The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown

President-elect Joe Biden declared quote "America is Back," as he formally introduced his key cabinet picks on Tuesday in Wilmington, Delaware. Biden said his appointees and nominees are a team that reflects "America is back and ready to lead the world."

The White House has signed off on Biden to start receiving presidential daily intelligence briefings, White House officials say. The move is a step towards a transition of power held up by President Donald Trump, weeks after it was clear he lost the election. The General Services Administration issued a formal notice that released funds so the formal transition of government can proceed.

The coronavirus is taking more American lives. Tuesday, the number of deaths surpassed 250,000, with the overall cases hitting 12.5 million. Hospitalizations have also hit the highest levels since the pandemic began in January.

President Trump made a rare post-election appearance on Tuesday. He took credit for the stock market gains at a White House Briefing; despite saying previously the market would crash if Joe Biden won the election. He later went on to pardon a Thanksgiving turkey at the White House. During the annual tradition, he thanked first responders for their fight against Covid-19.

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Michigan board votes to certify election results despite pressure from President Trump. The U.S. Coronavirus death toll tops 257,000 with 12.3 million cases. Biden picks first latino to lead the Department of Homeland Security, and the first woman to head the intel community. Biden's chief of staff says the impact of Trump blocking transition is escalating. GOP support for Trump effort to overturn the election is crumbling. Pennsylvania Supreme Court rejects the Trump campaign's effort to block counting certain absentee ballots. Millions traveling for holiday despite urgent CDC warning. U.S. sees 500,000+ new cases in just three days. U.S. average daily death toll climbs to 1,500+. Astrazeneca says early data show vaccine is about 70% effective.

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President-elect Biden meets with Democratic leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer as President Trump continues to block the transition process. Meanwhile, in Washington, Trump meets with GOP leaders as he continues his effort to subvert the election results. 

President Trump's oldest son, Donald Trump Jr., tests positive for COVID-19.

In COVID news, the U.S. sees 187,000 new cases in a single day. The death toll tops 253,000 as the virus rages at a record-breaking pace. 

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Biden says that Trump’s election claims show incredible irresponsibility, “are damaging” and send a “horrible message”. Trump intensifies his fight to undo the will of voters, inviting Michigan lawmakers to White House as his lawyers spew lies. The CDC recommends against Thanksgiving travel as cases surge across the country. The U.S. tops 251,000 Covid deaths, 11.6 million cases. Fired DHS Cyber Chief, Chris Krebbs, calls Giuliani news conference “the most dangerous 1hr 45min of tv in American history". Wolf goes one on one with incoming White House Chief of Staff, Ron Klain. The CDC forecasts up to 298,000 U.S. Covid-19 deaths by December 12. New data from the Astrazeneca vaccine shows that it provides strong immune response in older adults.

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Biden holds virtual talks with frontline health care workers. Biden warns COVID-19 response could be behind “by weeks or months” as Trump blocks transition. Trump bunkered in White House attacking the election and democracy with false claims and firings. Lingering divide among Senate Republicans on whether Biden transition process should begin. Representative Adam Schiff: Trump is “dragging down our democracy.” New York City public schools to close tomorrow until further notice. Pfizer: Coronavirus vaccine 95% effective; will be submitted for Federal Drug Administration authorization Friday. How a bloody night of bullets and brutality quashed a young protest movement.  

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