Center for American Progress

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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).

Voter-Determined Districts

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).

A thunderstorm passes over the U.S. Capitol building, July 2019. (A thunderstorm passes over the U.S. Capitol building)
The Impact of the Filibuster on Federal Policymaking

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).

A a statue of blind justice is seen outside the Albert V. Bryan U.S. Courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, September 2016. (Getty/AFP/Brendan Smialowski)
It Is Past Time for Congress To Expand the Lower Courts

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).

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Cutting Deep Abroad and at Home: Slashing Foreign Assistance Causes Worldwide Harm Past Event

Cutting Deep Abroad and at Home: Slashing Foreign Assistance Causes Worldwide Harm

Please join the Center for American Progress for the third in a series of virtual events highlighting the impact that DOGE’s cuts are having on the lives of everyday Americans; this event will focus on how cuts to foreign assistance will not only affect those abroad who depend on aid, but also farmers and small businesses here at home who rely on foreign assistance grants.

Online via Zoom

Democratic backsliding in Europe holds lessons for America In the News

Democratic backsliding in Europe holds lessons for America

In an op-ed for Politico EU, Robert Benson discusses how America can more effectively push back against authoritarian creep by learning from the experiences of European countries.

Politico EU

Robert Benson

100 Days of the Trump Administration’s Foreign Policy: Global Chaos, American Weakness, and Human Suffering Report
President Donald Trump is seen sitting at a table with members of his Cabinet.

100 Days of the Trump Administration’s Foreign Policy: Global Chaos, American Weakness, and Human Suffering

In only 100 days, the Trump administration has wrought chaos around the world and weakened the United States’ place in it—leaving the American people and billions of others worldwide to pay the price.

Allison McManus, Ryan Mulholland, Andrew Miller, 3 More Dan Herman, Robert Benson, Courtney Federico

4 Protections Congress Must Include in Federal Privacy Law Article
Social media apps are displayed on a smartphone.

4 Protections Congress Must Include in Federal Privacy Law

In a submission to the House Energy and Commerce Committee privacy working group’s request for information (RFI), the Center for American Progress urges lawmakers to reject industry-backed efforts to weaken privacy rights and instead advance meaningful protections Americans have demanded for decades.

Nicole Alvarez

How Congress Can End Trump’s Trade War Article

How Congress Can End Trump’s Trade War

Congress should focus on actions that immediately end the harm the Trump administration is imposing on American workers, businesses, and consumers.

Doug Molof

How Democracies Defend Themselves Against Authoritarianism Report
A crowd of protestors is gathered holding signs.

How Democracies Defend Themselves Against Authoritarianism

Democracies facing authoritarian threats from within have found ways to push back by strengthening institutions, reinforcing democratic norms, and building popular resistance against encroaching autocracy. Understanding these strategies is vital to learning how to fight back.

Robert Benson

Research in Ruin: Slashing the NIH Will Stifle Development of Lifesaving Medical Treatments and Harm the Economy Past Event

Research in Ruin: Slashing the NIH Will Stifle Development of Lifesaving Medical Treatments and Harm the Economy

Please join the Center for American Progress for the second in a series of virtual events highlighting the impact that DOGE’s cuts are having on the lives of everyday Americans; this event will focus on how cuts to NIH will limit progress in preventing and curing diseases and damage the economy in the process.

Online only

Rule Of Law Or Rule By Law? SCOTUS Gets Its Chance To Halt Trump’s Rampage—Or Greenlight It In the News

Rule Of Law Or Rule By Law? SCOTUS Gets Its Chance To Halt Trump’s Rampage—Or Greenlight It

In an op-ed published by Talking Points Memo, Devon Ombres discusses the U.S. Supreme Court’s role in four key Trump administration-centered cases that touch on everything from deportations and birthright citizenship to funding cuts and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Talking Points Memo

Devon Ombres

The Positive Power of Three at the FEC: Project Ripcord In the News

The Positive Power of Three at the FEC: Project Ripcord

Tom Moore writes in Stetson Journal of Advocacy and the Law about the role of a plan at the U.S. Federal Election Commission known as "Project Ripcord" in enforcement of federal campaign-finance law.

Stetson Journal of Advocacy and the Law

Tom Moore

The SAVE Act: The Bill That Could Block Millions of Americans From Voting Past Event

The SAVE Act: The Bill That Could Block Millions of Americans From Voting

Please join the Center for American Progress for a virtual event to hear from, and ask questions of, CAP experts about their work on the SAVE Act, how the legislation would affect tens of millions of Americans, and what you can do to help prevent its passage.

Online only

How Is DOGE Abusing Its Power? Article
Elon Musk leaves a meeting with House Republicans in the basement of the U.S. Capitol building.

How Is DOGE Abusing Its Power?

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency operates with alarming secrecy; Americans deserve to know how it is using their tax dollars and personal data and whether it is violating the law.

Nicole Alvarez

The Risks of Trump’s Politicization of the Military Past Event

The Risks of Trump’s Politicization of the Military

Please join the Center for American Progress for a virtual discussion about the Trump administration's recent decision to fire high-ranking U.S. military members.

Online only

It’s Time for a Just and Lasting Peace in Israel and Palestine In the News

It’s Time for a Just and Lasting Peace in Israel and Palestine

In an op-ed published by Inkstick, Allison McManus argues why the United States should seize moments of opportunity ahead to propel the West Bank toward a just and lasting peace and outlines the role the country could play in doing so.

Inkstick

Allison McManus

Trump and Vance’s Disgraceful Oval Office Ambush of Zelenskyy Comes at America’s Expense and Only Benefits Putin Article
U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office at the White House, February 2025.

Trump and Vance’s Disgraceful Oval Office Ambush of Zelenskyy Comes at America’s Expense and Only Benefits Putin

Trump and Vance’s deliberate humiliation of Zelenskyy in Washington signaled to allies and adversaries alike that America’s leadership is in crisis, jeopardizing Ukraine’s fight for survival and emboldening Putin’s aggression.

Allison McManus, Robert Benson

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