Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich is putting renewed focus on a concern many voters already feel: confidence in Washington is wearing thin, and the constant partisan divide may be making it harder for Americans to believe government can work effectively.
In recent remarks about the mood inside Congress, Gingrich criticized what he sees as a growing culture of party loyalty taking priority over cooperation. He argued that some moments in the House show a deeper problem than routine political disagreement.
Gingrich pointed to reactions during a joint session, saying many lawmakers appeared unwilling to applaud even during moments typically meant to unite the country. “They couldn’t applaud anything,” he said, framing the behavior as a sign of how reflexive partisanship has become.
A Broader Warning About Political Dysfunction
Gingrich also referenced polling from his conservative research organization, which he said found that a large majority of Americans believe corruption and dysfunction are deeply rooted in the system.