Trust in the government...maybe?

By: Rivy Mosegi, Opinion Editor

Sometimes when I discuss politics, policies or politicians with people, it always seems as though people try to get me to hate a certain politician alongside them – which, in my case, is never true. I’m often met with confused or even frustrated looks when I respond with something like, “I don’t necessarily hate them, but I do want to read into that policy,” or, “I’m going to look into that.” I even remember someone saying to me, “There’s no need to look into it – the guy’s a douchebag, the scum of the earth! Hitler!”

These kinds of interactions used to intrigue me because I wanted to understand why people reacted that way. Maybe it’s from reading headlines on social media, watching clipped videos without full context or being influenced by past events that have shaped public perception. I genuinely believe that we’re in a strange space in America today – so blinded by hate toward certain politicians that we view curiosity as suspicious. Is it really wrong to ask “why?” Or are we just following the majority? 

One reason I think this reaction occurs is because of the deep mistrust in government that has grown stronger over the years. The controversy over the Epstein files is one of the clearest examples of why many Americans – especially Gen Z – distrust the government. Despite repeated public calls for transparency, the Department of Justice and other federal agencies have yet to fully release records related to Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal network, his connections to high-profile figures and the circumstances surrounding his death. In 2025, members of Congress issued subpoenas demanding the unsealing of these documents, but the Trump administration has remained largely silent, offering little explanation or progress. For many, this lack of accountability and openness reinforces the belief that the government protects the powerful while keeping the public in the dark.

Another major source of public mistrust has been the handling of vaccines – especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent years, distrust surrounding vaccinations and the overall healthcare system in America has grown significantly. I’ve seen more and more board-certified doctors post viral videos expressing concern about the systems they work within, especially regarding vaccines given to children. While vaccines were developed rapidly to combat the virus’s spread, the changing guidance from agencies like the CDC and FDA, conflicting messages from political leaders and censorship controversies on social media led many Americans to question the government’s transparency and motives. Some felt that political narratives were prioritized over open dialogue about safety. Even years later, this skepticism lingers – especially among younger generations who value independent research and question centralized authority.

Overall, I think we’re all to blame. Yes, we hold certain people – like doctors and politicians – to higher standards because we trust them to act in the public’s best interest. But social media has amplified division. We’ve all tweeted something harsh, reposted content that reinforces a certain narrative or helped fuel the divide in some way.

But I don’t blame Americans for being skeptical of our government. With the level of polarization in the country today, division feels almost inevitable. For years, citizens have watched scandals unfold, promises be broken and powerful figures escape accountability. From hidden documents and partisan investigations to inconsistent health guidance and corruption within major institutions, people are tired of being told to “just trust the system.” Many Americans – especially young people – feel that transparency is rare, truth is politicized and ordinary voices are ignored. So when people question what the government says or does, it doesn’t always stem from ignorance or conspiracy – it’s often caused by disappointment and lived experience.

I believe this is why we are seeing more and more people develop podcasts in every sector of the world – doctors, lawyers, nurses, teachers and politicians are now speaking out on major podcast platforms to be more “transparent.” But I believe the damage is already done. Our generation is different. Anyone can say what they want about Gen Z, but one thing about our generation that I am optimistic about is our stance on not taking any bullcrap. We’re not settling for just what we read in newspapers, see on news outlets or hear from the government. Gen Z is going out into the world and finding out things for ourselves; we’re willing to be skeptical because we can’t afford not to be.