Restoring Social Trust in Democracy

Democracy is under attack at home and abroad. We must act to ensure it is accessible to all, accountable, and can serve as a force of good.

A voting rights activist dresses as "Ms. Liberty," August 2021. (Getty/Alex Wong)

What We're Working On

What We're Doing

Increasing representation and access to our democracy

All Americans must have trust in elections and election results. All Americans also must have unimpeded access to the ballot box. That is why national voting standards are so important, along with laws that would protect against interference with valid election results.

Combating the spread of harmful dis- and misinformation

Disinformation, whether about COVID-19 or elections, undermines Americans’ safety and threatens our democracy. We seek to define the government’s role in combating it, give recommendations to online platforms to stem its spread, and support robust local media that can counter its worst effects.

Building a new framework to regulate online services

Americans’ lives are increasingly reliant on online services and affected by their economic, consumer, and civic harms. A robust regulatory framework, paired with new privacy protections and reinvigorated antitrust action, is needed to address the threats these services pose.

Countering violent political extremism

Countering insurgent threats is critical to maintaining our democracy. As part of this work, we have crafted a national blueprint with the McCain Institute to end white supremacist violence. Our plan draws on expertise across CAP and from more than 150 conversations with a diverse range of stakeholders.

By the numbers

59

Gerrymandering shifted an average of 59 seats in the U.S. House from 2012 to 2016.

Source: CAP, “Voter-Determined Districts” (2019).

1 in 10

42 senators, representing only about 1/10 of the U.S. population, can filibuster popular bills.

Source: CAP, “The Impact of the Filibuster on Federal Policymaking” (2019).

30%

The U.S. population has grown by about 30% since the federal bench’s last meaningful expansion.

Source: CAP, “It Is Past Time for Congress To Expand the Lower Courts” (2021).

81%

81% of voters believe tech companies have too much power and influence over politics and government.

Source: CAP Action, “Voters Support Enacting Stronger Consumer Protections Online” (2021).

Featured Experts

More Experts

Steven
Kosiak

Senior Fellow

Damian
Murphy

Senior Vice President, National Security and International Policy

H.A.
Hellyer

Senior Fellow, Geopolitics and Security Studies

Andrew
Miller

Senior Fellow, National Security and International Policy

Dave
Rank

Senior Fellow

Fan
Dai

Senior Fellow

Dan
Herman

Senior Director, National Security, Accountability, and Reform

Devon
Ombres

Senior Director, Courts and Legal Policy

Tom
Moore

Senior Fellow, Democracy and Government

Allison
McManus

Managing Director, National Security and International Policy

Robert
Benson

Associate Director, National Security and International Policy

Megan
Shahi

Director, Technology Policy

Johan
Hassel

Senior Fellow

Gréta
Bedekovics

Director of Democracy

Rudy
deLeon

Senior Fellow

Michael
Sozan

Senior Fellow, Democracy and Government

Guthrie
Graves-Fitzsimmons

Senior Fellow, Religion and Faith

Glen S.
Fukushima

Senior Fellow

Frank
Kendall

Senior Fellow

Elisa
Massimino

Senior Fellow

Dan
Restrepo

Senior Fellow

Ben
Olinsky

Senior Vice President, Structural Reform and Governance; Senior Fellow

Alan
Makovsky

Senior Fellow

Adam
Conner

Vice President, Technology Policy

Recent work

The Human and Environmental Costs of the War in Iran

People overlook the city of Tehran on April 14, 2026.

The Human and Environmental Costs of the War in Iran

Apr 20, 2026

Kalina Gibson, Dawn Le, Ariana Sharghi

An EU-China bridge is designed to crumble

Apr 20, 2026 Euractiv

Robert Benson

The Iran War Is a Win for China

Apr 17, 2026 Foreign Affairs

Andrew Miller, Michael Clark

Abortion is a Religious Freedom: Opinion

Apr 16, 2026 Rewire News Group

Sally Steenland

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‘Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid’: A Reel Progress Screening Upcoming EventApril 15, 2026

‘Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid’: A Reel Progress Screening

A Reel Progress screening and exclusive conversation with political strategist James Carville.

Center for American Progress 1333 H Street NW Washington, DC 20005
Apr 22, 2026

Climate Action, Close to Home Upcoming EventMarch 19, 2026

Climate Action, Close to Home

Please join the Center for American Progress for an event on local climate action during D.C. Climate Week.

