Trump Approval Declines Amid Economic Slowdown, Rising Inflation

President Donald Trump has expressed strong opposition to the visible homelessness encampments in Washington, DC, linking the issue to broader concerns about crime and the city's image ahead of hosting world leaders, and has initiated measures including police control shifts and National Guard deployment to address the situation. Despite tens of millions of Americans voting for Trump in 2024 based on the belief in his competence, recent polls reveal a significant decline in public confidence in his effectiveness as a chief executive, with only about a quarter of adults feeling his policies have helped them, while half believe they have caused harm. Analysts Peter Wehner and Robert P. Beschel Jr. argue that incompetence is Trump's most politically damaging flaw, surpassing concerns about corruption or authoritarianism, as evidenced by mismanagement in economic policies, disaster relief, and healthcare innovation under his administration. Independent voters initially prioritized perceived effectiveness over democratic principles in supporting Trump, but growing public dissatisfaction and low approval ratings across major policy areas suggest a hardening negative perception of his leadership. Critics note that Trump's administration has often treated career civil servants as adversaries, leading to reckless cost-cutting and policy failures, which has contributed to the erosion of confidence among Americans. Democrats are encouraged to counter by highlighting personal stories that illustrate the tangible harms caused by the Trump administration's governance failures.