British, French and German publics give Biden high marks after U.S. election

Donald Trump was broadly unpopular internationally throughout his presidency. Early reviews for his successor, Joe Biden, are much more positive, according to a new survey in three countries. Large majorities in Germany (79%), France (72%) and the UK (65%) say they have confidence in Biden to do the right thing in world affairs. Many also say they are optimistic about their country’s future relations with the U.S.

• Even before Capitol riot, most people in Germany, France and the UK had concerns about U.S. political system

Biden is only the second Catholic president, but nearly all have been Christians

The U.S. Constitution famously prohibits any religious test or requirement for public office. Still, almost all of the nation’s presidents have been Christians. That includes Joe Biden, a Catholic who often speaks of his religious convictions, quotes the Bible and attends Mass regularly.

Black Americans have made gains in U.S. political leadership, but gaps remain

Kamala Harris’ election as vice president represented another advance in the slow but steady progress Black Americans have made in recent decades in gaining a greater foothold in political leadership, particularly in the U.S. House of Representatives and in the Cabinets of recent presidents. But they have lagged in representation in the Senate and in governorships.

Trump used his clemency power sparingly, despite a raft of late pardons and commutations

Despite a burst of pardons and commutations in his last hours in office, Donald Trump used his executive clemency power less frequently than nearly every other president since the turn of the 20th century. Only two other presidents since 1900 – George W. and George H.W. Bush – granted clemency to fewer people than Trump.

Nothing lame about this lame duck: 116th Congress had busiest post-election session in recent history

More than four-in-ten bills that became law out of the 116th Congress were passed in the final two months of its two-year term. That’s the highest share of lame-duck legislation since at least the 93rd Congress of 1973-74. Despite its late burst of activity, the 116th was one of the least legislatively productive Congresses of the past five decades.

How we know the drop in Trump’s approval rating in January reflected a real shift in public opinion

Most Americans say another round of COVID-19 economic relief will be needed

Some Americans who have been targeted by troubling behaviors online wouldn’t call it ‘harassment’

Decoded: Assessing the consistency of online opt-in polls

From our research