Why the A.C.L.U. Wants to Be More Like the N.R.A.

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For decades, the American Civil Liberties Union has battled in the courts on behalf of Americans’ constitutional rights, whether that means same-sex marriage or the right of neo-Nazis to hold a rally. But since the 2016 election, the A.C.L.U. has been changing tactics, and one of its models for the future is the National Rifle Association.

On today’s episode:

• Anthony Romero, the executive director of the A.C.L.U.

Background coverage:

• The A.C.L.U.’s membership more than quadrupled in the 15 months after the election, and Mr. Romero “knew that the public’s investment of faith and money required something bigger from them than what they could achieve in a courtroom,” writes Joel Lovell in his piece for The New York Times Magazine on the A.C.L.U.’s Trump-era transformation.

• Listen to an episode of “The Daily” about the controversy over the A.C.L.U.’s defense of the free speech rights of white nationalists.

Tune in, and tell us what you think. Email us at [email protected]. Tweet Michael Barbaro at @mikiebarb. And if you’re interested in advertising with “The Daily,” write to us at [email protected].

Joel Lovell contributed reporting.

“Why the A.C.L.U. Wants to Be More Like the N.R.A.” was produced by Andy Mills, with help from Jessica Cheung and Paige Cowett, and edited by Lisa Tobin.

“The Daily” is produced by Theo Balcomb, Annie Brown, Jessica Cheung, Paige Cowett, Lynsea Garrison, Michael Simon Johnson, Andy Mills, Rachel Quester, Ike Sriskandarajah and Clare Toeniskoetter, with editing help from Larissa Anderson. Lisa Tobin is our executive producer. Samantha Henig is our editorial director. Brad Fisher is our technical manager. Chris Wood is our sound engineer. Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly.