‘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.

‘Nothing but speculation and conjecture’: Judge swats down GOP lawsuit to decertify Biden's Michigan win  —  A federal judge in Michigan on Monday denied a Republican effort to undo the certification of President-elect Joe Biden as the winner of the presidential election in the state …

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 …

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” …

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” …

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” …

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 …

Trump Administration Declines to Tighten Soot Rules, Despite Link to Covid Deaths  —  Health experts say the E.P.A. decision defies scientific research showing that particulate pollution contributes to tens of thousands of premature deaths annually.  —  WASHINGTON — The Trump administration …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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,” …

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.

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.

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.