A New York Times/Siena College poll reveals majority of voters concerned about President Trump’s exercise of executive power, despite continued support for his core agenda.

At a Glance

• 54% of voters believe President Trump is overreaching with his executive power initiatives
• Trump’s approval rating stands at 42%, historically low for early in a presidential term
• Only 43% approve of Trump’s economic management, showing declining confidence
• 55% of voters oppose Trump’s widespread tariff proposals, including 63% of independents
• Voters believe Trump has “gone too far” on multiple policy fronts including immigration enforcement

Americans Express Concerns Over Executive Power

Recent polling data reveals significant voter apprehension regarding President Trump’s use of executive authority. According to the comprehensive New York Times/Siena College survey, 54% of Americans believe the president is overstepping bounds with his aggressive expansion of executive power. This sentiment cuts across partisan lines and includes voices from within his own base of supporters. The findings suggest that while many voters may support the president’s broader agenda, they remain cautious about the methods employed to achieve policy goals.

The poll indicates that Trump’s approval rating stands at 42%, which analysts note is historically low for a president at this stage of his term. Economic approval has slipped to 43%, a concerning metric for an administration that has consistently positioned economic strength as a cornerstone achievement. These numbers point to potential vulnerability as the administration continues implementing its policy agenda.

Breaking News: A majority of voters believe President Trump is overreaching with his aggressive efforts to expand executive power, and they have deep doubts about some of the signature pieces of his agenda, a New York Times/Siena College poll found. https://t.co/E7FwPrcX9Q

— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 25, 2025

Policy Specifics Drawing Voter Skepticism

When examining specific policy areas, the poll reveals particular voter concern regarding Trump’s tariff initiatives. A substantial 55% of Americans oppose widespread tariff implementation, with an even more pronounced 63% of independent voters expressing opposition. This suggests the administration’s economic approach may be alienating crucial swing voters who traditionally respond positively to Republican economic messaging.

Immigration enforcement and federal workforce reductions also register as areas where voters believe the administration has “gone too far.” This assessment comes despite immigration being a signature issue that resonated strongly with Trump’s base during campaign rallies. The disconnect between campaign messaging and governance perception demonstrates the challenges of translating campaign rhetoric into acceptable governance approaches.

NEW: First NYT poll of the second Trump presidency.

Trump at 42% approval — and facing concerns about his use of executive power on a range of issues.https://t.co/t3GHzvplNx

— Shane Goldmacher (@ShaneGoldmacher) April 25, 2025

Connection Gap With Average Americans

The poll raises questions about the administration’s ability to relate to ordinary citizens. Only 44% of respondents believe Trump understands their problems, with an even smaller 31% of independents sharing this view. This perception gap could explain why voters report being more than twice as likely to say Trump’s policies have hurt rather than helped them personally. Such disconnection typically hinders long-term political success regardless of party affiliation.

Conservative analysts note that these numbers should be viewed in proper context. The poll’s source from Democrats.org suggests potential sampling bias that could exaggerate negative sentiment.

Additionally, similar concerns about executive overreach were voiced about both Presidents Obama and Biden, suggesting this may reflect broader American wariness about expanding presidential authority rather than specific opposition to Trump’s agenda. Many Republicans believe these numbers will improve as policy initiatives begin showing tangible results for American families.

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