A surprise congressional standoff remind us that big, discordant change could be coming.

© Philotheus Nisch for The New York Times

A surprise congressional standoff remind us that big, discordant changes could be coming.

“‘Nothing nefarious, apparently’ doesn’t exactly inspire confidence,” Stephen Colbert said of President Biden’s comments about mysterious drones seen over New Jersey.

Yes, people want justice — as long as justice costs them nothing or very little.

Americans have counted on the indispensability of a constitutionally alert military. Will that continue?

The onslaught of awful makes bad look good.

Hegseth, too, wants to fight the “enemy within.”

Only a handful of Republicans are needed to stand up for the Senate’s right to advise and consent on nominations.

Readers discuss what one calls a “boom-or-bust precipitation cycle.” Also: Pete Hegseth’s mother’s accusation; what opera needs; Elon Musk and Mars.

President-elect Donald J. Trump is assembling a team of aides bent on confrontation with China. But he also has advisers who do business there, including Elon Musk.