Biden names Antony Blinken as Secretary of State; Trump campaign drops lawyers who pushed conspiracies; Biden nominees include first immigrant as Homeland Security secretary & first woman to lead intel community; Trump’s “election defense” donations also go to his leadership PAC; Millions travel for Thanksgiving amid Covid-19 surge; Doctor: n95 masks are still in short supply; NJ Gov: GSA chief’s failure to recognize Biden’s win poses “devastating impacts” in New Jersey

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Biden announces his first cabinet picks, names top members of foreign policy and national security team; Astrazeneca: vaccine shows 70% “average efficacy”; Michigan State board votes to certify Biden’

CNN's lead DC anchor and chief Washington correspondent, Jake Tapper, hosts this two-hour long weekday afternoon program, with headlines from around the country and the world, the top stories in national and international news, politics, health, money, the environment, sports and popular culture. The Lead also concentrates on bringing stories that aren't found on front pages—buried leads—to the forefront.

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Protests are underway across United States colleges and universities after weeks of tension over the Israel-Hamas war. Our reporters report live from campuses where protests continue. House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks at Columbia University amid the protests. 
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Tense Protests Rock major U.S. Colleges Over Israel-Hamas War

Former tabloid publisher David Pecker is under oath and on the record revealing just how far Donald Trump went allegedly to protect his 2016 presidential campaign. But, when it comes to whether Trump committed a felony in the process, how damaging was today’s testimony? Plus, what Pecker said went down in the room in the infamous meeting in August of 2015 that could hurt Donald Trump’s case nearly nine years later. 
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Pecker: Trump, Cohen asked me how I could “help the campaign”

The prosecution and defense sparred in opening statements during Donald Trump's hush money scheme. Did Trump violate a gag order? Crisis on college campuses; are Jewish students safe at School? Calls increase for Columbia University's President to resign over handling of antisemitism. Plus, the Supreme Court is set to decide if cities can punish people who are homeless, and a U.S. animation studio's work has been found on a North Korean server.
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The First Witness Takes the Stand in Trump Hush Money Case

A horrific scene outside of Trump’s New York City courthouse after a man lit himself on fire while inside the courthouse there was a major development in the hush money trial. How long can the prosecution hold out and keep its witness list outside of the hands of Donald Trump and his defense team? Also, in an extraordinary move, some 165 House Democrats came to the aid of Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson, drawing the ire of hard-line Republicans. 
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Full jury panel selected for Trump trial

The shocking actions that leads to two jurors in the Trump hush money case suddenly being dismissed in an unusual occurrence. Plus, name calling and fresh threats for House Speaker Mike Johnson by hard-right Republicans demanding he keep his hands off the rule which, as of now, allows just one member of Congress to force a vote to remove him as speaker. 
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Biden announces his first cabinet picks, names top members of foreign policy and national security team; Astrazeneca: vaccine shows 70% “average efficacy”; Michigan State board votes to certify Biden’

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