A fresh Reuters/Ipsos national polling survey reveals that most Americans place blame broadly for the government shutdown on Republicans, Democrats, and President Trump himself. The survey, with a sample of 1,154 U.S. adults, finds 67% saying Republicans in Congress deserve “a fair amount” or “a great deal” of blame, while 63% attribute similar responsibility to Democrats in Congress, and 63% also point to Trump.
The breakdown: about 38% of respondents say Republicans deserve “a great deal” of blame, and 29% say “a fair amount.” For Democrats in Congress, 31% say “a great deal,” and 32% “a fair amount.” Among those who assign no blame at all, 12% name Republicans and 11% name Democrats.
Complementing this, a Washington Post poll of 1,010 adults (conducted just as the shutdown began) showed a stronger tilt against Republicans and Trump. 47% in that survey said Trump and congressional Republicans were mainly responsible, compared with 30% blaming Democrats. Independents especially leaned toward Republicans being responsible.
Meanwhile, a CBS News / YouGov poll finds broad discontent: few believe the shutdown is “worth it,” and all major actors (Trump, Republicans, and Democrats) receive negative ratings for how they’re handling the crisis.
Another insight comes from a Navigator Research poll: when forced to pick who is more to blame, 45% say Trump + Republicans, 32% say Democrats. The framing of health care and messaging campaigns further tilt perceptions against Republicans and Trump.
In short: while many Americans assign blame across the political spectrum, the public leans modestly more toward Republicans and Trump as culpable. The poll suggests that in the early days of the shutdown, no single party or figure is spared, but blame is distributed unevenly.
Why It Matters
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Political accountability
— With Republicans controlling both Congress and the White House, the high blame attribution could translate into electoral backlash in upcoming midterms. -
Messaging & persuasion leverage
— Democrats may use these polling numbers to reinforce narratives that the GOP is responsible for gridlock; Republicans will scramble to shift or share blame. -
Influence on negotiations
— Politicians may feel pressure to compromise as public patience weakens, especially if their base perceives them as bearing the brunt of blame. -
Shaping media narratives
— Polls feed into media framing, which can further amplify public perception that Republicans/Trump are driving the crisis. -
Test of public tolerance
— If the shutdown continues, these blame metrics may shift. Early blame could harden into deeper political damage for those perceived most responsible.
Key Poll Outcomes & Legal/Political Implications
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High bipartisan blame share
— A significant portion of the public (63%) holds both parties partly responsible — indicating widespread frustration with the political system. Reuters -
Republicans edge in blame attribution
— Republicans receive somewhat higher blame (67%) than Democrats (63%), suggesting a tilt in public perception. Reuters+1 -
Trump’s culpability perceived
— Trump is held responsible at a level comparable to congressional parties (63%), indicating personal accountability in public eyes. Reuters -
Stronger blame in Washington Post poll
— In that poll, 47% said Trump + Republicans were mainly responsible, compared with 30% who blamed Democrats. The Washington Post -
All sides negatively rated
— The CBS poll underscores that no major actor emerges unscathed; Trump, GOP, and Democrats all get net negative assessments on handling the shutdown. CBS News
Source & Publication Date
