Trump's New Ally: Democrats?

As they survey the shattered landscape of American politics, Democrats looking for the way forward have realized something: Donald Trump is closer to their party than to traditional Republicans on issues including infrastructure spending and paid maternity leave. The New York Times reports that after last week's defeat, Democrats face "a profound decision" on whether to work with Trump on issues where they have common ground—and try to win back working-class white voters in the process—or do all they can to block him in the hope of winning back the House in 2018. Congressional Republicans are already preparing initiatives that align with some Trump promises. In other coverage:

• The AP reports that a spokesman for Trump's transition team says officials joining the new administration will be required to quit any lobbying roles—and they will have to pledge that they won't return to lobbying the government for five years after leaving government.

• The Washington Post takes a look at the different associates and factions jostling for influence as Trump assembles his team. Art of the Deal ghostwriter Tony Schwartz says things are following a familiar pattern: "Trump sees himself as the straw that stirs the drink," he says. "He has almost no interest in the details of how things happen, but he has an intense interest in being the decision-maker."
• Politico looks ahead to the 2018 midterms and finds that the Senate map is a brutal one for Democrats. Winning back the chamber could be almost impossible for the party, and there is a real chance that the Republicans could end up with a filibuster-proof majority.
• The Guardian reports that the president-elect appears to be feuding with the media again—especially the New York Times. In tweets early Wednesday, Trump denied reports of chaos in the transition team and failure to speak to foreign leaders, saying he has taken calls from many of them and the Times is "just upset that they looked like fools in their coverage of me."
• The Los Angeles Times reports that Trump met with New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio on Wednesday. The mayor, one of Trump's fiercest critics, told reporters afterward that he let him know "more had to be done to show that this country can heal, that people be respected" and warned that the city would not cooperate with plans to deport immigrants.

(More Donald Trump stories.)