Scientific Survey Indicates Government is Trying to Do Too Many Things

Albuquerque, NM – The findings of the 2025 Garrity Perception Survey (GPS’25) show that trust of state and federal government officials is at a record low and distrust is at an all-time high. According to the GPS’25, only 17 percent of New Mexico residents trust federal government officials and 19 percent trust state government officials. The scientific survey was commissioned by The Garrity Group Public Relations and conducted by Research & Polling Inc., both New Mexico firms.

“Trust in Federal government has been low since the inaugural 2011 survey, ranging from 14 percent in 2013 to 29 percent in 2020. The current sentiment about the federal government (17 percent trust) is likely driven by the fallout from the presidential leadership transition, DOGE and mass layoffs at federal agencies,” says Tom Garrity, president of The Garrity Group Public Relations. “The percentage of residents who distrust state government has risen from 35% in 2020 to 51% currently. The impacts of the legislative session may be a reason why residents feel this way.”

The GPS’25 survey also captured the sentiment that the government (in general) is trying to do too many things. Garrity continued, “Knowing that government is the largest employer in the state, it was surprising that 51 percent of residents feel that government is trying to do too many things.”

The full 2025 Garrity Perception Survey will be released in May and will include overviews of who New Mexico residents trust, what industries are viewed as favorable and how residents access news and information. The GPS’25 is also revisiting insights from the 2011 survey to explore how opinions have evolved around trust in government and corporations. Additionally, the results will include the importance of faith and just how stressed-out New Mexico residents are in 2025.

Federal Government Officials
Only 17 percent of New Mexico residents trust federal government officials, a 12 percentage point decrease since January of 2020. More than half of New Mexico residents (52 percent) distrust federal government officials, a 14 percentage point increase since January of 2020.

Respondents were asked for their level of trust of federal government officials which can include the President, Senators, Representatives and/or federal agencies.

According to a 2024 Congressional Research Service report, there are 22,343 New Mexicans in federal civilian employment.

State Government Officials
New Mexico residents’ trust of state government officials dropped 12 percentage points since January of 2020. Only 19 percent of residents trust state government officials. Distrust of state government officials increased by 16 percentage points since January of 2020.

Respondents were asked for their level of trust of state government officials which can include the Governor, legislature and/or state agencies.

According to New Mexico’s State Personnel Office, there are approximately 18,000 New Mexicans employed by the state across 68 executive state agencies, boards and commissions.

Government’s Role to Solve the Country’s Problems
The scientific survey also asked New Mexico residents about their personal views of the government’s role in solving the country’s problems. The survey revealed that 51 percent of residents feel that the government is trying to do too many things, 36 percent said government should do more and 7 percent indicated they are doing about right.

The survey also asked residents if they trust that government will do the right thing and if they trust that corporations will do the right thing. These findings will be released in May 2025.

Government is seen from the perspective of the respondent and is not defined as being federal, state, county or city. A corporation is defined from the perspective of the respondent and not defined as being privately held, utilities, publicly traded, for-profit, or non-profit.

About the Garrity Perception Survey
The 2025 Garrity Perception Survey measures New Mexicans’ trust of 15 people/professions, favorability of 17 industries/institutions and how residents access news/information. The scientific survey of New Mexico residents was first deployed in 2011. The GPS’25 is commissioned by The Garrity Group and conducted by Research & Polling Inc. The survey has a 95 percent level of confidence. All interviews were conducted between February 3 and February 16, 2025. To sign up for Garrity Perception Survey Insights or to book a presentation visit https://garritypr.com/research/.

About The Garrity Group
Established in 1997, The Garrity Group helps small businesses to be heard and large organizations to be understood. The firm provides media relations and community engagement services for companies and organizations with a presence in New Mexico. For more information about the firm and our services, please visit https://garritypr.com.

https://nmnewswire.com/distrust-of-state-and-federal-government-officials-at-all-time-high/