Trump incites rioters and terrorists

Plus: Georgia Senate results, the Covid catastrophe and Hong Kong. [View in browser](~/AAAAAQA~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~)|[nytimes.com](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0SyaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTQ1JmVtYz1lZGl0X25rXzIwMjEwMTA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI1NzIyJm5sPW5pY2hvbGFzLWtyaXN0b2YmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ4NTYwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf9pNE9l8LlLFAUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~)[Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-ad-marquee) ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTYxOTkwJmxpPU5LJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1OS18yMDIxMDEwNlcDbnl0Qgpf9pNE9l8LlLFAUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ [NYTimes.com/Kristof](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TIaHR0cDovL3d3dy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS9jb2x1bW4vbmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZj9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD00NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ua18yMDIxMDEwNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yNTcyMiZubD1uaWNob2xhcy1rcmlzdG9mJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD00ODU2MCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKX_aTRPZfC5SxQFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) January 6, 2021 Joseph Prezioso/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images [Author Headshot](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TJaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vY29sdW1uL25pY2hvbGFzLWtyaXN0b2Y_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMTAxMDYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjU3MjImbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDg1NjAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_2k0T2XwuUsUBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) By [Nicholas Kristof](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TJaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vY29sdW1uL25pY2hvbGFzLWtyaXN0b2Y_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMTAxMDYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjU3MjImbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDg1NjAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_2k0T2XwuUsUBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) Opinion Columnist This is a horrifying and shameful day in American history. A president incited rioters to attack the U.S. Capitol and interrupt the Constitutional process to select a new president. “Our democracy is under unprecedented assault, unlike anything we have seen in modern times,” President-elect Joe Biden said. He described it as “an assault on the citadel of liberty, the Capitol itself.” [My column says](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TcaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wMS8wNi9vcGluaW9uL2NhcGl0b2wtcmlvdC10cnVtcC5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTQ1JmVtYz1lZGl0X25rXzIwMjEwMTA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI1NzIyJm5sPW5pY2hvbGFzLWtyaXN0b2YmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ4NTYwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf9pNE9l8LlLFAUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) that President Trump wraps himself in patriotic language and the flag, but then betrays his country when he unleashes rioters to interrupt the selection of the new president. I note that Trump egged the protesters on, as did Rudy Giuliani. [Please read.](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TcaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wMS8wNi9vcGluaW9uL2NhcGl0b2wtcmlvdC10cnVtcC5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTQ1JmVtYz1lZGl0X25rXzIwMjEwMTA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI1NzIyJm5sPW5pY2hvbGFzLWtyaXN0b2YmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ4NTYwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf9pNE9l8LlLFAUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) Those Georgia Results Trump has, over his term, lost the House, the presidency and now the Senate. He has turned states like Georgia and Arizona blue. I hope that Republican officeholders, especially in the Senate and House, are learning lessons. [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-0) ADVERTISEMENT ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTYxOTg3JmxpPU5LJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1OS18yMDIxMDEwNlcDbnl0Qgpf9pNE9l8LlLFAUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTYxOTg5JmxpPU5LJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1OS18yMDIxMDEwNlcDbnl0Qgpf9pNE9l8LlLFAUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTYxOTg4JmxpPU5LJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1OS18yMDIxMDEwNlcDbnl0Qgpf9pNE9l8LlLFAUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ Winning the Senate will help President-elect Biden with appointments and budgets, but Republicans will still be able to use the filibuster to kill legislation. And because not all Senate Democrats support ending the filibuster, there doesn’t seem a prospect of ending it. The Covid Catastrophe A record [131,000](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TfaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vaW50ZXJhY3RpdmUvMjAyMC91cy9jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy11cy1jYXNlcy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTQ1JmVtYz1lZGl0X25rXzIwMjEwMTA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI1NzIyJm5sPW5pY2hvbGFzLWtyaXN0b2YmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ4NTYwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf9pNE9l8LlLFAUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) patients were hospitalized for the coronavirus in the United States on Tuesday, along with a staggering 3,664 deaths from the virus. Southern California and Arizona are in desperate shape, yet at the same time the United States is having trouble injecting all the vaccines we have; some are in danger of expiring. Folks, we have to do a better job both of slowing virus transmission and of accelerating vaccinations. Our attention has been diverted by the Georgia elections and by Trump’s maneuvers, but staggering numbers of people will continue to die each day unless we do better. [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-1) ADVERTISEMENT ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTI4ODA4JmxpPU5LJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1OS18yMDIxMDEwNlcDbnl0Qgpf9pNE9l8LlLFAUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTI4ODA5JmxpPU5LJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1OS18yMDIxMDEwNlcDbnl0Qgpf9pNE9l8LlLFAUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9MTI4ODEwJmxpPU5LJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1OS18yMDIxMDEwNlcDbnl0Qgpf9pNE9l8LlLFAUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ New Biden Appointments Biden has picked Wendy Sherman, a veteran diplomat with long experience dealing with both Iran and North Korea, to be deputy secretary of state. And he reportedly will name Victoria Nuland, another longtime diplomat whom Vladimir Putin detests, to be under secretary of state for political affairs. As I read the tea leaves, that means that Biden hopes to work out deals with Iran and perhaps North Korea, but will maintain a tough position toward Russia. It’s also nice to see the elevation of expertise and experience. Two deeply experienced veterans of the Obama administration — Brett McGurk and Kurt Campbell — are expected to be named to senior posts in the National Security Council. China and Taiwan Hong Kong’s latest crackdown — arresting more than 50 democracy activists — underscores the death of China’s “one country, two systems” approach for Hong Kong. It’s all pretty much one system now, at least in terms of politics. [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-2) ADVERTISEMENT ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9NzI4Njk1JmxpPU5LJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1OS18yMDIxMDEwNlcDbnl0Qgpf9pNE9l8LlLFAUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9NzI4Njk2JmxpPU5LJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1OS18yMDIxMDEwNlcDbnl0Qgpf9pNE9l8LlLFAUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ ~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0RtaHR0cHM6Ly9saXZlaW50ZW50Lm5ld3lvcmt0aW1lc2luZm8uY29tL2NsaWNrP3M9NzI4Njk4JmxpPU5LJm09YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDcmcD1OS18yMDIxMDEwNlcDbnl0Qgpf9pNE9l8LlLFAUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~ The question is what that means for China and Taiwan. For many years, China has tried to lure Taiwan back with “one country, two systems,” but with that now inoperable, will China use military power to impinge on Taiwan and coerce it, in ways that would risk war and might draw in the United States? That’s one of the biggest questions for the years ahead — and one of the biggest geopolitical dangers. What I’m Listening To The new podcast series [“Timber Wars”](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TMaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnByLm9yZy9wb2RjYXN0cy85MDY4Mjk2MDgvdGltYmVyLXdhcnM_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMTAxMDYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjU3MjImbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDg1NjAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_2k0T2XwuUsUBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) explores the battles between environmentalists and logging communities beginning in the 1980s that reshaped much of the West, and I’ve been listening to it on my daily runs. I strongly recommend it. The Storming of the U.S. Capitol I’ve covered attempted coups in other countries but never imagined I would