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Democracy Dies in Darkness

The morning's most important stories, selected by Post editors

State of the Union

Trump tries to strike conciliatory note after a combative first year

While the president touted accomplishments and claimed his inaugural year had ushered in an ebullient "new American moment," he made no mention of the ongoing investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 election hanging over his administration and fueling a great divide between Republicans and Democrats that was on stark display in the Capitol during his speech.

By Karen Tumulty and Philip Rucker • Read more »

The Fix | Analysis

Winners and losers from the State of the Union

It was a good night for strength metaphors, but not such a good night for facts. Here are some of the big takeaways.

By Aaron Blake • Read more »

Fact Checker | Analysis

Speech used soaring rhetoric — and many dubious facts and figures

Here's a roundup of 18 of the president's most dubious claims made during the address.

By Glenn Kessler, Salvador Rizzo and Meg Kelly • Read more »

On his best behavior: How Trump alters his tone to suit the occasion

For the State of the Union and other formal events, President Trump's language, while still far simpler and blunter than most of his predecessors', is a far cry from his biting, sometimes sniping, voice on Twitter or the raw populism he uses to win cheers at rallies.

By Marc Fisher • Read more »

The Take | Analysis

A call for unity comes amid a backdrop of controversy and division

President Trump appealed for "common ground," but controversies of his own making continue to define his administration.

By Dan Balz • Read more »

Perspective: At the Capitol, fashion puts women on mute

Lawmakers use brooches, stoles and basic black to deliver their message. None of it worked.

By Robin Givhan • Read more »

Democrats to Trump: Not good enough

In speeches, the opposition decries a 'rigged' economy and a crackdown on immigrants.

By David Weigel • Read more »

The incredible story of the North Korean escapee

Ji Seong-ho hobbled out of North Korea on crutches after losing an arm and a leg during the famine. He brandished those crutches in the Capitol.

By Anna Fifield • Read more »

Opinions

A misleading State of the Union

By Editorial Board • Read more »

A uniquely depressing speech

By Dana Milbank • Read more »

Victor Cha: Giving North Korea a 'bloody nose' carries a huge risk to Americans

By Victor Cha • Read more »

Trump's State of the Union: A diatribe against immigrants

By Jennifer Rubin • Read more »

Instead of seeking 'common ground,' Trump gives a flabby, divisive speech

By E.J. Dionne Jr. • Read more »

The State of the Union address was an 8.5

By Ed Rogers • Read more »

More News

Justice Dept. probes McCabe's role in final weeks of 2016 election

A key question of the internal investigation is whether then-No. 2 FBI official Andrew McCabe or anyone else at the agency wanted to avoid taking action on the laptop findings until after the Nov. 8 election, according to three people familiar with the matter. It's unclear whether the inspector general has reached any conclusions on that point.

By Devlin Barrett and Karoun Demirjian • Read more »

Stormy Daniels to Jimmy Kimmel: It 'doesn't look like my signature' on Trump statement

During the appearance on Kimmel's show, the porn star was cagey, at one point casting doubt on the signature on a statement released hours before the show that denied she had an affair with the president.

By Emily Heil • Read more »

Clinton says she regrets not firing aide accused of sexual harassment during 2008 campaign

Hillary Clinton's Facebook post sought to explain her decision to deliver a less severe punishment to Burns Strider, who was her faith adviser, despite a recommendation from her campaign manager that Strider be fired.

By John Wagner • Read more »

Kirk Cousins's tenure in Washington comes to an unofficial end with trade for Chiefs' Alex Smith

The deal for Smith means that Cousins, who had shown no interest in striking a long-term deal with the Redskins, will get what he has long sought: a chance to test his value on the NFL's free-agent market.

By Mark Maske • Read more »

Tens of thousands in Texas border enclaves live without water or power

People frustrated by the lack of services in the unincorporated towns should move, critics say. But residents refuse to leave their land after years of trying to make it work.

By Maria Sacchetti • Read more »

Air Force suspends sergeant who ranted about her black subordinates

Tech. Sgt. Geraldine Lovely was suspended from her leadership role after she posted a video of her tirade on social media. The Nellis Air Force Base called her actions "inappropriate and unacceptable."

By Marwa Eltagouri • Read more »

They returned from vacation with itchy feet. Hookworms were tunneling through their skin.

A Canadian couple's stroll on a Caribbean beach led to a gut-churning travel nightmare of larvae that bored into their skin and started eating their way through their flesh.

By Cleve R. Wootson Jr. • Read more »