‘This Must Be Your First’  —  On the evening of September 11, 1980, my mom was approached by a neighbor who held rank in the Turkish military.  He told her to stock up on bread and rice.  “Oh, another coup,” she immediately groaned.  The neighbor was aghast—he wasn't supposed to tell anyone what was coming.

What If Trump Is Trying To Break the GOP?  —  The future of the Republican party is an endless series of loyalty tests and Trump family vendettas.  Good luck.  —  It's hard for Republicans to think straight these days.  Stop the count, no, wait—do a recount.  Elections are rigged and fraudulent.

Judge Removes Tentacle of ‘Kraken’ Election-Toppling Bid in Michigan: ‘The People Have Spoken’  —  Slapping down one of the so-called “Kraken” cases pushed by pro-Trump lawyers Sidney Powell and Lin Wood, a federal judge in Michigan cut off one of the arms of their efforts to overturn battleground elections.

The ‘Safe Harbor’ Deadline Is upon Us  —  On the menu today: As of tomorrow, under U.S. law, the 2020 presidential election is really, really, really over, under something called the “safe harbor deadline.”  The Supreme Court might weigh in on Representative Mike Kelly's suit …

Bob Dylan Sells His Songwriting Catalog in Blockbuster Deal  —  Universal Music purchased his entire songwriting catalog of more than 600 songs in what may be the biggest acquisition ever of a single act's publishing rights.  —  Bob Dylan's memoir “Chronicles: Volume One” …

Pompeo to speak in Georgia as Senate run-offs loom  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo plans to deliver a speech extolling the Trump administration's foreign policy this week in Georgia, ahead of key Senate run-off elections in the state that will determine control of the upper chamber of Congress.

Armed protesters alleging voter fraud surrounded the home of Michigan's secretary of state  —  Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson had just finished wrapping string lights around her home's portico on Saturday evening and was about to watch “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” …

Matthew McConaughey criticizes Hollywood ‘far left;’ says the right is in election ‘denial’  —  Matthew McConaughey is doing his best to demonstrate during his current, seemingly unending book promotional tour that he is different from other Hollywood stars who discuss politics.

Social Security Administration is preparing to bar 500,000 Americans from getting benefits  —  Over the weekend, the Social Security Administration (SSA) sent the Trump administration's Office of Management and Budget a proposal that — if similar to a version leaked earlier this year …

No, The Georgia Vote-Counting Video Was Not ‘Debunked.’ Not Even Close  —  A Big Tech-backed ‘fact’ ‘checking’ outfit claimed to debunk explosive evidence for Republicans' claims of significant election problems in Georgia.  It didn't.  —  A Big Tech-backed “fact” “checking” …

Millions of Americans are heading into the holidays unemployed and over $5,000 behind on rent  —  Economists warn many unemployed families won't be able to pay rent and utilities without more stimulus aid from Congress  —  Millions of Americans who lost their jobs during the pandemic …

The Man Who Found Forrest Fenn's Treasure  —  The decade-long hunt captured the world's attention, but when it finally ended in June, everyone still wanted to know: Who had solved the mystery?  This week, as legal proceedings threaten his anonymity, a 32-year-old medical student is ready to go on the record.

The Places That Had the Biggest Swings Toward and Against Trump  —  Education was a key dividing line, but other things mattered, too.  —  With most of the slow-to-report votes tallied, we finally have a clearer picture of last month's presidential results.

USTR set to file dairy case against Canada  —  Editor's Note: Weekly Trade is a weekly version of POLITICO Pro's daily Trade policy newsletter, Morning Trade.  POLITICO Pro is a policy intelligence platform that combines the news you need with tools you can use to take action on the day's biggest stories.

Biden's ambassador to the GOP  —  Chris Coons was in the final two when it came to Joe Biden's search for a secretary of State.  But the president-elect had a simple message when he broke the news that the job would instead go to Tony Blinken.  —  “I need you in the Senate,” …

Bob Woodward is writing another Trump book with the Washington Post's Robert Costa  —  Woodward with Robert Costa.  Photo via YouTube.  —  When Bob Woodward called President Trump to warn him that “Rage” would be “a tough book,” Trump replied, as Woodward recounted on “60 Minutes”: “Well, I didn't get you on this book.

Get ready to change the channel and stop giving Donald Trump the attention he craves  —  I am a part of this problem.  But my point is we have an opportunity to do better.  To learn from the past.  To ignore Trump and get back to reality.  —  As we near the end of the Trump presidency …

California sheriff says he won't enforce Newsom lockdown order  —  A California sheriff said his office will not be enforcing new coronavirus lockdown orders from Gov. Gavin Newsom.  —  Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes told Fox News on Monday that the orders don't pass the “constitutional test” …

Anti-Vaccine Doctor Has Been Invited to Testify Before Senate Committee  —  The selection of Dr. Jane M. Orient as federal health officials are trying to promote a vaccine to end the coronavirus pandemic prompted harsh criticism from Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York.

Next up for Never Trumpers  —  The first and essential goal for Never Trumpers — the general description for the loose affiliation of former Republicans and anti-Trump Republicans who worked on behalf of President-elect Joe Biden — was accomplished with the defeat of President Trump.

The Suburbs Helped Elect Biden.  Can They Give Democrats the Senate, Too?  —  Some Atlanta suburbs that used to be “blood red” went blue in November.  But Democrats need strong turnout in January, not just disaffected Republicans seeking to give Trump one final defeat.