Good Thursday morning. Here are some of the stories making news in Washington and politics today.

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• President Trump forced out Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Wednesday, ending a partnership that soured almost from the start, in part because of Mr. Sessions’s recusal from the Russia inquiry. Mr. Trump tapped Matthew Whitaker, Mr. Sessions’s chief of staff, as acting attorney general.

• The move raised immediate questions about how the special counsel’s Russia inquiry would be affected. Here’s what the shake-up means.

• Mr. Trump offered to work with the Democrats who gained control of the House, but threatened to retaliate if they use their new power to investigate him.

• A cascade of contradictory verdicts in the midterm elections added up to a portrait of a nation at odds with itself. Here’s what the results tell us.

• Despite warnings from within the G.O.P., Republicans’ lack of unity and grip on messaging contributed to their loss of House control. Here’s more on how it happened.

• Democrats plan to use their first month in the House majority to advance sweeping changes to future campaign and ethics laws, infrastructure and medical legislation. Read about their agenda.

• Republicans’ gains in the Senate and governors’ races have big implications for the courts and social issues like abortion.

• A number of lawmakers from both parties announced their intention to seek House leadership roles. Here’s a look at some of them.

• Nancy Pelosi got an early, if unusual, endorsement from Mr. Trump in her bid to reclaim her title as House speaker. Read more on the president’s surprising support.

• Ms. Pelosi and the new Democratic majority face conflicting pressures to serve as a check on Mr. Trump but not alienate voters by overreaching. Here’s why they must tread carefully.

• Election Day may be over, but the outcomes of some races remain in doubt. Here’s a guide to where they stand.

• Mr. Trump said he would not meet with President Vladimir Putin of Russia this weekend. After weeks of conflicting reports on the on-again, off-again plans, Mr. Trump says they will meet instead in Buenos Aires later in the month.

• Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has made little headway with North Korea in finalizing a second summit meeting between Mr. Trump and Kim Jong-un. Here’s why.

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Today’s On Politics briefing was compiled by Margaret Kramer in New York.

Check back later for On Politics With Lisa Lerer, a nightly newsletter exploring the people, issues and ideas reshaping the political world.

Is there anything you think we’re missing? Anything you want to see more of? We’d love to hear from you. Email us at [email protected].

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