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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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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

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

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

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

Counterpoint: The Carnage Has Begun In the News

Counterpoint: The Carnage Has Begun

In an op-ed published by InsideSources, Ben Olinsky looks ahead to Trump's upcoming congressional address and argues that the change Trump promised is not the sort he’s delivering.

InsideSources

Ben Olinsky

What To Read Before Donald Trump’s 2025 Address to Congress Article
An illuminated U.S. Capitol dome with a gray sky in the background.

What To Read Before Donald Trump’s 2025 Address to Congress

The Trump administration’s implementation of the harmful Project 2025 agenda, the unconstitutional dismantling of critical federal agencies, and a forthcoming budget reconciliation battle will serve as key messaging pillars in the president’s address to Congress on March 4.

Caroline Alt, Ben Verdi

The right of Coloradans to vote should be protected In the News

The right of Coloradans to vote should be protected

In an op-ed published by Colorado Newsline, Rebecca Mears urges Colorado legislators to pass the pending state voting rights act in order to protect equitable voting access for all Coloradans and safeguard them from voting practices that lead to deeper racial disparities.

Colorado Newsline

Rebecca Mears

The Supreme Court’s Final Test Approaches In the News

The Supreme Court’s Final Test Approaches

In an op-ed published by Talking Points Memo, Devon Ombres unpacks President Donald Trump’s thirst for unchecked power and how the U.S. Supreme Court may be gearing up to green-light it.

Talking Points Memo

Devon Ombres

Syria’s Transition and the Shadow of the Arab Uprisings Report
The sun is seen setting over the city of Damascus.

Syria’s Transition and the Shadow of the Arab Uprisings

While the Syrian people should ultimately determine their own future, the United States must learn from its mistakes during the Arab uprisings to best facilitate a democratic transition.

Andrew Miller

Highlights From ‘Winning the Fight for Voting Rights: State Voting Rights Acts’ Video

Highlights From ‘Winning the Fight for Voting Rights: State Voting Rights Acts’

The freedom to vote is under attack across the country, especially for Black voters and other voters of color. States can join the growing movement to protect the freedom to vote and remove barriers to the ballot box by enacting their own voting rights acts.

Rebecca Mears, Matthew Gossage, Olivia Mowry

Winning the Fight for Voting Rights: State Voting Rights Acts Past Event

Winning the Fight for Voting Rights: State Voting Rights Acts

Please join the Legal Defense Fund and the Center for American Progress for this special virtual event to watch the first video in the “State Voting Rights Acts: Explained" video series and a discussion about state voting rights acts.

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Related Priorities

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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