The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer and Pamela Brown

Trump is planning on cutting troops in Afghanistan and Iraq before Biden takes office in January. The United States tops 248,000 Covid deaths with 11.2+ million cases as states announce new restrictions amid a surging pandemic. Pfizer says their vaccine has reached its safety milestone, and the company is preparing to file for emergency use with the FDA. The American Medical Association, and other medical groups call on Trump administration to share Covid information with the Biden transition team. Cedric Richmond is leaving congress to join Biden White House in a senior role. No final decision by Trump campaign on whether they want to go ahead with a Wisconsin recount which could cost nearly $8 million. Sen. Lindsey Graham denies pressuring Georgia’s GOP Secretary of State on recount. Covid-19 hospitalizations hit record high 73,000+. US positivity rate tops 10% for first time since May. South Dakota Governor refuses to mandate masks. Sen. Chuck Grassley has tested positive for coronavirus.

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Donald Trump still refuses to concede and continues to push baseless conspiracy theories about the recent presidential election.

United States President Elect Joe Biden says that President Trump and the GOP are refusing to allow the transition is "more embarrassing than debilitating" to the country. Biden also says that it is a shame "if it has to wait until January 20 to actually become operational... but maybe that's the only way to get it done." Biden is "hopeful" that Trump will be "more enlightened" by inauguration day. 

The United States inches towards 247,000 covid deaths and tops 11 million covid cases. Also, the United States sees its 13th consecutive day of more than 100,000 covid cases. 

Biden says "there's nothing macho about not wearing a mask" while speaking at a public event. He also urges that people limit the number of attendees at Thanksgiving gatherings, with social distancing and masks. Dr. Fauci says "the virus is not going to call a time-out" first. A Trump adviser says that Michigan should "rise up" against covid restrictions after the Michigan governor announced the three week order. 

Sources say that the United States military is anticipating Trump's order to plan for troop withdrawals from Afghanistan and Iraq. 

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CNN projects Biden wins Georgia, now has 306 Electoral College votes to Trump’s 232. Trump repeats false claim of “rigged election” as Biden reached 306 electoral votes. Trump campaign drops legal challenges in Arizona and Pennsylvania. Trump adviser compares President to 1991 Detroit Pistons, says don’t expect handshakes, likely he’ll just walk off the court. Biden aides say he’ll spend weekend on Cabinet picks, not interested in “food fight” with General Services Administration. U.S. coronavirus death toll tops 243,000 with 10.6 million cases as country sees single day record 150,000+ new cases. Key model now projects 438,000 U.S. COVID deaths by March 1st. Trump attacks New York Governor over vaccine distribution plans. Wolf one-on-one with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. CNN: Secret Service officers testing positive for coronavirus.  

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lindsey Graham is among a growing number of GOP senators that say Biden should be getting Presidential daily briefings. Trumps eldest children are split on what his path forward should be. Source says that Trump is feeling “dejected” as more advisers voice doubt about whether his strategy to contest the election will succeed. Meanwhile Biden speaks to world leaders including Pope Francis, and is beginning a push to pass a bipartisan Covid relief package in congress’ lame duck session. U.S. coronavirus death toll tops 242,000 with 10.5 million cases. The U.S. also sees a single day record of 144,000 new cases, with 65,000 hospitalized. 

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sources say President-elect Joe Biden likely to name Chief of Staff soon, cabinet nominees next month. Biden discussing climate change in conversations with world leaders.  

President Donald Trump meets with advisers to discuss path forward as some say privately there’s almost no chance legal challenges will succeed.  

Biden poised to announce White House Chief of Staff as early as Thursday; Ron Klain is leading finalist.  

Wolf one-on-one with Senator Bernie Sanders. Senator Sanders says what Trump is doing is an “outrage.” 

Georgia Secretary of State orders hand recount of ballots. Wolf one-on-one with Georgia Secretary of State.  

United States Coronavirus death toll tops 240,00 with 10.3 million cases; Country sets another single day record for new cases. Officials increasingly worried about virus spread over Thanksgiving.  White House Task Force warns of “continued, accelerating community spread.” 

New CDC Guidance: Masks protect both wearers and those around them.  

To learn more about how CNN protects listener privacy, visit cnn.com/privacy

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices