You’d think a massive government agency with a $60 billion budget would have a pretty stable reputation. Nope. Not even close. If you look at the latest dhs public approval gallup poll, the data feels more like a heart monitor for a patient in the middle of a sprint. It’s jumping all over the place.
Honestly, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is basically the most polarizing part of the federal government right now. One half of the country sees them as heroes holding the line; the other half sees them as a "militarized" force overstepping its bounds. And Gallup’s numbers prove it’s getting more extreme every single month.
The Wild Swing in DHS Public Approval Gallup Poll Numbers
Let’s look at the actual math. Back in 2024, the DHS was sitting at a pretty miserable 32% "excellent" or "good" rating. That was a record low. People were frustrated. Then 2025 hit, and the numbers rebounded to 42%. On the surface, you’d think, "Oh, they're doing better!"
But that’s a total lie.
The only reason the average went up is because of a massive, 59-point surge among Republicans. In late 2025, Gallup found that 73% of Republicans rated the DHS as doing a good job. At the same time, Democratic approval fell off a cliff, bottoming out at just 14%. We aren't talking about a small disagreement here. We’re talking about a 59-point partisan canyon. It’s the largest gap Gallup has ever recorded for the agency.
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What’s driving the 2025-2026 shift?
Why the sudden GOP love for a massive bureaucracy? It's the mission shift. Under Secretary Kristi Noem, the DHS has leaned hard into "Operation Metro Surge" and mass deportations. For people who want "law and order," these numbers look like success. For everyone else? It looks like a crisis.
Operation Metro Surge: Why Minnesota is Suing
If you want to understand why the dhs public approval gallup poll is so messy, you have to look at what's happening on the ground right now in early 2026. Just this week, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a federal lawsuit.
Minneapolis and Saint Paul are effectively trying to kick the DHS out.
They’re calling "Operation Metro Surge" unconstitutional. They claim masked agents are "storming" the Twin Cities and conducting raids that feel more like military operations than immigration enforcement. When you have local police and the federal government literally fighting in court, public approval is never going to be "normal."
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The FEMA Paradox
Here’s a weird detail most people miss. FEMA—the agency that helps after hurricanes and fires—actually lives inside the DHS.
Usually, FEMA is the "good guy" of the department. But even their numbers are tanking. In late 2025, FEMA's positive rating dropped 20 points to a measly 26%. Why? Because the administration has been vocal about wanting states to pay for their own disasters. It turns out, when you tell people they’re on their own after a flood, they don't give you a high "job approval" score.
DHS Compared to Other Agencies
DHS isn't the only one struggling, but it’s definitely the loudest struggle. Gallup tracks 17 different agencies, and the hierarchy is fascinatingly weird.
- The Postal Service: Still the king. Even with all the mail delays, about 56% of people still like them.
- NASA: People generally love space. They consistently rank in the top tier.
- The IRS: Always at the bottom. No surprise there. Nobody likes the taxman.
- The Secret Service: They’ve taken a massive hit recently, sitting around 49% approval after several high-profile security scares.
DHS is currently stuck in the middle of this pack, but unlike the others, its rating is built on a foundation of pure partisanship. If you are a Republican, you probably think the DHS is the most effective agency in D.C. If you are a Democrat, you probably rank them right next to the IRS.
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Why These Polls Actually Matter
You might think, "Who cares what a random poll says?" But in Washington, these numbers are ammunition.
When the dhs public approval gallup poll shows a "rebound" to 42%, the administration uses that as a mandate. They see it as proof that the public wants more aggressive enforcement. Meanwhile, the 17% approval rating for Congress suggests that the legislative branch has almost no power to stop them because the public doesn't trust them either.
The "Hidden" 2026 Data
As we move into 2026, the DHS is pivoting toward "Operation Salvo," a major push against crime in New York City. Early data suggests this might actually bump their numbers with Independents who are tired of retail theft and street crime. But again, it’s a gamble. If the tactics feel too heavy-handed, that 42% average will start sinking toward the 20s again.
What You Should Do Next
Polls are just snapshots, but they dictate policy. If you're trying to make sense of the headlines, don't just look at the "overall" number. It’s a fake average.
- Check the Partisan Split: Always look for the gap between GOP and Dem voters. In the DHS's case, the "average" 42% represents almost nobody—it’s just the midpoint between two groups that don't agree on anything.
- Watch the Legal Challenges: The Minnesota lawsuit (and others likely to follow in California and New York) will do more to change DHS policy than any poll ever could.
- Follow the Funding: Approval usually follows the money. Watch if Congress tries to claw back DHS funding during the next budget cycle; they'll use low "Only Fair/Poor" ratings as their primary excuse.
The DHS is in a state of constant transformation. Whether it’s acting as a border guard, a disaster responder, or a metro police force, its identity—and its public approval—is currently up for grabs.