After spending the past few years worrying that they were presiding over a decaying empire, the architects of American power woke up the morning of November 9, 2016 and realized their latest nightmare had become a reality.

Donald Trump — in their estimation, a loose cannon who could accelerate the unraveling of the global order that the US has led and managed since World War II — would be the next president. The same man who accused allies of taking advantage of the US, praised rivals for their strong leadership, and repeatedly condemned longstanding pillars of US diplomacy would be directing the American empire.

On Election Day, Washington insider Daniel Serwer spoke for the establishment when he excoriated Trump as “erratic, inconsistent, and hyperbolic.” Only Hillary Clinton, with her “long track record well within the post-9/11 foreign policy consensus,” was properly qualified to “restore American authority,” he said.