Center for American Progress
Apr 21, 2026

The U.S.-Israeli War: Destabilizing Lebanon and the Broader Region Upcoming EventApril 1, 2026

The U.S.-Israeli War: Destabilizing Lebanon and the Broader Region

Please join the Center for American Progress for a virtual conversation with expert panelists based in the region who will explore the regional political, security, and humanitarian dynamics of the U.S.-Israeli war, with a particular focus on Lebanon.

Online via Zoom
Apr 8, 2026

The Human and Environmental Costs of the War in Iran ReportApril 20, 2026

The Human and Environmental Costs of the War in Iran

Civilians have suffered devastating health and environmental costs as a result of the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran, from mass displacement and polluted air and water to long-term health risks for future generations.

Apr 20, 2026

Kalina Gibson, Dawn Le, Ariana Sharghi

An EU-China bridge is designed to crumble In the NewsApril 20, 2026

An EU-China bridge is designed to crumble

In an op-ed published by Euractiv, Robert Benson explains why Europe should not let its prosperity be contingent on Beijing’s tolerance.

Apr 20, 2026 Euractiv

Robert Benson

The Iran War Is a Win for China In the NewsApril 17, 2026

The Iran War Is a Win for China

Andrew Miller and Michael Clark outline why the Trump administration's war in Iran benefits China.

Apr 17, 2026 Foreign Affairs

Andrew Miller, Michael Clark

Abortion is a Religious Freedom: Opinion In the NewsApril 16, 2026

Abortion is a Religious Freedom: Opinion

In an op-ed for Rewire News Group, Sally Steenland argues that abortion bans violate the constitutional right to religious freedom.

Apr 16, 2026 Rewire News Group

Sally Steenland

Americans are still paying for Trump’s war in Iran—ceasefire or not NewsletterApril 15, 2026

Americans are still paying for Trump’s war in Iran—ceasefire or not

And Trump’s lie about your tax refund

Apr 15, 2026

Federal and State Policy Outlook for Community Colleges Past EventApril 15, 2026

Federal and State Policy Outlook for Community Colleges

Join the CAP and the Community Colleges Coalition to explore how community colleges are adapting to new federal and state policies.

Online via Zoom
Apr 15, 2026

Exporting MAGA Ideology: Why Orbán’s Loss Doesn’t End the Threat Posed by the Extreme Right ArticleApril 14, 2026

People stand silhouetted against a backdrop of the U.S. and Hungarian flags.

Exporting MAGA Ideology: Why Orbán’s Loss Doesn’t End the Threat Posed by the Extreme Right

Viktor Orbán’s defeat in Hungary dealt a real blow to MAGA’s international project, but it will not stop the Trump administration from using American power to promote far-right allies abroad.

Apr 14, 2026

Damian Murphy, Robert Benson

Orbán’s Defeat in the Hungarian Election Signals a Blow to the Global Authoritarian Movement ArticleApril 14, 2026

Supporters celebrate during election night on the banks on the river.

Orbán’s Defeat in the Hungarian Election Signals a Blow to the Global Authoritarian Movement

Viktor Orbán’s defeat in Hungary signals a repudiation of corrupt governance and a blow for the global authoritarian movement—including Trump.

Apr 14, 2026

Robert Benson, Gréta Bedekovics

What America Has Lost in the War With Iran ArticleApril 8, 2026

What America Has Lost in the War With Iran

Iran appears to have emerged as the winner in Donald Trump’s war of choice.

Apr 8, 2026

Damian Murphy, Allison McManus, Andrew Miller

10 Reasons the Ten Commandments Should Not Be Posted in Public School Classrooms ArticleApril 7, 2026

The sun appears to divide a facade while rising over the U.S. Supreme Court building.

10 Reasons the Ten Commandments Should Not Be Posted in Public School Classrooms

Some state legislatures continue to advance bills despite the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that such displays are unconstitutional. Religious instruction is best left to families and houses of worship.

Apr 7, 2026

Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons

The Dangers of Hegseth’s “Warfighter” Ethos In the NewsApril 7, 2026

The Dangers of Hegseth’s “Warfighter” Ethos

In an op-ed for Just Security, Allison McManus outlines the dangers of Pete Hegseth's approach to foreign policy, arguing its "maximum lethality" ethos fails to leverage the real strengths of the U.S. armed forces.

Apr 7, 2026 Just Security

Allison McManus

5 Things You Should Know About AI Right Now In the NewsApril 6, 2026

5 Things You Should Know About AI Right Now

In an op-ed for The Contrarian, Adam Conner outlines five things to know about the state of artificial intelligence today.

Apr 6, 2026 The Contrarian

Adam Conner