“Progressives,” not as we understand the term today, predate Wilson although he was our nation’s first true Leftist as we understand it. The original progressive movement in the US had its roots in the backlash against Industrial Revolution excesses. It’s the movement that gave us the income tax and direct election of senators, among other misguided “reforms.” Teddy Roosevelt is probably the most famous of that prototype progressive. But it was a perfect cloak for the rise of Marxism and its first derivative, communism. As such, it was a fertile ground for the Marxists of that day to sow their bitter seeds, which began to grow under Wilson, FDR and their successors. I agree with many that Wilson was among our worst, if not the worst president in our history.
Yes, I know that all too well.
As for FDR, there was a man whose cabinet was infected with various forms of Fellow Traveler (including apologists for Stalin).