California’s Political Crisis: Rising Distrust and Fears for Democracy in a Divided State

California’s Political Summer: A Perfect Storm of Frustration and Distrust

California’s politics this summer? Yeah, it’s been rough. The Golden State, usually a trendsetter and symbol of progressive ideals, feels more like a pressure cooker about to blow. From federal troops rolling into Los Angeles to Governor Gavin Newsom seemingly distracted by a White House run, it’s no wonder Californians are feeling the heat—and the doubt.

What’s the Vibe in California?

A recent poll from UC Irvine says it all: twice as many Californians think the state is headed down the wrong path rather than the right one. That’s a pretty grim outlook for a place usually known for optimism and innovation.

Jon Gould, the dean at UC Irvine’s School of Social Ecology, nails why people are so uneasy. It’s not just California; it’s the nation as a whole. People feel divided, like everyone’s out to sabotage each other’s core beliefs. And add to that a tough economic reality for many. Gould puts it bluntly: “A significant chunk of people feel their economic situation is worse than it was one, two, or four years ago.” When folks are hurting financially and feeling politically divided, it’s no surprise trust starts to fray.

Trust in Leadership? Not So Much.

Governor Gavin Newsom, the state’s highest-profile politician, isn’t exactly winning hearts right now. According to a UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies survey, only 14% of voters say they trust Newsom a lot to act in the public’s best interest. Add in 28% who trust him “somewhat,” and you still have over half of the electorate giving him little to no trust. Ouch.

Is this why Newsom’s more interested in gearing up for a 2028 presidential campaign than focusing on California’s day-to-day chaos? That question’s floating around for sure.

And it’s not just Newsom—California’s Democratic-led Legislature is struggling with trust too. Only 44% of those surveyed had even some level of trust in Sacramento lawmakers. That’s shaky ground for a body that’s supposed to steer the state through crises.

Tech Giants: The New Distrusted Power Players

If politicians aren’t scoring well, tech companies aren’t faring any better. Californians are seriously skeptical about Silicon Valley’s role in politics. A mere 4% say these companies act in the public’s best interest, while nearly 60% don’t trust them at all. Business groups get similar distrust vibes. The tech industry’s growing political influence is starting to feel more like an overreach than leadership.

Federal Government? Nope, Not Trusted Either

Zoom out to the national stage, and the distrust continues. The nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California recently reported that Californians are souring on all three branches of the federal government. President Trump and the conservative-leaning Supreme Court only have approval from less than a third of residents. Congress? Even worse — only about 20% approve of their job performance.

Sure, partisanship colors these views—Democrats dominate California, so dissatisfaction with Republican control in Washington is expected. But the distrust cuts across party lines. About 80% of adults said they don’t fully trust the federal government to do what’s right, and almost the same number only trust it sometimes.

A Long Decline in Trust

This distrust isn’t a recent phenomenon. Mark Baldassare, research director at the Public Policy Institute, points out that waning faith in government has been around for decades. Back in 1958, roughly 75% of Americans trusted the federal government “almost always” or “most of the time.” Fast forward to 2024, and those numbers have cratered.

The escalation of the Vietnam War in the ’60s, the Watergate scandal in the ’70s, and various other political crises chipped away at that trust. The latest Pew Research Center data shows just 35% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents trust the government most of the time, and only 11% of Republicans say the same.

The Bigger Picture: Democracy Under Threat?

Here’s the kicker: people aren’t just worried about their leaders; they’re genuinely scared for American democracy itself. Nearly two-thirds of respondents in Berkeley’s poll said “American democracy is under attack,” and another 26% say it’s “being tested.” Only 10% believe democracy is safe and sound.

This kind of widespread anxiety is new territory. Eric Schickler, co-director of Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies, says pollsters wouldn’t even ask this question a decade or two ago because the idea of democracy being in danger seemed unthinkable.

“It’s stunning to see 64% say democracy is under attack,” Schickler says. “Even during major crises like Hurricane Katrina, the Iraq War, or political scandals, you never saw numbers this high.”

What’s Driving This Fear?

The Trump era, with its relentless attacks on the 2020 election’s legitimacy and the rule of law, has fueled a new level of political distrust and fear. The relentless political warfare—where the opposing party is seen as an enemy rather than a competitor—has pushed the country into dangerous territory.

Schickler warns that this is no passing cloud. “I’m not optimistic in the short to medium term,” he says. “These challenges have been building for a while, accelerating recently. We’re headed toward a political landscape with no limits on what a party in power will do, and the other party is viewed as the enemy. That’s a toxic, bad dynamic for democracy.”

So, What’s Next for California and Beyond?

California’s current political summer might feel like a bummer, but it’s really part of a broader national crisis in trust, leadership, and faith in democracy. The question is whether the Golden State—and the country as a whole—can find common ground before the division becomes unmanageable.

Key Takeaways:

• Californians feel divided and economically strained, leading to widespread distrust.

• Governor Newsom’s approval ratings are low amid speculation about his presidential ambitions.

• Tech companies and business groups face steep skepticism from the public.

• Federal government trust is at historic lows across parties.

• Majority fear democracy itself is under threat—an unprecedented level of concern.

• Experts warn the political climate is worsening, with no easy fixes in sight.