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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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The Trump Administration’s Plan To Politicize Federal Grants Would Harm American Health and Innovation Report
A researcher works in a kinesiology and nutrition lab.

The Trump Administration’s Plan To Politicize Federal Grants Would Harm American Health and Innovation

A new proposed rule from the Trump administration would subject all federally funded grants and research to politically motivated decision-making, as well as violate the laws governing agency rulemaking and the constitutional rights of Americans.

Jill Rosenthal, Sara Partridge, Devon Ombres, 3 More Haley Norris, Mariam Rashid, Ryan Mulholland

The Trump Administration May Be Planning To Unlawfully Order Federal Troops or Agents To Interfere in the Midterm Elections Video

The Trump Administration May Be Planning To Unlawfully Order Federal Troops or Agents To Interfere in the Midterm Elections

The Trump administration may be planning to send Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents or troops into polling places, a well-known tactic of authoritarian-minded leaders around the world. But people across the ideological spectrum should not give in to fear and should exercise their right to vote.

Michael Sozan, Hai-Lam Phan, Toni Pandolfo

Islamophobia Betrays American Values Article
Worshippers with folded arms and bowed heads stand shoulder to shoulder on prayer rugs laid over the ground.

Islamophobia Betrays American Values

Events between America’s founding and the 25th anniversary of 9/11—and actions still occurring today—illustrate both the promise of, and the threat to, religious freedom.

Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons

5 Quick Steps To Protect Your Right To Vote Article
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5 Quick Steps To Protect Your Right To Vote

As misinformation and confusion about election integrity continue to spread, citizens can work to strengthen American democracy by focusing on what matters most—that individuals are ready to vote.

Ben Hovland

Despite President Trump’s Claims of Foreign Election Interference, He Has No Legal Authority To Declare a National Emergency and Unilaterally Nationalize Elections Article

Despite President Trump’s Claims of Foreign Election Interference, He Has No Legal Authority To Declare a National Emergency and Unilaterally Nationalize Elections

The U.S. Constitution provides absolutely no basis for presidents to declare a national emergency to take control of elections and displace state rules.

Michael Sozan, Allison McManus, Dan Herman

The Trump Administration Is Weaponizing the U.S. Postal Service To Unconstitutionally Impair Voting by Mail Video

The Trump Administration Is Weaponizing the U.S. Postal Service To Unconstitutionally Impair Voting by Mail

Under a directive from President Donald Trump found unconstitutional by several federal judges, the U.S. Postal Service is preparing to implement a rule turning itself into an election enforcement agency.

Michael Sozan, Olivia Mowry, Toni Pandolfo

Over 150 Organizations Stand with Center for American Progress In the News

Over 150 Organizations Stand with Center for American Progress

A coalition of more than 150 civil society, advocacy, and nonpartisan groups have issued a joint statement defending First Amendment rights amid the administration’s legal attack on the Center for American Progress.

Nonprofits Together

Fact Sheet: The Trump Administration Is Interfering in the 2026 Midterm Elections To Entrench the Imperial Presidency Fact Sheet
A man votes in a primary election on August 11, 2026, in Madison, Wisconsin.

Fact Sheet: The Trump Administration Is Interfering in the 2026 Midterm Elections To Entrench the Imperial Presidency

Having seized unprecedented control over the federal government, the Trump administration is now effectuating a multipronged plan to subvert the 2026 midterm elections, cementing its power and policy agenda without accountability.

Michael Sozan

The Trump Administration Is Interfering in the 2026 Midterm Elections To Entrench the Imperial Presidency Report

The Trump Administration Is Interfering in the 2026 Midterm Elections To Entrench the Imperial Presidency

The Trump administration has seized unprecedented control over the federal government and is now executing a plan to subvert the 2026 midterm elections—determined to entrench its power and continue its policy agenda without accountability.

Michael Sozan, Ben Olinsky

Stopping Trump’s Crypto Corruption: The Risks of the Clarity Act to Democracy and National Security Past Event

Stopping Trump’s Crypto Corruption: The Risks of the Clarity Act to Democracy and National Security

Please join the Center for American Progress for a conversation with Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) on why stronger oversight and anticorruption rules for cryptocurrency markets are essential to protecting U.S. national security and our democracy.

Center for American Progress and online via Zoom

Government Insiders Must Be Prevented From Profiting on Prediction Markets at the Expense of National Security Report
Gannon Ken Van Dyke seen through window and behind tree

Government Insiders Must Be Prevented From Profiting on Prediction Markets at the Expense of National Security

Government employees’ use of insider information to profit on prediction markets raises both national security and ethical concerns, and there are several steps Congress and the president should take, including completely banning government employees’ use of prediction markets as a condition of employment.

Alexandra Thornton, Sadhana Mandala, Devon Ombres, 1 More Allison McManus

Mapping Disabled Americans’ Access to Democracy Interactive

Mapping Disabled Americans’ Access to Democracy

CAP’s Accessible Democracy Tracker identifies barriers to accessible voting across U.S. states as well as opportunities to strengthen election accessibility for disabled Americans.

Casey Doherty, Mia Ives-Rublee

Strengthening American Democracy Article
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Strengthening American Democracy

We can design a modernized democracy that finally achieves the goals of a government that is representative of and answerable to all people.

In Defense of Hawaii’s Corporate Redefinition In the News

In Defense of Hawaii’s Corporate Redefinition

In a Letter to the Editor in The Wall Street Journal, Tom Moore defended Hawaii's bipartisan law that limits corporate spending power in politics.

The Wall Street Journal

Tom Moore

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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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