According to Gallup’s latest survey, 62% of Americans say the federal government holds too much power — the highest level recorded since the poll began in 2002. That figure is up sharply from 51% last year and surpasses the previous high of 60% seen during Barack Obama’s second term. By comparison, the long-term average for this sentiment is 53%.

In the early 2000s, fewer than half of Americans believed the government had excessive power, a reflection of post-9/11 unity. But since 2005, that figure has consistently stayed at or above 50%, peaking this year under President Donald Trump’s second term.

The increase is driven largely by shifting partisan views. Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents reporting that the government has too much power jumped from 25% to 66% in the past ye

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