Center for American Progress

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Democracy

A threat to democracy anywhere is a threat to democracy everywhere. In the United States, people continue to have low levels of trust in governmental institutions, believe that the system is too prone to corruption, and feel that their democracy does not fully represent their priorities. Moreover, the past several years have seen repeated attacks on two foundational democratic norms: ensuring voters choose their elected leaders without partisan interference in election administration and broad condemnation of political violence and extremism. The violent January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol in 2021 and threats to judges and election officials have illustrated the harm caused by the erosion of widely accepted norms. We have also seen consistent and sustained attacks on democracies globally—most egregiously, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—which threaten cooperation on climate action, migration, food security, and shared prosperity.

For these and other reasons, the Center for American Progress is laser focused on restoring social trust in democracy in the United States and around the world, using existing and new methods. Our coordinated, comprehensive, and far-reaching policy strategy is developed with and advanced through the power of coalitions, narrative change, public education, and advocacy. Domestically, CAP is focused on advancing pro-democracy policies that will make U.S. democracy more representative of all Americans, reducing dangerous political extremism and violence, reforming outmoded government structures, and holding leaders accountable for breaking laws and norms. CAP is also committed to advancing a progressive and values-driven vision for a new era of U.S. engagement internationally that which reinforces the country’s domestic priorities. National security goes beyond mere military power; it includes the need for a greater global response to complex crises and effective ways to strengthen America’s economic and political competitiveness in the world.

The U.S. Capitol building is seen at dusk with a clear blue sky in the background.
The U.S. Capitol building is seen in Washington, D.C., on November 13, 2023. (Getty/Mandel NGAN/AFP)
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Reining in DHS and Restoring Accountability Past Event

Reining in DHS and Restoring Accountability

Join a virtual discussion with the authors of five commonsense reforms to rein in DHS.

Marco Rubio’s Deal: Trading Venezuelan Democracy for Oil Article
Marco Rubio facing cameras across table

Marco Rubio’s Deal: Trading Venezuelan Democracy for Oil

Despite claiming to be a champion of freedom in the Western Hemisphere, Secretary of State Rubio’s Venezuela strategy has traded a democratic transition for oil access for the United States, sidelining the opposition and preserving the authoritarian regime.

Frances Colón

The TikTok Deal Leaves Many Questions Unanswered Article

The TikTok Deal Leaves Many Questions Unanswered

The TikTok deal encapsulates every abusive practice of the Trump administration—secrecy, unprecedented claims of executive power, and noncompliance with the law.

Adam Conner

Illiberal International: The Transatlantic Right’s Challenge to Democracy In the News

Illiberal International: The Transatlantic Right’s Challenge to Democracy

In a chapter published in the European Center for Populism Studies’ report “Populism and the Future of Transatlantic Relations: Challenges and Policy Options,” Robert Benson investigates the transatlantic dimensions of far-right political mobilization, tracing the networks linking populist and authoritarian actors across Europe and the United States.

European Center for Populism Studies

Robert Benson

This is how we solve America’s housing crisis Newsletter

This is how we solve America’s housing crisis

Join Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and others to learn what an ambitious housing agenda should look like

The Trump Administration’s Dangerous Embrace of Cancel Culture Article
A view of the White House on November 25, 2025, Washington, D.C.

The Trump Administration’s Dangerous Embrace of Cancel Culture

The Trump administration and the far right are engaging in dangerous, un-American tactics to suppress speech they dislike, cementing their control over institutions and the public by undermining First Amendment rights.

Alice Lillydahl

Trump Is Putting Military Leaders in a No-Win Situation In the News

Trump Is Putting Military Leaders in a No-Win Situation

In an op-ed published by The New York Times, Frank Kendall explains how the current legal chain of command for the military is made up of the yes-men who will not push back on anything President Donald Trump or Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth commands them to do.

The New York Times

Frank Kendall

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Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice
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Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice

We pursue climate action that meets the crisis’s urgency, creates good-quality jobs, benefits disadvantaged communities, and restores U.S. credibility on the global stage.

Restoring Social Trust in Democracy
Issue

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.

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