During the turn of the century, maverick muckraking journalists dug up dirt on unfair labor practices including the use of child labor. Muckrakers also drew attention to unsanitary working conditions and the lack of systematic health regulations in meat and food production. President Roosevelt responded by initiating a series of labor-related legislation including the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906. However, Roosevelt at the same time publicly denounced muckrakers and lent them their derogatory name. Roosevelt's passion for environmental conservation reflected his personal interests and beliefs more than it did the results of investigative journalism. Environmental conservation emerged as of the main issues that distinguished the progressivism of Roosevelt and that of Wilson.

Presidents Roosevelt and Wilson transformed the role of the federal government in the United States. Both wielded their executive powers to protect the rights of the poor and working class, to abolish some of the powers of big business and corporate interests, and to impose regulations on key industries including food and public utilities like water and transportation. Legislation passed under President Roosevelt included the Hepburn Act, which regulated the railroads even beyond what had been accomplished through the 1901 Northern Securities Case. With the Hepburn Act, the federally-run Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) would impose radical regulations on the railroad industry including a prohibition of any attempt to restrict competition...

Wilson's attacks on big business were remarkably similar in spite of the differences in stance and approach between the two presidents. The Clayton Antitrust Act enhanced the earlier Sherman Antitrust Act by prohibiting price discrimination, price fixing, and any merger or acquisition that would stifle competition.
Progressivism also gave rise to several populist transformations in the American system of government. Women's suffrage emerged directly out of progressive politics in 1920, during Wilson's presidency. Similarly, Wilson oversaw the passing of the 17th Amendment to the Constitution, requiring the direct election of senators. Issues including the right of the people to participate more fully in state and federal government became hallmarks of progressivism as were anti-trust legislations. Roosevelt and Wilson both supported popular initiative, referendum and recall to abolish what both viewed as an imbalance of power in America.