WASHINGTON (AP) A recent poll reveals that a significant majority of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) disapprove of proposals to eliminate entire federal agencies and conduct mass layoffs of federal workers. The survey, conducted by AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, emphasizes that AAPI adults prefer government focus on pressing everyday costs rather than drastic cost-cutting measures.
The findings indicate that approximately 80% of AAPI adults believe the federal government should prioritize reducing health care costs. Similarly, around 70% express the same sentiment regarding food prices, and about 60% feel this way about housing costs. The survey aims to shed light on the perspectives of the AAPI community, which have often been underrepresented in other surveys due to small sample sizes and language barriers.
These poll results emerge amidst ongoing initiatives by President Donald Trump to implement austerity measures through the newly established Department of Government Efficiency, led by adviser Elon Musk. This effort includes significant layoffs within federal agencies and discussions about dismantling entities like the Department of Education.
Notably, the poll shows that about 60% of AAPI adults either "strongly" or "somewhat" oppose the elimination of entire federal agencies, with only 10% supporting such actions. This sentiment contrasts with a January AP-NORC poll, which indicated around 20% of the overall U.S. adult population favored similar measures. Furthermore, nearly half of the surveyed AAPI respondents oppose substantial layoffs of federal employees, while about 25% support them.
Individuals like Celeste Hong, a 56-year-old registered Democrat from Los Angeles, express frustration over the focus of cost-saving efforts. Hong contends that inefficiencies in government spending are more pronounced in sectors like the Pentagon, which she considers the most wasteful area of federal spending. She argues for greater attention on reducing essential costs such as health care and food, particularly for those living paycheck to paycheck.
The poll also demonstrates that around two-thirds of AAPI adults believe the nation invests too little in educational improvements, while approximately 60% think more funding is needed for health care, environmental protection, and addressing homelessness. Conversely, about half of respondents feel that current spending on military and defense is excessive.
Stacy Armstrong, a 61-year-old registered Republican from Bay City, Michigan, offers a differing viewpoint, believing that defense spending is insufficient. He advocates for increased funding in higher education and health care, stressing the need for the U.S. to prioritize its own citizens' needs over international aid, such as that given to Ukraine.
While Armstrong opposes the elimination of federal agencies, he suggests that instead of cuts, the Trump administration should consider streamlining operations for greater efficiency. His support for Trump reflects an acknowledgment that tough decisions are often necessary for effective governance.
Karthick Ramakrishnan, executive director of AAPI Data, notes that it is not surprising for conservative AAPI adults to have nuanced views on governmental spending, including opposition to dismantling federal agencies. He observes that AAPI voters tend to focus more on problem-solving rather than strict partisan alignment, which is evident in the recent electoral shift among AAPI voters toward the Republican Party.
The poll, conducted between February 4 and February 11, 2025, included a diverse sample of 1,170 adults who identify as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander. It was designed to be representative of the AAPI population and utilized both online and telephone interviews available in multiple languages, including English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Korean. The margin of sampling error for all respondents is plus or minus 4.7 percentage points.
