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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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The Trump Administration Is Using Americans’ Sensitive Data To Build a Digital Watchtower Report
The U.S. Capitol building is seen at sunset.

The Trump Administration Is Using Americans’ Sensitive Data To Build a Digital Watchtower

The Trump administration’s abusive efforts to repurpose millions of federal records and funnel them into a centralized government database represent a systemic shift toward a consolidation of informational power while obscuring public accountability; Congress must address this with a modern legal framework including clear rights and binding duties.

Nicole Alvarez

The Authoritarian Playbook in Action: What Global Cases Tell Us About Trump’s 2025 Military Deployments Article
President Donald Trump, alongside Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi, speaks during a news conference.

The Authoritarian Playbook in Action: What Global Cases Tell Us About Trump’s 2025 Military Deployments

The cases of Canada, South Korea, and Turkey illustrate a dangerous escalatory pattern: When elected leaders rely on the military to resolve domestic challenges, they often accelerate democratic backsliding.

Dan Herman, Robert Benson, Vishal Gogusetti

How Peaceful Protest by Just 3.5 Percent of Americans Could Force Major Policy Changes From the Trump Administration Article
People take part in a “No Kings” protest in San Francisco.

How Peaceful Protest by Just 3.5 Percent of Americans Could Force Major Policy Changes From the Trump Administration

History shows that when just 3.5 percent of a population—about 12 million Americans—engage in peaceful protest, their demands become nearly impossible to ignore. This is particularly relevant today, as Americans continue to defend due process and health care rights amid a rise in authoritarian policies.

Michael Sozan

10th Annual DACA Survey: 2024 Findings Reveal What’s at Stake for Recipients and the United States Report
Person holding up sign that reads Home Is Here

10th Annual DACA Survey: 2024 Findings Reveal What’s at Stake for Recipients and the United States

The 10th annual DACA survey illustrates the positive contributions that DACA recipients have made to America and reveals the significant, widespread disruptions that would result from ending DACA, highlighting more than ever the need for congressional action to provide pathways to citizenship for recipients.

Tom K. Wong, Ignacia Rodriguez Kmec, Diana Pliego, 4 More Karen Fierro Ruiz, Silva Mathema, Ben Greenho, Rosa Barrientos-Ferrer

Save the PMF Program or Risk Losing a Generation of Public Servants In the News

Save the PMF Program or Risk Losing a Generation of Public Servants

In an op-ed published by Just Security, Andrew Miller and Kelly L. Razzouk discuss the importance of Presidential Management Fellows (PMF), a professional development program that the Trump administration is seeking to eliminate.

Just Security

Andrew Miller, Kelly L. Razzouk

America’s Window To Stop Russia Is Closing Article
Smoke blankets Kyiv after an overnight drone strike by Russia.

America’s Window To Stop Russia Is Closing

Trump’s hasty ultimatum and symbolic tariffs will not deter Putin; only rapid weapons deliveries and enforceable energy sanctions can shift the battlefield and force Moscow to meaningfully negotiate, creating the conditions for a Ukraine ceasefire.

Robert Benson

How Democrats Can Win on Immigration In the News

How Democrats Can Win on Immigration

CAP President and CEO Neera Tanden outlines a winning strategy for immigration reform in The Wall Street Journal.

The Wall Street Journal

Neera Tanden

Confronting Antisemitism in America Past Event
An exterior picture of Sixth and I Synagogue in Washington, D.C.

Confronting Antisemitism in America

Join leaders from the Jewish community as we explore the rise of antisemitism in America.

Online via Zoom

Attacks on the U.S. Innovation Ecosystem Are an Attack on a Wellspring of American Prosperity Article
With flags flapping in the breeze, Artemis I sits at pad 39-B at Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

Attacks on the U.S. Innovation Ecosystem Are an Attack on a Wellspring of American Prosperity

The Trump administration’s cuts to federally funded R&D; its war on higher education; and its aggression toward immigrants are dismantling America’s science and technology advantage—putting the country’s future prosperity at risk.

Neera Tanden, Ryan Mulholland, Adam Conner

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

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