AAPI Community Opposes Federal Agency Cuts and Mass Layoffs, Poll Finds
A recent poll conducted by AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research reveals that the majority of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) disagree with the strategy of eliminating entire federal agencies or implementing mass layoffs of federal workers. The survey, which focuses on the often-underrepresented views of the AAPI community, shows that these individuals prioritize addressing everyday costs, such as healthcare, food, and housing, over drastic cost-cutting measures. Approximately 8 in 10 AAPI adults believe the federal government should make healthcare costs a high priority, while about 7 in 10 feel the same about food costs, and 6 in 10 express concern about housing affordability.
The poll comes amid President Donald Trump’s cost-cutting initiatives, led by the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has included widespread layoffs and discussions about dismantling agencies like the Department of Education. However, AAPI adults are largely opposed to such measures, with about 6 in 10 expressing strong or moderate opposition to eliminating federal agencies. Only about 1 in 10 support such actions, compared to roughly 2 in 10 U.S. adults overall who expressed similar sentiments in a previous poll. Nearly half of AAPI adults also oppose mass layoffs, while about a quarter support them.
AAPI Adults Focus on Everyday Costs and Government Spending
The AAPI community is particularly concerned about the federal government’s role in addressing rising costs for essential needs. Celeste Hong, a 56-year-old registered Democrat from Los Angeles, exemplifies this sentiment. Hong expressed frustration over the administration’s focus on cost-cutting measures, arguing that the government should prioritize lowering healthcare, child care, and food costs instead. She also criticized Trump’s tariff policies, which she believes could exacerbate financial burdens on families living paycheck to paycheck. “I can afford to absorb an extra cost,” Hong said, “but what about the family of four who can’t?”
These concerns are reflected in the broader poll results. About two-thirds of AAPI adults believe the federal government is spending too little on education, health, environmental protection, and homelessness. For instance, 6 in 10 think more should be done to improve the nation’s health system and address homelessness. However, there is one area where AAPI adults are more likely to say the government is over-spending: defense. About half of AAPI adults believe too much is being spent on the military and defense, compared to the general U.S. population.
Diverse Opinions on Defense Spending and Federal Priorities
Despite shared concerns about everyday costs, AAPI adults hold diverse views on defense spending and federal priorities. Stacy Armstrong, a 61-year-old registered Republican from Bay City, Michigan, who is half Japanese, is an outlier in this regard. Unlike most AAPI adults, Armstrong believes the government is not spending enough on defense. He thinks more resources should also be allocated to higher education and healthcare, while reducing or cutting aid to countries like Ukraine. “We need to take care of our own,” Armstrong said. However, he disagrees with the idea of eliminating entire federal agencies, suggesting that streamlining or consolidating operations would be a better approach.
Armstrong’s perspective highlights the nuanced views within the AAPI community, where political leanings and individual experiences can shape opinions on government spending. While Armstrong supports Trump and believes he will “do some good things,” he acknowledges that every administration must make tough decisions to achieve results.
Nuanced Views on Government Spending and Partisanship
Karthick Ramakrishnan, executive director of AAPI Data and a researcher at the University of California, Berkeley, noted that it is not surprising to see conservative AAPI adults holding nuanced views on government spending. While many AAPI adults lean Democratic overall, the community is not monolithic, and their focus on practical solutions often transcends partisanship. “They tend to be focused on solutions and less so on partisanship,” Ramakrishnan said.
The poll also reflects a slight shift in political alignment within the AAPI community. AAPI voters, who historically lean Democratic, moved slightly to the right in the November election. Ramakrishnan attributed this shift to a perception among some voters that the Republican Party might be more effective in addressing economic issues. However, the AAPI community remains more Democratic-leaning than the U.S. electorate as a whole.
The Broader Implications of the Poll
The survey of 1,170 AAPI adults was conducted between February 4 and 11, 2025, using NORC’s probability-based Amplify AAPI Panel, which is designed to represent the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander population. Interviews were conducted in English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Korean, ensuring linguistic representation and inclusivity. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 4.7 percentage points.
The results underscore the importance of listening to the voices of underrepresented communities like AAPI adults, whose opinions are often overlooked in broader surveys due to small sample sizes. By prioritizing issues like healthcare affordability, education, and environmental protection, the AAPI community reflects a desire for practical, solutions-oriented governance. At the same time, the diversity of opinions within the community highlights the complexity of addressing the nation’s challenges, where no single approach is likely to satisfy all stakeholders.
In conclusion, the poll reveals a clear demand for a federal government that focuses on addressing everyday costs and improving essential services, while avoiding drastic measures like agency cuts and mass layoffs. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the AAPI community’s emphasis on practical solutions and nuanced perspectives offers valuable insights for policymakers seeking to represent the diverse needs of the American people.
