A fresh survey from Pew Research reveals a deeply entrenched partisan divide: most Republicans and Democrats now prioritize advancing their own policies over achieving bipartisan compromise. The findings underscore a hardening of political positions as the 2026 midterm cycle approaches.
Among Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, 76% say President Trump is doing an excellent or good job pushing for his policies, regardless of whether Democratic officials agree. This overwhelming approval reflects a base that values ideological consistency over cross-party negotiation.
Democrats and Democratic leaners remain far more critical of their own elected officials' performance in pushing back against Trump's agenda. The survey captures a clear asymmetry: Republican voters broadly endorse their leaders' confrontational approach, while Democratic voters express dissatisfaction with the effectiveness of their party's opposition.
The findings suggest little appetite for legislative cooperation in the near term. With both parties incentivized to prioritize base-pleasing over deal-making, voters may face continued gridlock on major issues ranging from budget negotiations to immigration reform.
While the survey captures current sentiment, it does not account for how these attitudes might shift during a crisis requiring bipartisan action.