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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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Uniformed Disservice: How Trump’s Agenda Harms Veterans and Service Members Past Event

Uniformed Disservice: How Trump’s Agenda Harms Veterans and Service Members

Please join the Center for American Progress for the latest installment in a series of virtual events highlighting the impact that DOGE’s cuts are having on the lives of everyday Americans: a discussion about the burdens the Trump administration’s failed policies are placing upon American veterans and service members.

Online via Zoom

Fact Sheet: Trump’s Rescission Request Would Slash Spending on Foreign Assistance Programs That Benefit American Interests Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet: Trump’s Rescission Request Would Slash Spending on Foreign Assistance Programs That Benefit American Interests

The Trump administration’s FY 2025 rescission package would eliminate more than $8 billion in investments critical to global health, stability, and democracy while the administration increases spending in areas that bring little benefit to the American people.

Laura Kilbury

4 Reasons the Senate’s AI Pause Should Be Opposed Article
A Capitol Police officer stands outside the U.S. Capitol.

4 Reasons the Senate’s AI Pause Should Be Opposed

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s AI pause would block states subject to it from enforcing laws that protect residents from AI-driven harms, including criminal offenses and health care decisions. Senators should vote to remove it from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act during reconciliation.

Nicole Alvarez, Adam Conner

The Trump Administration’s Reckless Strikes in Iran Raise More Questions Than Answers Article
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after announcing a ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

The Trump Administration’s Reckless Strikes in Iran Raise More Questions Than Answers

Amid a tenuous ceasefire between Israel and Iran, the ultimate consequences of President Trump’s military intervention in Iran remain unknown but are potentially deeply damaging to U.S. interests. Congress should exert its authority to prevent the president from drawing the United States further into conflict in the future.

Andrew Miller, Allison McManus

Crushing the Commonwealth: Virginians Share How the Trump Administration’s Policies Are Hurting Them, Their Livelihoods, and the Virginia Economy Past Event

Crushing the Commonwealth: Virginians Share How the Trump Administration’s Policies Are Hurting Them, Their Livelihoods, and the Virginia Economy

Please join the Center for American Progress for the next 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 the Trump administration's impacts on Virginia.

Online only

America Is on the Verge of Catastrophe in the Middle East In the News

America Is on the Verge of Catastrophe in the Middle East

In an op-ed published by Foreign Affairs, Andrew Miller argues that by joining Israel’s campaign against Iran, the United States has made a sustainable long-term solution less attainable.

Foreign Affairs

Andrew Miller

The Senate’s AI Ban Applies to Every State, Not Just BEAD Recipients Article

The Senate’s AI Ban Applies to Every State, Not Just BEAD Recipients

Senate Republicans’ latest tax and budget bill draft includes a standalone 10-year federal ban on most state and local AI regulations, blocking states from addressing key harms such as algorithmic discrimination, regardless of whether they seek or have received broadband funding.

Nicole Alvarez

Listening To Lead: A Conversation With Gov. Tim Walz Past Event

Listening To Lead: A Conversation With Gov. Tim Walz

Join us for a conversation with Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) as part of CAP’s “What’s Next: Conversations on the Path Forward” series.

Center for American Progress and Online via Zoom

Point: America’s Law-and-Order Problem Is Donald Trump In the News

Point: America’s Law-and-Order Problem Is Donald Trump

In an op-ed published by Inside Sources, Damian Murphy argues that President Donald Trump's deployment of federal forces against protestors mirrors the actions of authoritarian regimes around the world.

Inside Sources

Damian Murphy

The Senate Republican Budget Bill Adds Broadband Funding That Favors Musk’s Starlink and Bans State AI Laws Article

The Senate Republican Budget Bill Adds Broadband Funding That Favors Musk’s Starlink and Bans State AI Laws

An additional $500 million of broadband funding provision in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes a national freeze on AI regulation by states, weaponizing public infrastructure against state action and potentially delivering a payday to Elon Musk’s satellite internet company.

Megan Shahi

America’s Role in the World: The Value of Leadership and Alliance Past Event

America’s Role in the World: The Value of Leadership and Alliance

Join us for a conversation with Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) as part of CAP’s “What’s Next: Conversations on the Path Forward” series.

Center for American Progress and online via Zoom

Trump’s Unconstitutional Actions Threaten Democracy In the News

Trump’s Unconstitutional Actions Threaten Democracy

In an op-ed published by DC Journal, Michael Sozan argues that it’s up to the courts, Congress, and Americans to exercise their collective responsibility and ensure the president answers to the people.

DC Journal

Michael Sozan

Mayhem on Main Street: Trump’s Attacks on Small Business Break the Back of Local Economies Past Event

Mayhem on Main Street: Trump’s Attacks on Small Business Break the Back of Local Economies

Please join the Center for American Progress, in partnership with Small Business Majority, for the next 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 assistance programs, along with uncertainty and economic pressure imposed by President Trump’s tariffs, are harming the backbone of America’s economy: small businesses.

Online only

Reconciliation Provision Would Let Executive Branch Dismantle Nonprofits Under Pretext of Fighting Terrorism Article
Visitors stop by the North Lawn of the White House.

Reconciliation Provision Would Let Executive Branch Dismantle Nonprofits Under Pretext of Fighting Terrorism

The House’s tax portion of the reconciliation bill would give unprecedented power to the executive branch and allow it to unilaterally designate nonprofits as “terrorist supporting organizations,” possibly silencing them overnight.

Greta Bedekovics

Point: Deception and Destruction — Musk and DOGE’s Real Goal In the News

Point: Deception and Destruction — Musk and DOGE’s Real Goal

In an op-ed published by InsideSources, Ben Olinsky argues that DOGE’s sweeping cuts are deliberately destroying the parts of government Americans rely on for basic services and protections.

InsideSources

Ben Olinsky

Trump Should Not Give Israel a Pass on Gaza Blockade In the News

Trump Should Not Give Israel a Pass on Gaza Blockade

Andrew Miller and Philip Gordon make the case for why President Trump should be held to the same high standard as former President Biden on Gaza.

Foreign Policy

Andrew Miller, Philip Gordon

Public Companies Should Be Transparent About Not Complying With TikTok Ban Article
The White House

Public Companies Should Be Transparent About Not Complying With TikTok Ban

Public companies’ reliance on Trump’s questionable executive orders allowing them to not comply with the TikTok ban raises questions about their potential liability and whether they should disclose their noncompliance to investors.

Adam Conner

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 next 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

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