cover one in the United States. Yet today the president incited sedition and galvanized an attack not only on a building but on our democratic process. But I’d also say that in covering coups and dictators, usually they don’t end well. History catches up with them — and the same will happen with Donald Trump. [Please read](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TcaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wMS8wNi9vcGluaW9uL2NhcGl0b2wtcmlvdC10cnVtcC5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTQ1JmVtYz1lZGl0X25rXzIwMjEwMTA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI1NzIyJm5sPW5pY2hvbGFzLWtyaXN0b2YmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ4NTYwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf9pNE9l8LlLFAUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). You can connect with me on [Facebook](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP4QbAmh0dHBzOi8vbmwubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vZi9hL050VmRFMC1zeUV5WmxZR2FqUFNLUFF-fi9BQUFBQVFBfi9SZ1JmS0daYlAwUzBhSFIwY0RvdkwzZDNkeTVtWVdObFltOXZheTVqYjIwdmEzSnBjM1J2Wmo5allXMXdZV2xuYmw5cFpEMDBOU1pwYm5OMFlXNWpaVjlwWkQweE1UTTVOaVp6WldkdFpXNTBYMmxrUFRFMU9EVTBKblZ6WlhKZmFXUTlOakZrWlRobFl6ZzNOalkwTm1NNE9XSXpOMlF4WmpRMU1qUm1OVE5oTldZbWNtVm5hVjlwWkQwM056azRNVEl4TnladWJEMXVhV05vYjJ4aGN5MXJjbWx6ZEc5bUptVnRZejFsWkdsMFgyNXJYekl3TVRrd09EQXpWd051ZVhSQ0NnQW1XLUZGWGJpRW14WlNHMkZzWlhoaGJtUnlZUzV0TG0xaGNtTm9RR2R0WVdsc0xtTnZiVmdFQUFBQUFBfn4_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMTAxMDYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjU3MjImbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDg1NjAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_2k0T2XwuUsUBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) or [Instagram](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0S-aHR0cDovL3d3dy5pbnN0YWdyYW0uY29tL25pY2trcmlzdG9mP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTQ1JmVtYz1lZGl0X25rXzIwMjEwMTA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI1NzIyJm5sPW5pY2hvbGFzLWtyaXN0b2YmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ4NTYwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf9pNE9l8LlLFAUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~). If you have friends who might enjoy this newsletter, please forward this email or tell them they can [sign up here](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP4Q_Amh0dHBzOi8vbmwubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vZi9hL2c0MjZ1NUZRNDRlRWJDY2N2NXc4ckF-fi9BQUFBQVFBfi9SZ1JmS0daYlAwVFFhSFIwY0RvdkwzZDNkeTV1ZVhScGJXVnpMbU52YlM5dVpYZHpiR1YwZEdWeWN5OXVhV05vYjJ4aGN5MXJjbWx6ZEc5bVAzUmxQVEVtYm13OWJtbGphMnR5YVhOMGIyWW1aVzFqUFdWa2FYUmZibXRmTWpBeE56QXlNVFlfWTJGdGNHRnBaMjVmYVdROU5EVW1hVzV6ZEdGdVkyVmZhV1E5TVRFek9UWW1jMlZuYldWdWRGOXBaRDB4TlRnMU5DWjFjMlZ5WDJsa1BUWXhaR1U0WldNNE56WTJORFpqT0RsaU16ZGtNV1kwTlRJMFpqVXpZVFZtSm5KbFoybGZhV1E5TnpjNU9ERXlNVGN5TURFM01ESXhObGNEYm5sMFFnb0FKbHZoUlYyNGhKc1dVaHRoYkdWNFlXNWtjbUV1YlM1dFlYSmphRUJuYldGcGJDNWpiMjFZQkFBQUFBQX4_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMTAxMDYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjU3MjImbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDg1NjAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_2k0T2XwuUsUBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). If you’re looking for more, check out our recent [book here](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0T8aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cucGVuZ3VpbnJhbmRvbWhvdXNlLmNvbS9ib29rcy81ODg5OTkvdGlnaHRyb3BlLWJ5LW5pY2hvbGFzLWQta3Jpc3RvZi1hbmQtc2hlcnlsLXd1ZHVubi8_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMTAxMDYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjU3MjImbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDg1NjAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_2k0T2XwuUsUBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). Feedback and suggestions welcome at kristof-newsletter@nytimes.com. RECENT COLUMNS [Starving Children Don’t Cry For several years, each year was the best in human history. Then 2020 came along. By Nicholas Kristof](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wMS8wMi9vcGluaW9uL3N1bmRheS8yMDIwLXdvcnN0LXllYXItZmFtaW5lLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMTAxMDYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjU3MjImbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDg1NjAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_2k0T2XwuUsUBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [Article Image](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wMS8wMi9vcGluaW9uL3N1bmRheS8yMDIwLXdvcnN0LXllYXItZmFtaW5lLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMTAxMDYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjU3MjImbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDg1NjAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_2k0T2XwuUsUBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [Pastor, Can White Evangelicalism Be Saved? A conversation