• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
government shutdown

Americans Blame GOP and Trump for Government Shutdown, Poll Says

Emma Hinchliffe
By
Emma Hinchliffe
Emma Hinchliffe
Most Powerful Women Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
Emma Hinchliffe
By
Emma Hinchliffe
Emma Hinchliffe
Most Powerful Women Editor
Down Arrow Button Icon
January 13, 2019, 10:37 AM ET

Americans hold President Donald Trump and the GOP responsible for the ongoing government shutdown, according to a new ABC News/Washington Post poll.

The shutdown is now the longest in the country’s history. Democrats overwhelmingly blame Republicans: 85% of Democrats lay blame at Congressional Republicans and Trump. But when you take a look at Republicans’ view, the numbers aren’t as extreme; only 68% of Republicans blame Democrats for the shutdown, by comparison.

Fifteen percent of Republicans blame their fellow Republicans for the government’s standstill, and another 15% of Republicans blame both parties equally.

In total, 53% of poll respondents blame the Republican side for the shutdown.

The same poll, however, showed increased support for Trump on one issue: a wall at the U.S.-Mexican border. Forty-two percent of survey respondents support Trump on his proposed wall—a key issue holding up the government from reaching a spending deal—and that number surpasses a previous high of 37% support in 2017. Sixty-six percent of respondents, however, oppose Trump using emergency powers to get a border wall built—something he has floated during the shutdown.

More Americans—54%—still say they oppose a border wall. The poll surveyed Americans by landline and cell phone from Jan. 8 to 11.

About the Author
Emma Hinchliffe
By Emma HinchliffeMost Powerful Women Editor
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon

Emma Hinchliffe is Fortune’s Most Powerful Women editor, overseeing editorial for the longstanding franchise. As a senior writer at Fortune, Emma has covered women in business and gender-lens news across business, politics, and culture. She is the lead author of the Most Powerful Women Daily newsletter (formerly the Broadsheet), Fortune’s daily missive for and about the women leading the business world.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in

U.S. President Donald Trump reacts during a Cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on March 26, 2026 in Washington, DC
EnergyIran
Markets cheer as Trump threatens to abandon Iran War, but Jamie Dimon sides with allies: ‘win this thing and clean up the straits’
By Eva RoytburgMarch 31, 2026
56 minutes ago
three men pose for camera
Cryptostablecoins
Exclusive: Former Stripe and Coinbase employees raise $8 million for Latitude, a startup whose core product is stablecoin-based ‘Global Payouts’
By Carlos GarciaMarch 31, 2026
1 hour ago
McCormick combines with Unilever’s food division and adds Hellmann’s and Knorr to its brands
Arts & EntertainmentUnilever
McCormick combines with Unilever’s food division and adds Hellmann’s and Knorr to its brands
By The Associated PressMarch 31, 2026
1 hour ago
The rise of the supervisor class is just beginning.
CommentaryAI agents
The supervisor class: how AI agents are remaking the developer’s career
By Mohith ShrivastavaMarch 31, 2026
2 hours ago
schumer
PoliticsCongress
Democrats in disarray as rank and file clash with Chuck Schumer’s plan to run elderly moderates in must-win races
By Joey Cappelletti and The Associated PressMarch 31, 2026
2 hours ago
rice's whale
Environmentendangered species
Trump’s plan to drill for oil in the Gulf of Mexico could be foiled by just 50 survivors of a rare whale species
By Tammy Webber and The Associated PressMarch 31, 2026
2 hours ago

Most Popular

Jerome Powell says the $39 trillion national debt is ‘not unsustainable,’ but warns the trajectory ‘will not end well’
Economy
Jerome Powell says the $39 trillion national debt is ‘not unsustainable,’ but warns the trajectory ‘will not end well’
By Fortune EditorsMarch 30, 2026
19 hours ago
A man used AI to call 3,000 Irish bartenders to track the cost of Guinness. Now pubs are lowering their prices to compete
AI
A man used AI to call 3,000 Irish bartenders to track the cost of Guinness. Now pubs are lowering their prices to compete
By Fortune EditorsMarch 30, 2026
23 hours ago
413,793 KitKat bars stolen: 'Whilst we appreciate the criminals’ exceptional taste, the fact remains that cargo theft is an escalating issue'
Europe
413,793 KitKat bars stolen: 'Whilst we appreciate the criminals’ exceptional taste, the fact remains that cargo theft is an escalating issue'
By Fortune EditorsMarch 28, 2026
3 days ago
A CEO trying to reindustrialize America says blue-collar pay is headed for 'massive hyperinflation' and kids should skip college to become welders
Success
A CEO trying to reindustrialize America says blue-collar pay is headed for 'massive hyperinflation' and kids should skip college to become welders
By Fortune EditorsMarch 30, 2026
23 hours ago
Current price of gold as of March 30, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of gold as of March 30, 2026
By Fortune EditorsMarch 30, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of silver as of Monday, March 30, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of silver as of Monday, March 30, 2026
By Fortune EditorsMarch 30, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.