Evaluating Trump’s First Month in Office: Epoch Readers’ Poll

In his first month, the president has delivered major policy changes, winning broad approval among readers surveyed.

After returning to the White House for a second term, President Donald Trump has moved boldly to implement his vision for America, with an Epoch Times poll showing overwhelming support for his actions during his first 30 days in office.

From cracking down on illegal immigration to dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across the federal government, Trump has enacted sweeping changes through a series of executive orders that have dramatically altered federal policy. Some initiatives have already yielded results, such as billions of dollars in government spending cuts and a sharp decline in illegal border crossings.

The Epoch Times survey, with responses from more than 30,000 readers, indicates strong support for Trump’s early policies, particularly in border security, countering transgender ideology in schools, and deploying the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to streamline federal operations and save taxpayer dollars.

However, certain proposals—such as eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), imposing tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and seeking to acquire Greenland from Denmark—generated more opposition.

Topline Poll Results

In its first 30 days, the Trump administration received 92 percent approval, with 87 percent strongly endorsing its performance.

Disapproval remained low at 8 percent, with only 7 percent expressing strong objections.

Approval for Trump’s performance—both overall and in specific policy areas—was highest among respondents aged 55–64, with 90 percent expressing strong support and another 4 percent somewhat approving of the overall job the administration has done in its first month at the helm of government.

The overall trend indicates robust approval of Trump’s first month as the 47th president, despite lawsuits challenging his actions and fierce resistance from Democrats who say he is bypassing Congress. His harshest critics have gone as far as saying that his executive decisions could trigger a constitutional crisis.

President Donald Trump delivers remarks in Palm Beach, Fla., on Feb. 18, 2025. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Curbing Illegal Immigration

The administration’s efforts to strengthen border security received the highest levels of approval.

The vast majority—92 percent—strongly support the administration’s border security measures, with another 3 percent somewhat approving. Only 4 percent disapprove, including 2 percent who somewhat disapprove.

Immigration and border control were top voter priorities in the 2024 election, rivaled only by economic concerns including inflation and affordability. Pre-election polls highlighted widespread concern over record-high illegal border crossings and inflation peaking at 9 percent under former President Joe Biden.

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On his first day in office, Trump signed 10 executive orders and proclamations addressing border security and the deportation of illegal immigrants. He ended “catch and release,” shut down the CBP One app used for parole exceptions, and pressured Mexico through the threat of tariffs into deploying 10,000 troops to curb drug trafficking and tighten enforcement of immigration controls.

The administration’s deportation policies also received strong support. Eighty-six percent strongly approved—and 8 percent somewhat supported—removing individuals without legal status from the United States. Only 5 percent disapproved.

Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, said recently that Border Patrol agent apprehensions of illegal border crossers had fallen below 300 from more than 11,000 at the height of the crisis under the Biden administration.

“I started as a Border Patrol Agent in 1984, and I don’t remember the numbers ever being that low,” Homan said on Feb. 17.

Illegal immigrants await takeoff for a removal flight at the Tucson International Airport, Ariz., on Jan. 23, 2025. Under the direction of U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Transportation Command is supporting Immigration and Customs Enforcement removal flights by providing military airlift. Dept. of Defense photo by Senior Airman Devlin Bishop

Transgender Ideology and DEI

Trump’s actions to remove transgender ideology from K–12 schools received overwhelming approval. Ninety-four percent approve, with only 5 percent disapproving, while neutral opinions were negligible.

His executive order, Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling, aims to cut federal funding for schools promoting gender ideology, critical race theory, and equity-based policies. It also directs state and local attorneys general to work with the U.S. attorney general to take action against teachers engaged in misconduct, unauthorized medical advice or treatment, or supporting students to change their gender identity without parental consent.

Trump’s broader stance on transgender policies includes an executive order reaffirming that the United States recognizes only two sexes—male and female—asserting that they are “not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality.” He also ended federal support for gender-reassignment procedures for minors, calling them “chemical and surgical mutilation.”

