Poll shows most Americans blame Trump and GOP for government shutdown

According to a recent Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos survey, a plurality of Americans place the primary blame for the prolonged government shutdown on President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers. The poll, conducted as the funding lapse approaches one month, indicates that 45% of U.S. adults attribute responsibility to the GOP, while 33% chiefly fault congressional Democrats for the political stalemate.

Sharp Divide Among Independents

The partisan split becomes even more pronounced among independent voters, who represent a crucial swing demographic. Within this group, respondents were twice as likely to assign blame to Republicans compared to Democrats. This finding suggests that the political fallout from the shutdown may disproportionately impact the GOP's standing with unaffiliated voters.

Widespread Public Concern

Public anxiety over the shutdown's consequences is significant and growing. The survey data shows that three-quarters of American adults report being "very" or "somewhat concerned" about the ongoing disruption. Economic anxiety appears most acute among low-income households and self-identified Democrats, reflecting the uneven impact of the government closure on different segments of the population.

Political Recriminations Continue

The political deadlock stems from a disagreement over government funding that expired on October 1, primarily centered on Affordable Care Act subsidies. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer has publicly asserted that "the shutdown is on Donald Trump’s back," while Republicans like Senator John Barrasso have countered that Democrats are engaging in "dangerous political games" by refusing their terms. The survey of 2,725 adults has a margin of error of ±1.9 percentage points, and if the shutdown continues until November 5, it will become the longest in U.S. history.