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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
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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

The SAVE Act May Be Stalled in Congress, But State Versions Are Being Advanced All Across the Country Report
Voters check in with poll workers before casting their ballots.

The SAVE Act May Be Stalled in Congress, But State Versions Are Being Advanced All Across the Country

Fourteen states now have SAVE Act-like laws on the books requiring Americans to provide proof of their citizenship, chiefly a passport or birth certificate, to register to vote or stay registered; more are following in their footsteps.

Gréta Bedekovics, Devon Ombres

Religious Liberty for All: Celebrating This Founding Freedom at America 250 Report
A group of faith leaders standing together. The person in front is holding a megaphone.

Religious Liberty for All: Celebrating This Founding Freedom at America 250

This report brings together diverse voices in an expression of solidarity against a backdrop of the Trump administration’s Religious Liberty Commission to share why religious freedom matters and to protect religious freedom for all.

American Humanist Association, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Interfaith Alliance, 1 More Center for American Progress

Paramount’s Anticompetitive Merger With Warner Bros. Is Fueled by Investments From Regimes With Deep Trump Ties Article
The yellow and blue WB logo on a beige water tower; an American flag is positioned beside but behind the tower.

Paramount’s Anticompetitive Merger With Warner Bros. Is Fueled by Investments From Regimes With Deep Trump Ties

Government regulators must block Paramount’s merger with Warner Bros. for several reasons, including that foreign autocracies with deep financial entanglements with President Donald Trump and anti-democratic values—including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar—could end up owning the combined corporation.

Michael Sozan, Andrew Miller

Voters Want Transformation, Not Restoration In the News

Voters Want Transformation, Not Restoration

In an op-ed for The Contrarian, Neera Tanden highlights the biggest takeaways from CAP's 2026 IDEAS Conference, arguing that voters want transformed policies, not a return to a broken status quo.

The Contrarian

Neera Tanden

2026 CAP IDEAS Conference Past Event

2026 CAP IDEAS Conference

The Center for American Progress’ signature event, now celebrating its 15th year, where CAP convenes the big thinkers and doers on the center-left for a day of not only identifying the problems facing Americans, but also sharing solutions to improve the lives of all Americans.

Online via Zoom

Orbán Is Gone, But Europe’s Divisions Remain Article
The Hungarian Parliament Building is seen following a resounding Tisza Party win on April 12, 2026.

Orbán Is Gone, But Europe’s Divisions Remain

Viktor Orbán’s political demise in Hungary is forcing the European Union to confront its internal divisions more directly than it has in years.

Luke Zahner

The SAVE America Act Explained: How the New ‘Show Your Papers’ Voting Bill Is Even More Extreme Than the SAVE Act Report
U.S. Capitol at night with various lights

The SAVE America Act Explained: How the New ‘Show Your Papers’ Voting Bill Is Even More Extreme Than the SAVE Act

At President Donald Trump’s urging, Congress is intent on passing an even more extreme version of the SAVE Act. But no matter what the far right calls these “show your papers” bills, its push to require Americans to show a passport or birth certificate to vote threatens to silence millions.

Gréta Bedekovics

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Related Priorities

Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice
Issue

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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