Efforts to eliminate DEI policies also found strong backing. Ninety percent of respondents strongly approve of dismantling DEI programs, with 2 percent somewhat approving. Disapproval was minimal at 7 percent.

During his campaign, Trump frequently denounced DEI initiatives as discriminatory and wasteful. Upon taking office, he swiftly signed three executive orders to eliminate DEI programs in federal agencies and government-funded institutions.

Two federal judges have blocked Trump’s order cutting funds for “gender-affirming care” for minors. The ACLU has condemned his stance on sex definitions as discriminatory, while civil rights groups sued over his anti-DEI policies, arguing they are needed to combat “systemic inequalities and discrimination.”

People hold up signs during a rally against critical race theory (CRT) being taught in schools at the Loudoun County Government center in Leesburg, Va., on June 12, 2021. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

Foreign Aid, USAID, and WHO

Trump’s plan to overhaul the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and pause foreign aid received strong approval.

Eighty-nine percent of respondents support restructuring USAID, with only 7 percent opposing. On his first day, Trump placed a 90-day freeze on all U.S. foreign aid disbursements to reassess whether such expenditures align with national interests. He also initiated efforts to integrate USAID into the State Department, a long-discussed conservative policy proposal.

Additionally, Trump’s orders to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris Climate Accord received widespread backing. Eighty-five percent strongly approve, while 5 percent somewhat approve. Disapproval stood at 8 percent.

Trump said the climate accord imposed unfair restrictions on the United States while allowing other nations to continue unrestricted despite their high emissions. His administration estimated that leaving the accord would save the United States $1 trillion.

The executive order to withdraw from the WHO cited financial burdens, political interference, and mismanagement of global health crises—including the COVID-19 pandemic—as key reasons for the decision.

The lobby of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) headquarters in Washington on Feb. 3, 2025. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Government Downsizing and DOGE

Led by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, DOGE has played a crucial role in Trump’s mission to cut federal spending and reduce government waste.

Eighty-eight percent of respondents strongly support DOGE’s work, with 4 percent somewhat approving. Disapproval remained low at 7 percent.

DOGE has already saved taxpayers an estimated $55 billion through the cancellation of unnecessary government contracts. The initiative aims to cut $2 trillion in federal spending before its planned dissolution on July 4, 2026.

Trump has said DOGE has already found “billions and billions of dollars in waste, fraud, and abuse,” while Musk has stated that reduction of federal expenses as “essential for America to remain solvent as a country.”

Among DOGE’s cost-cutting measures is the elimination of government-paid media subscriptions to outlets including The New York Times and Politico; this effort received 92 percent approval from respondents, while only 4 percent were opposed.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed in early February that millions of taxpayer dollars were being spent on subscriptions to various media outlets, including more than $8 million for Politico and over $3 million for The New York Times. She said this “will no longer be happening” and a DOGE list of canceled contracts shows that subscriptions to these, and other outlets, have been dropped.

Readers also weighed in on Trump’s proposal to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and shift disaster response to state governments. Support for abolishing FEMA was lower than for most other Trump initiatives, with 65 percent expressing strong approval, 20 percent somewhat supporting, and 9 percent disapproving.

In contrast, Trump’s proposal to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and shift its duties to states had stronger backing, with 78 percent strongly approving, 12 percent somewhat approving, and just 8 percent disapproving.

The U.S. Department of Education building in Washington on July 6, 2023. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

Energy, Environment

Trump’s focus on boosting domestic energy production has been widely endorsed.

Pledging to “unleash American energy dominance,” Trump declared a national energy emergency and signed orders to boost production and ease regulations. At least eight executive orders focus on energy, with four revoking more than 200 Biden-era rules and cutting red tape.

Ninety-two percent approve or strongly approve of Trump’s various actions to expand domestic energy production, in particular oil and gas drilling, with only 6 percent disapproving.

Support for rolling back subsidies for electric vehicles and renewable energy programs stood at 76 percent, with 12 percent somewhat approving. Six percent disapproved, while another 6 percent were neutral.

