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Government Reform

Americans’ trust in government—and their faith in democracy overall—remain at very low levels. In part, this lack of confidence results from the unavoidable fact that many government institutions are unable to effectively respond to people’s needs and priorities. For example, Congress often deadlocks when considering popular policies; the Electoral College sometimes produces presidential election results at odds with the popular vote; federal campaign finance laws often favor the wealthy, special interests, and corporations over voters; many states have passed laws aimed at suppressing voters of color and subverting election results; and the U.S. Supreme Court has stripped people of some fundamental rights. People inevitably lose trust in government when the system seems prone to corruption and stacked against them or when elected leaders fail to enact and defend policies designed to help people achieve the American dream.

To meet these challenges, the Center for American Progress is focused on progressive, commonsense policies to modernize government for 21st century realities and build a democracy that fully represents all Americans. CAP’s government reform work takes place at the local, state, and federal levels, and wherever possible, with stakeholders across the ideological spectrum. We advance policies that will, among other things, set national baseline standards to help ensure free and fair elections and the drawing of nonpartisan congressional districts; reduce the influence of corporate money and secret spending that warp elections; meaningfully reform the Supreme Court; update U.S. Senate rules to make it harder for the minority political party to stop progress on popular legislation; and ensure that elected officials do their jobs in transparent and ethical ways.

A group of voters is seen filling out their ballots in voting booths at a polling place.
Voters cast their ballots in Los Angeles on June 5, 2018. (Getty/Mario Tama)

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Americans Continue To Build a Peaceful Mass Movement To Force Trump Administration Changes Article
Marchers crowd the streets of New York City as part of nationwide

Americans Continue To Build a Peaceful Mass Movement To Force Trump Administration Changes

The October “No Kings” protests show that sustained mass mobilization is a potent force, and as history reveals, peaceful protests by just 3.5 percent of a nation’s population at a peak moment can make it extremely difficult for the government to ignore peoples’ demands.

Michael Sozan

Trump’s Take Feature

Trump’s Take

Cash and gifts received by Trump since he was elected to his second term.

Center for American Progress

Securing American Democracy: A Conversation With Sen. Adam Schiff Past Event
Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) questions Pam Bondi during her confirmation hearing.

Securing American Democracy: A Conversation With Sen. Adam Schiff

Join the Center for American Progress for a conversation with Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) as part of CAP’s “What’s Next: Conversations on the Path Forward” series.

Center for American Progress

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

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

How Congress Can End Trump’s Trade War Article

How Congress Can End Trump’s Trade War

Congress should focus on actions that immediately end the harm the Trump administration is imposing on American workers, businesses, and consumers.

Doug Molof

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

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

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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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