The Conversation convenes this week with the Opinion columnist David Brooks, the contributing Opinion writer E.J. Dionne Jr. and the former host of NPR’s “All Things Considered” Robert Siegel to discuss and debate Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral run, gerrymandering and what the No Kings protests achieved.

Trump Has a Religion. What Do Democrats Have?

Below is a transcript of an episode of “The Opinions.” We recommend listening to it in its original form for the full effect. You can do so using the player above or on the NYTimes app, Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

The transcript has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Robert Siegel: I’m Robert Siegel, now a contributor to Times Opinion. I’m in conversation with two old friends, both of The New York Times. Columnist David Brooks: How are you?

Robert Siegel: And contributing Opinion writer E.J. Dionne.

E.J. Dionne Jr.: Great to be with you, always.

Siegel: Once again, we’re together to talk about politics — and there is no shortage of things to talk about. Last month we started off with the question of authoritarianism. Do all the various claims of new presidential powers amount to a loss of fundamental liberties? Well, it seems that several million Americans think so.

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