Meanwhile, eliminating environmental regulations garnered 88 percent support, including 17 percent lukewarm endorsement. Disapproval was at 9 percent, suggesting a slightly more contentious stance on environmental deregulation.

Trump revoked several Biden-era climate orders, including those creating the National Climate Task Force and State Department’s Climate Office. His “Unleashing American Energy” order also disbanded the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases group, excluded its work from policy, and directed agencies to reconsider the other greenhouse gas regulations.

An oil pump jack in a field in Nolan, Texas, on June 28, 2024. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

China, Greenland, and More

The Trump administration’s early moves on the international stage generally had solid backing.

Trump’s hard-line stance on China saw overwhelming support, with 83 percent strongly approving of efforts to counter Beijing’s global influence, and 10 percent saying they somewhat agree. Only 3 percent expressed disapproval.

The U.S. intelligence community previously identified hostile actions against the United States by the Chinese Communist Party as “the defining threat of our generation,” including unprecedented efforts to gut American innovation, steal valuable personal data, conduct cyberattacks on key infrastructure, and fan the flames of America’s deadly opioid crisis.

Trump signed an executive order imposing tariffs on China in response to its role in the manufacture and distribution of chemicals that criminal networks turn into fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, and smuggle into the United States. Nearly 550,000 pounds of fentanyl—enough to kill nearly 111 billion people—were seized by law enforcement at the nation’s borders in each of the last three years, Trump’s order states.

Besides imposing 10 percent tariffs on China, the Trump administration also threatened to impose 25 percent duties on all imports from Canada and Mexico, although the latter have been put on hold after the two countries agreed to take steps to bolster border security.

Approval for tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico had the strong support of 61 percent of Epoch Times readers, with 21 percent saying they support it to a lesser degree. Overall disapproval stood at 9 percent.

The president’s push to renegotiate NATO funding and reevaluate U.S. aid to Ukraine had strong backing, with 90 percent approving or strongly approving, and just 8 percent disapproving.

Trump has criticized NATO members for not meeting their 2 percent defense spending targets, and recently proposed a higher 5 percent goal instead. He has also vowed to end the Ukraine war and argued Europe should take on more financial responsibility for helping Kyiv counter Russia’s invasion and for providing security guarantees once a peace deal is finally reached.

Another of Trump’s ideas is to potentially reclaim control of the Panama Canal. There was some hesitation toward this proposal among respondents, with 84 percent approving and 8 percent disapproving, and 8 percent neutral.

The least popular foreign policy move was Trump’s idea to buy Greenland, which drew only 34 percent strong approval, 28 percent mild approval. Twenty-five percent were neutral and 13 percent disapproved—making it the most divisive proposal in the survey.

Shipping containers are organized at the Houston Port of Authority in Houston on Feb. 10, 2025. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Write-In Responses

The write-in responses overwhelmingly emphasize government spending and debt reduction, followed closely by border security, tax reform, and federal government reform.

A significant number of respondents demand aggressive spending cuts, a balanced budget, and reduced government intervention in the economy. Many advocate for the abolition of certain federal agencies, reflecting a broader frustration with government inefficiency.

Border security and immigration enforcement rank as the second most mentioned issue, with strong calls for mass deportations, stricter asylum policies, and an end to sanctuary cities.

Tax reform is another major concern, with respondents favoring lower taxes and a simplified tax code. Many also support eliminating or drastically restructuring the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Inflation, economic growth, and job creation are major concerns, with support for deregulation and pro-business policies. Social Security, health care affordability, and fraud in government also draw strong reactions, alongside demands for accountability and prosecutions.

Election integrity remains an important issue, with support for stricter voter ID laws and audits. Respondents also frequently mention energy independence, military strength, and a tougher stance on China. Many advocate for term limits and judicial independence.

The overall sentiment showed respondents want aggressive spending cuts, border security, lower taxes, less bureaucracy, and stronger economic growth with greater government accountability.

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