On Election Night in November, I didn’t imagine this future was possible. I came around to it being possible earlier than some, but tonight I give all of my thanks to those who never gave up and to those on the ground and on the phones (and the Zooms) who made it happen.

Sadly, though, I also do so tonight with people invading my city — at the president’s direction — to further his causes of chaos and undermining if not destroying democracy. They will fail, but they have laid bare a festering sickness in our democracy that must be addressed.

I do so tonight as countless Americans — in my city of DC and far beyond — face dual public health and economic crises that have been mismanaged to the detriment of our most vulnerable neighbors for the past year. It’s sickening to think about, and yet we must.

These crises — of our democracy, public health, and economy — all will remain front and center as the new Biden/Harris administration and the Democratic House and Senate begin their work. They must show themselves to be up to the task. They must face these crises and act boldly.

As I did many times in the Obama era, and on a different and surreal level in the Trump era, I look forward to seeking accountability from our elected officials. I also look forward to making certain that change is being made to improve the lives of people who actually need it.

For now, sleep. ... Night, all, and let us try to be good to one another — and ourselves.