Modern Politics

Understanding American politics in the digital age through neutral historical analysis.

🏛️ All Institutions

Government agencies, regulatory bodies, and institutions shaping political discourse

9 institutions documented
Type to filter results

Central Intelligence Agency

executive-agency federal Founded 1947

Federal intelligence agency responsible for foreign intelligence, cyber operations, and information warfare with significant impact on digital political discourse and platform operations.

Authority: Foreign intelligence collection, cyber operations, information warfare, covert influence operations, counterintelligence activities
William Burns (Director)David Cohen (Deputy Director)Tammy Kupperman Thorp (Associate Deputy Director)

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

executive-agency federal Founded 2002

Federal department coordinating cybersecurity, election security, and counter-disinformation through CISA and other agencies.

Authority: Cybersecurity coordination, critical infrastructure protection, election security oversight, disinformation monitoring
Alejandro Mayorkas (Secretary)Jen Easterly (CISA Director)Eric Goldstein (CISA Executive Assistant Director)

Department of Justice

executive-agency federal Founded 1870

Federal law enforcement agency with authority over antitrust enforcement, cybercrime prosecution, and election-related criminal investigations.

Authority: Criminal prosecution, antitrust enforcement, civil rights enforcement, cybercrime investigation, election crime prosecution
Merrick Garland (Attorney General)Lisa Monaco (Deputy Attorney General)Kenneth Polite Jr. (Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division)

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

regulatory-agency federal Founded 1934

Independent federal agency that regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable

Authority: Broadcast licensing, content regulations, spectrum allocation, enforcement of communications laws
Brendan Carr (Chair)Jessica Rosenworcel (Commissioner)Geoffrey Starks (Commissioner)

Federal Election Commission

independent-agency federal Founded 1975

Independent regulatory agency that administers and enforces federal campaign finance law for congressional and presidential elections.

Authority: Campaign finance regulation, contribution limits enforcement, disclosure requirements, public funding oversight
Shana M. Broussard (Chair)Allen J. DickersonCaroline C. Hunter

Federal Trade Commission

regulatory-agency federal Founded 1914

Federal agency protecting consumers and maintaining competition, with authority over digital platforms, online advertising, and data privacy.

Authority: Antitrust enforcement, consumer protection, data privacy regulation, digital advertising oversight, merger review
Lina Khan (Chair)Rebecca Kelly Slaughter (Commissioner)Alvaro Bedoya (Commissioner) +2 more

National Security Agency

executive-agency federal Founded 1952

Federal intelligence agency responsible for signals intelligence, cybersecurity, and cryptography with significant impact on digital privacy and encryption policy.

Authority: Signals intelligence collection, cybersecurity oversight, cryptographic standards, foreign intelligence gathering
General Paul Nakasone (Director)George Barnes (Deputy Director)Anne Neuberger (Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber)

Supreme Court of the United States

court-system federal Founded 1789

Highest judicial authority interpreting constitutional law, including First Amendment protections and campaign finance regulations that shape digital political expression.

Authority: Constitutional interpretation, judicial review of laws and regulations, final appellate jurisdiction over federal and constitutional questions
John Roberts (Chief Justice)Clarence Thomas (Associate Justice)Samuel Alito (Associate Justice) +2 more

United States Congress

legislative-body federal Founded 1789

The legislative branch of the federal government with oversight authority over digital platforms and technology policy through key committees and high-profile hearings.

Authority: Legislative oversight, subpoena power, budget authorization, regulatory framework creation, confirmation of federal appointments
Mike Johnson (House Speaker)Hakeem Jeffries (House Minority Leader)Chuck Schumer (Senate Majority Leader) +2 more