National Park Service and National Weather Service top list of federal agencies with highest approval ratings
A study by the Pew Research Center reveals that eight of the 12 federal agencies evaluated receive more favorable than unfavorable opinions. ICE and the IRS are among the least popular institutions, while significant differences persist between Republicans and Democrats.
Reference image from the DOJ
The National Park Service, the National Weather Service and the Postal Service are among the federal agencies most highly rated by Americans, according to a survey by the Pew Research Center.
The study found that eight of the 12 federal agencies evaluated receive more favorable than unfavorable opinions. At least two-thirds of respondents have a positive opinion of the National Park Service, the National Weather Service and the Postal Service.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has the most unfavorable rating among the 12 institutions analyzed. Fifty-six percent of Americans have a negative opinion of ICE, compared with 35% who express a favorable opinion.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is also among the least popular agencies, with a net favorability rating of -9 percentage points. ICE has a rating of -21 points.
Wide differences between Republicans and Democrats
The survey reveals significant partisan differences in perceptions of various federal agencies, particularly those related to immigration, security and law enforcement.
The most pronounced gap is seen with ICE: 67% of Republicans have a favorable view of the agency, compared with 9% of Democrats.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, also shows significant differences. Seven out of 10 Republicans view the department favorably, while only 22% of Democrats view it favorably.
Opinions on the Department of Justice also differ. Fifty-eight percent of Republicans view the institution favorably, compared with 59% of Democrats who express an unfavorable opinion.
In the case of the FBI, 62% of Republicans view it favorably. Among Democrats, 47% have a negative opinion and 39% have a positive one.
ICE loses support over past year
The study also identifies a decline in public perception of ICE. The proportion of Americans who have an unfavorable opinion of the agency rose from 49% in 2025 to 56% in 2026.
The shift is evident among Republicans and Democrats, although the gap between the two groups remains wide.
Opinions of the State Department also vary by political affiliation. Fifty-five percent of Republicans view the institution favorably, while 45% of Democrats view it unfavorably and 32% view it favorably.
Meanwhile, Democrats' views of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have become more negative. Currently, 46% of Democrats have an unfavorable view, compared with 37% who view it favorably.
Public service agencies continue to receive positive ratings
The National Park Service continues to enjoy broad support across both parties, although the percentage of Democrats who view it favorably fell from 79% in 2025 to 74% in 2026.
The National Weather Service also receives largely favorable reviews from both Republicans and Democrats, although its rating has declined slightly compared to the previous year.
The Postal Service also continues to enjoy majority support from both political groups, even though its approval ratings are lower than they were a few years ago.
As for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 54% of Democrats view it favorably, compared with 69% in 2025. Among Republicans, 41% view the agency favorably, while 47% view it unfavorably.
The Federal Reserve also shows partisan differences: 53% of Democrats view it favorably, compared with 46% of Republicans.
The results show that perceptions of federal agencies vary considerably depending on the institution and political affiliation, while agencies such as the National Park Service, the National Weather Service and the Postal Service maintain a positive reputation among both major political blocs.
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