Behind the Curtain: Deep Democratic depression … Come January, they'll have scant power in the federal government, and shriveling clout in the courts and states.  — The traditional media structure sympathetic to their views, and hostile to Trump's, was shattered.

Playbook: Dems agonize over Sotomayor  —  With help from Eli Okun, Garrett Ross and Bethany Irvine  —  DRIVING THE DAY  —  THE LATEST RACE CALLS — Republican DAVE McCORMICK defeats Democratic Sen. BOB CASEY in Pennsylvania. ...  Reps. DON DAVIS (D-N.C.), YOUNG KIM (R-Calif.), JULIA BROWNLEY …

I blame the media  —  I am horrified and I am terrified and I am angry.  —  And I blame the media.  —  Yes, I am aware that some large number of people who voted for Trump did so fully aware that he will rule as a racist, a chaos agent, and a strongman.  That's what they want.  Noted.

Wave of Racist Texts After Election Prompts F.B.I.'s Scrutiny  —  Offensive messages were reported across the South and from New York to California.  —  A wave of racist text messages summoning Black people to report for slavery showed up on phones across the United States …

Ted Cruz's daughter caught wincing and telling her mom 'don't clap' as senator praises Trump on stage  —  Caroline Cruz, 16, was left scowling at her mother on stage as the Texas senator prayed for a Trump win  —  Your support helps us to tell the story  —  From reproductive rights …

Special counsel Jack Smith seeks pause in Trump's election interference criminal trial  —  The prosecutor said he would notify the court in December about how he plans to move forward, likely the first step in unwinding the case against Trump.  —  WASHINGTON — Special counsel Jack Smith …

Dump Twitter  —  The oligarchs won.  When the markets closed November 6—the day Donald Trump was declared winner of the presidential election—the combined wealth of the world's 10 richest people, nine of whom live in the United States, had surged by a combined $63.5 billion.

Neera Tanden's X posts violated ban on political fundraising, government watchdog alleges  —  Office of Special Counsel says Tanden shouldn't have solicited funds for political campaigns.  —  A government ethics watchdog agency has formally accused White House domestic policy chief Neera Tanden …

Dems going after trans people this week should be ashamed of themselves  —  In the wake of Donald Trump's election to a second term as president, some Democrats have begun lobbing anti-transgender attacks — and other “let's panic” responses.  Such instant responses are shameful and must …

The wreckage Merrick Garland leaves behind  —  His failures left American democracy ripe for the picking. … ✍️  —  It has often been said that Donald Trump was running for president to keep himself out of prison.  Mission accomplished.  —  But the fact that Trump wasn't …

Israeli soccer fans targeted in wave of violence in Amsterdam  —  Maccabi Tel Aviv FC was in Amsterdam to play Ajax  —  Maccabi Tel Aviv FC supporters were reportedly the target of violence in Amsterdam Thursday before and during the soccer team's match against Ajax.

Election 2024 live updates: Trump readies for his second administration  —  The president-elect already made a key hire with the announcement that co-campaign chair Susie Wiles will be the first female White House chief of staff. … Pa. Senate candidate Dave McCormick sues over provisional ballots in Philadelphia

Trump AG Prospect Warns Letitia James: ‘We Will Put Your Fat Ass In Prison’  —  Trump-aligned lawyer Mike Davis threatened New York's attorney general with racist and sexist posturing in perhaps a sign of things to come.  —  LOADING  —  Republican lawyer Mike Davis, an adviser for Donald …

Netanyahu appoints new Israeli ambassador to US  —  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed a new Israeli ambassador to the U.S. this week.  —  Netanyahu tapped U.S.-born Dr. Yechiel Leiter to succeed Michael Herzog as the Jewish State's next ambassador in Washington.

WATCH — ‘Knock That Stupid S**t Off’: Michael Cohen Trolled While Explaining Plans to Leave U.S. After Trump Victory  —  Michael Cohen, who used to work as President-Elect Donald Trump's personal attorney, got hilariously trolled in a video after saying he was going to leave the country …

Harris, Biden camps blame each other for loss … - In response to Trump's decisive victory, aides in both camps are blaming the other for being more responsible, according to interviews with more than a dozen people in the White House and Harris' campaign.

GOP senator: Trump shouldn't pardon Hunter Biden  —  Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) says President-elect Trump should not pardon Hunter Biden, President Biden's son, of felony charges related to his purchase of a revolver in 2018 nor the tax charges he pleaded guilty to in September.

Why Dean Phillips thinks Harris lost  —  The Washington Post's essential guide to power and influence in D.C.  —  Sign upfor Early Brief newsletter  —  Good morning, Early Birds.  We all made it to Friday.  Have a great weekend.  Send tips to earlytips@washpost.com.  Thanks for waking up with us.