Who’s winning the blame game over the government shutdown? Everyone and no one, AP-NORC poll finds
October 16, 2025
A new poll finds most Americans see the government shutdown as a significant problem as it drags on. The AP-NORC poll also finds there’s plenty of blame being cast on President Donald Trump as well as Republicans and Democrats in Congress. Leaders warn the shutdown could become one of the longest ever. Americans are beginning to see the impacts on their lives with delayed flights and hundreds of thousands of federal employees being furloughed or working without pay. The poll shows roughly 6 in 10 Americans say Trump and Republicans in Congress have “a great deal” or “quite a bit” of responsibility for the shutdown, compared with 54% who say that about Democrats.