about Christmas and faith’s role in building a “beloved community.” By Nicholas Kristof](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8xMi8xOS9vcGluaW9uL3N1bmRheS9jaHJpc3RpYW4tZXZhbmdlbGljYWwtY2hyaXN0bWFzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMTAxMDYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjU3MjImbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDg1NjAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_2k0T2XwuUsUBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [Article Image](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TwaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8xMi8xOS9vcGluaW9uL3N1bmRheS9jaHJpc3RpYW4tZXZhbmdlbGljYWwtY2hyaXN0bWFzLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMTAxMDYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjU3MjImbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDg1NjAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_2k0T2XwuUsUBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) WHAT I’M READING IN THE TIMES [Jeff Flake: My Fellow Republicans, Trump Is Destroying Us There is power in standing up to the rank corruptions of a demagogue. By Jeff Flake](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wMS8wNi9vcGluaW9uL2plZmYtZmxha2UtdHJ1bXAtcmVwdWJsaWNhbnMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD00NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ua18yMDIxMDEwNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yNTcyMiZubD1uaWNob2xhcy1rcmlzdG9mJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD00ODU2MCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKX_aTRPZfC5SxQFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Article Image](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wMS8wNi9vcGluaW9uL2plZmYtZmxha2UtdHJ1bXAtcmVwdWJsaWNhbnMuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD00NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ua18yMDIxMDEwNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yNTcyMiZubD1uaWNob2xhcy1rcmlzdG9mJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD00ODU2MCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKX_aTRPZfC5SxQFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Can Only Republicans Legitimately Win Elections? Trump and many of the G.O.P.’s leaders seem to think so, with ominous consequences for the future. By Jamelle Bouie](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wMS8wNS9vcGluaW9uL3RydW1wLWdlb3JnaWEtc2VuYXRlLWVsZWN0aW9ucy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTQ1JmVtYz1lZGl0X25rXzIwMjEwMTA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI1NzIyJm5sPW5pY2hvbGFzLWtyaXN0b2YmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ4NTYwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf9pNE9l8LlLFAUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [Article Image](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0ToaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMS8wMS8wNS9vcGluaW9uL3RydW1wLWdlb3JnaWEtc2VuYXRlLWVsZWN0aW9ucy5odG1sP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTQ1JmVtYz1lZGl0X25rXzIwMjEwMTA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI1NzIyJm5sPW5pY2hvbGFzLWtyaXN0b2YmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ4NTYwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf9pNE9l8LlLFAUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) [Continue reading the main story](#a11y-skip-3) Need help? Review our [newsletter help page](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TdaHR0cHM6Ly9oZWxwLm55dGltZXMuY29tL2hjL2VuLXVzL2FydGljbGVzLzM2MDAwMTQ4ODI2Ni1OZXdzbGV0dGVycz9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD00NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ua18yMDIxMDEwNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yNTcyMiZubD1uaWNob2xhcy1rcmlzdG9mJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD00ODU2MCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKX_aTRPZfC5SxQFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) or [contact us](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TcaHR0cHM6Ly9oZWxwLm55dGltZXMuY29tL2hjL2VuLXVzL2FydGljbGVzLzExNTAxNTM4NTg4Ny1Db250YWN0LXVzP2NhbXBhaWduX2lkPTQ1JmVtYz1lZGl0X25rXzIwMjEwMTA2Jmluc3RhbmNlX2lkPTI1NzIyJm5sPW5pY2hvbGFzLWtyaXN0b2YmcmVnaV9pZD03NzY3NDk1MiZzZWdtZW50X2lkPTQ4NTYwJnRlPTEmdXNlcl9pZD1hYTQ5MWVmN2YxZDk2NGU0OTc5ZmI3ODRlNzRlMDFkN1cDbnl0Qgpf9pNE9l8LlLFAUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Nicholas Kristof from The New York Times. To stop receiving these emails, [unsubscribe](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TNaHR0cHM6Ly9teWFjY291bnQubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc2VnL3Vuc3Vic2NyaWJlL05LLzBlNzY2ODQzM2NiZGNiYTk2ZDJhYWExMjMwOGUyZGYxM2Y3NTM5NDRjNWFjMDY4MjAxODkxMTFjY2MyODIwZTUwYjdhZWUwYjQ0YThhNmFiN2QwOWUzMWZmMjBmOTBjMj9lbWM9ZWRpdF9ua18yMDIxMDEwNiZubD1uaWNob2xhcy1rcmlzdG9mJnNlbmRfaWQ9NDg1NjAmdGU9MVcDbnl0Qgpf9pNE9l8LlLFAUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW45MEBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAAAA~) or [manage your email preferences](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0S3aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vZW1haWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMTAxMDYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjU3MjImbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDg1NjAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_2k0T2XwuUsUBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~). [Subscribe to The Times](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TPaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc3Vic2NyaXB0aW9uP2NhbXBhaWduSWQ9OVJYNzgmY2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMTAxMDYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjU3MjImbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDg1NjAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_2k0T2XwuUsUBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~)[Get The New York Times app](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TMaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vc2VydmljZXMvbW9iaWxlL2luZGV4Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMTAxMDYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjU3MjImbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDg1NjAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_2k0T2XwuUsUBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) Connect with us on: [facebook](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0S6aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tL2tyaXN0b2Y_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMTAxMDYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjU3MjImbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDg1NjAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_2k0T2XwuUsUBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~) [twitter](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0S5aHR0cHM6Ly90d2l0dGVyLmNvbS9uaWNra3Jpc3RvZj9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD00NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ua18yMDIxMDEwNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yNTcyMiZubD1uaWNob2xhcy1rcmlzdG9mJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD00ODU2MCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKX_aTRPZfC5SxQFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [instagram](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0S_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaW5zdGFncmFtLmNvbS9uaWNra3Jpc3RvZj9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD00NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ua18yMDIxMDEwNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yNTcyMiZubD1uaWNob2xhcy1rcmlzdG9mJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD00ODU2MCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKX_aTRPZfC5SxQFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) [Change Your Email](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TGaHR0cHM6Ly9teWFjY291bnQubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbWVtL2VtYWlsLmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMTAxMDYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjU3MjImbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDg1NjAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_2k0T2XwuUsUBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~)[Privacy Policy](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TnaHR0cDovL3d3dy5ueXRpbWVzLmNvbS9jb250ZW50L2hlbHAvcmlnaHRzL3ByaXZhY3kvcG9saWN5L3ByaXZhY3ktcG9saWN5Lmh0bWw_Y2FtcGFpZ25faWQ9NDUmZW1jPWVkaXRfbmtfMjAyMTAxMDYmaW5zdGFuY2VfaWQ9MjU3MjImbmw9bmljaG9sYXMta3Jpc3RvZiZyZWdpX2lkPTc3Njc0OTUyJnNlZ21lbnRfaWQ9NDg1NjAmdGU9MSZ1c2VyX2lkPWFhNDkxZWY3ZjFkOTY0ZTQ5NzlmYjc4NGU3NGUwMWQ3VwNueXRCCl_2k0T2XwuUsUBSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjkwQGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAAA~~)[Contact Us](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TOaHR0cHM6Ly9teWFjY291bnQubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vbWVtYmVyY2VudGVyL2hlbHAuaHRtbD9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD00NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ua18yMDIxMDEwNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yNTcyMiZubD1uaWNob2xhcy1rcmlzdG9mJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD00ODU2MCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKX_aTRPZfC5SxQFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA)[California Notices](~/AAAAAQA~/RgRh2MmTP0TLaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vcHJpdmFjeS9jYWxpZm9ybmlhLW5vdGljZT9jYW1wYWlnbl9pZD00NSZlbWM9ZWRpdF9ua18yMDIxMDEwNiZpbnN0YW5jZV9pZD0yNTcyMiZubD1uaWNob2xhcy1rcmlzdG9mJnJlZ2lfaWQ9Nzc2NzQ5NTImc2VnbWVudF9pZD00ODU2MCZ0ZT0xJnVzZXJfaWQ9YWE0OTFlZjdmMWQ5NjRlNDk3OWZiNzg0ZTc0ZTAxZDdXA255dEIKX_aTRPZfC5SxQFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luOTBAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAA) The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018