavily on politics, age, and experience. Republicans express far higher confidence across most institutions particularly the presidency, where 66% report either a great deal or quite a lot of trust, compared with just 9% of Democrats. Conservatives also show overwhelming faith in the military, with 82% expressing strong confidence, versus only 34% of liberals.

Age divides are clear as well. Among Americans aged 65 and over, 71% express strong confidence in the military, compared with just 38% of those under 30. Younger adults consistently show lower trust across most institutions, reflecting deeper scepticism toward authority and governance.

Racial gaps are especially stark when it comes to policing. Forty-five percent of Black respondents say they have very little confidence in the police, compared with 18% of White respondents a reflection of ongoing national debates around reform, accountability, and community relations.

Gender and education play subtler roles. Men report slightly higher confidence in Congress than women (15% versus 12% strong trust), though overall faith remains extremely low. College graduates also express somewhat lower confidence in public schools than non-graduates, suggesting heightened concern about systemic shortcomings.

Taken together, the data reinforces a broader pattern seen in our previous polling: distrust is no longer a reaction to isolated scandals. It is becoming a persistent feature of American public life. Economic pressures from inflation and rising prices intensify frustration, while political controversies feed perceptions of elite impunity. Institutions increasingly feel distant from the everyday struggles of citizens and incapable of delivering meaningful change.

Yet one message stands out clearly. Where Americans see competence and clear purpose, as with the military, trust remains relatively resilient. Where they see gridlock, opacity, or perceived unfairness, confidence collapses.

Download the data tables for this poll.