Shumita Basu

So let me ask you, as we approach the 100-day mark of Trump's second term here, what specific actions are you observing that concern you?

So let me ask you, as we approach the 100-day mark of Trump's second term here, what specific actions are you observing that concern you?

So let me ask you, as we approach the 100-day mark of Trump's second term here, what specific actions are you observing that concern you?

Mm-hmm. A lot of people are quick to pin this to Trump and characterize this as a Trump v. Democrats or even Trump v. Democracy issue. But to what extent is the deterioration of democratic norms in the U.S. something that can be tied directly to Trump? And to what extent is it connected to other longer standing trends that we've seen in our politics?

Mm-hmm. A lot of people are quick to pin this to Trump and characterize this as a Trump v. Democrats or even Trump v. Democracy issue. But to what extent is the deterioration of democratic norms in the U.S. something that can be tied directly to Trump? And to what extent is it connected to other longer standing trends that we've seen in our politics?

Mm-hmm. A lot of people are quick to pin this to Trump and characterize this as a Trump v. Democrats or even Trump v. Democracy issue. But to what extent is the deterioration of democratic norms in the U.S. something that can be tied directly to Trump? And to what extent is it connected to other longer standing trends that we've seen in our politics?

So from your experience writing about how these moments in history have played out in other countries, can this kind of backsliding be stopped? And if so, who would need to play a role in that?

So from your experience writing about how these moments in history have played out in other countries, can this kind of backsliding be stopped? And if so, who would need to play a role in that?

So from your experience writing about how these moments in history have played out in other countries, can this kind of backsliding be stopped? And if so, who would need to play a role in that?

But, you know, Ruth, what I keep thinking about is you're right to point out that the United States is unusual in many ways when comparing to other countries. It's hard to do. But we're also unusual in that President Trump served a first term, was not voted back into office. And was reelected then to come back and serve a second term, disjointed from the first. So I don't know.

But, you know, Ruth, what I keep thinking about is you're right to point out that the United States is unusual in many ways when comparing to other countries. It's hard to do. But we're also unusual in that President Trump served a first term, was not voted back into office. And was reelected then to come back and serve a second term, disjointed from the first. So I don't know.

But, you know, Ruth, what I keep thinking about is you're right to point out that the United States is unusual in many ways when comparing to other countries. It's hard to do. But we're also unusual in that President Trump served a first term, was not voted back into office. And was reelected then to come back and serve a second term, disjointed from the first. So I don't know.

I take value in looking back at history, obviously, and trying to see the parallels and learn the lessons. But at the same time, there's clearly something completely different happening here, too. There's an unprecedented element.

I take value in looking back at history, obviously, and trying to see the parallels and learn the lessons. But at the same time, there's clearly something completely different happening here, too. There's an unprecedented element.

I take value in looking back at history, obviously, and trying to see the parallels and learn the lessons. But at the same time, there's clearly something completely different happening here, too. There's an unprecedented element.

In the months ahead... What are two or three things that you think the American public should be really paying close attention to as we think about the health of our democracy?

In the months ahead... What are two or three things that you think the American public should be really paying close attention to as we think about the health of our democracy?

In the months ahead... What are two or three things that you think the American public should be really paying close attention to as we think about the health of our democracy?

Ruth Bengiat, thank you so much for your time. Thank you. Before we let you go, a few other stories we're following. In the past 24 hours, a number of President Trump's policy initiatives were dealt setbacks by courts. First, a federal court rejected his attempt to require documented proof of citizenship from people who are registering to vote.

Ruth Bengiat, thank you so much for your time. Thank you. Before we let you go, a few other stories we're following. In the past 24 hours, a number of President Trump's policy initiatives were dealt setbacks by courts. First, a federal court rejected his attempt to require documented proof of citizenship from people who are registering to vote.