Federal Government

Trust in scientists and medical scientists has fallen below pre-pandemic levels, with 29% of U.S. adults saying they have a great deal of confidence in medical scientists to act in the best interests of the public. This is down from 40% in November 2020 and 35% in January 2019, before COVID-19 emerged. Other prominent groups – including the military, police officers and public school principals – have also seen their ratings decline.

Americans are increasingly critical of the response to COVID-19 from elected officeholders and public health officials. Positive ratings of public health officials, such as those at the CDC, have fallen 10 points since August. And 60% of U.S. adults say they’ve felt confused as a result of changes to recommendations on how to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Many experts say public online spaces will significantly improve by 2035 if reformers, big technology firms, governments and activists tackle the problems created by misinformation, disinformation and toxic discourse. Others expect continuing troubles as digital tools and forums are used to exploit people’s frailties, stoke their rage and drive them apart.

The U.S. is seen positively in advanced economies for its technology, entertainment, military and universities, but negatively for its health care system, discrimination and the state of its democracy.

While Americans see some aspects of U.S. power more positively than people elsewhere, they offer more negative views in other areas.

Veterans and non-veterans in the United States largely align when it comes to the decision to pull all troops out of Afghanistan.

The share of adults who are “basically content” with the federal government has risen to the highest point since 2004, driven by Democrats.

Here are key facts about those who have served in the U.S. military and how the veteran population is changing.

The number of federal prisoners sentenced to more than a year behind bars decreased by 5% between 2017 and the end of 2019.

Kamala Harris’ election represented an advance in the progress Black Americans have made in recent decades in political leadership.