The latest on Biden’s transition

More than 100 House Republicans have signed on to an amicus brief related to an application from Texas to the Supreme Court asking for an emergency order to invalidate the ballots of millions of voters in four battleground states that Joe Biden won.

Two notable Republican leaders on the list are House Minority Whip Steve Scalise and Republican Policy Committee Chairman Gary Palmer.

Names notably absent from the brief include House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy, Republican Conference Chair Rep. Liz Cheney, and Rep. Doug Collins, a Trump ally and Freedom Caucus member.

However, the following GOP House members from the four states being sued by Texas, whose own elections could be thrown into question in the unlikely event the suit is successful, have signed on to the amicus brief:

Georgia 

Michigan 

Pennsylvania 

Wisconsin 

Robert Redfield speaks during a White House Coronavirus Task Force press briefing at the White House on November 19 in Washington.

Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said he has called to congratulate infectious disease expert Dr. Rochelle Walensky, who President-elect Joe Biden selected to lead the public health agency.

Redfield said he “had a chance to give her a call and congratulated her.” 

Additionally, Redfield suggested that “the American public should have confidence in this transition.” 

“My advice, you know, to her will continue as she asks me. We’re here to help her succeed, and I’m sure she will. She’s going to be leading what’s really a group of extraordinary individuals,” Redfield said.

The attorneys general of Georgia and Wisconsin joined Pennsylvania and Michigan in a strong rebuke of a Texas lawsuit seeking to overturn President Trump’s defeat in the election.

Georgia’s Attorney General Christopher Carr put more emphasis than the others on the federalism implications of Texas’ lawsuit. 

Wisconsin’s Attorney General Joshua Kaul said that the Texas bid represents an “extraordinary intrusion into Wisconsin’s and the other defendant States’ elections, a task that the Constitution leaves to each State.” 

“And in any case, there is another forum in which parties who (unlike Texas) have standing can challenge Georgia’s compliance with its own election laws: Georgia’s own courts,” he wrote. 

President-elect Joe Biden’s goal is to have his remaining Cabinet selections announced before Christmas, a transition official tells CNN, with no plans of delaying any decisions until the outcome of the Georgia runoffs determines control of the Senate.

This, of course, is contingent on Biden making up his mind and not delaying decisions, as he hears criticism and suggestions from outside supporters and advocates.

Several announcements are expected next week. CIA director is expected to be at the beginning of the week, with others grouped together later.

The timing of the attorney general announcement remains unclear, with sources offering conflicting indications of when it could happen.

A separate source today insists Biden has yet to reach a final decision, but others believe he has. But we do know the four finalists are Doug Jones, Merrick Garland, Sally Yates, Deval Patrick, with Jones and Garland seen as the top two options.

Pennsylvania filed a blistering brief at the Supreme Court Thursday opposing an attempt by Texas’s attorney general—supported by President Trump—to block millions of votes in four battleground states that went in favor of President-elect Joe Biden. 

Pennsylvania’s Attorney General Josh Shapiro said the lawsuit is “legally indefensible and is an afront to principles of constitutional democracy.”

“Texas has not suffered harm simply be-cause it dislikes the result of the election, and nothing in the text, history, or structure of the Constitution supports Texas’s view that it can dictate the manner in which four other states run their elections. Nor is that view grounded in any precedent from this Court. Texas does not seek to have the Court interpret the Constitution, so much as disregard it,” he continued.

More on the Texas lawsuit: Although all 50 states have certified their election results and the Supreme Court swiftly rejected an emergency request from Pennsylvania Republicans to block election results in the commonwealth, the justices are now grappling with a new controversial bid from Texas, supported by President Trump and 17 other Republican-led states.

They are asking the Supreme Court for an emergency order to invalidate the ballots of millions of voters in four battleground states — Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania — even though there is no evidence of widespread fraud.

A member of the White House cleaning staff sanitizes the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room on October 5, 2020.

When the White House welcomes a new first family it gets a thorough cleaning in the five hours allotted for the turnover. But with a global pandemic raging — and an outgoing President whose orbit is rife with people shunning public health guidelines and coming down with Covid-19 — this Jan. 20 is expected to include a deeper, more exhaustive cleaning, according to a White House official.

It’s one of many changes expected around how the White House operates when President-elect Joe Biden takes over. His campaign has diligently modeled public health guidelines with mask wearing and social distancing even as he campaigned against outgoing President Trump, who instead held large rallies packed with people, many of whom did not wear masks.

While there are not “firm plans” for execution, the agency in charge of things, the General Services Administration, is handling what will be a “thorough disinfecting and cleansing” of every surface in the 55,000 square foot mansion.

Here’s what else to expect:

In November, after at least two outbreaks of Covid-19 occurred in the White House, one affecting the first family, GSA contracted a company to regularly “mist” disinfectant cleaner throughout the interior.

Press have witnessed some of the current cleaning, which involve staff in full hazmat-looking suits misting widely used areas such as the briefing room.

These misters are now a frequent and welcome presence to those who work in the building, as science has determined the highly contagious coronavirus can linger on surfaces, as well as be passed through air.

The misters and the cleaners will have to tackle the White House’s 132 rooms, which consist of 16 bedrooms, 35 bathrooms, six levels of the residence, 412 doors, 147 windows, 28 fireplaces, 8 staircases and at least three elevators.

Republican Sen. Rand Paul told CNN he is not ruling out joining a member of the House to object and challenge election results on Jan. 6 when Congress meets in a joint session to accept the votes of the Electoral College.

Under the rules, any House member can join a senator to raise objection to a state’s electoral college results. Doing so would spark debate and votes. The expectation isn’t that anyone could overturn the results of the election, but it would be a political spectacle.

House conservatives have said they plan to mount an objection on the House floor, but it’s unclear if a senator would join the effort. Both Paul and GOP Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin have left that option open. 

President-elect Joe Biden on Thursday announced a slate of new Cabinet nominees and picks for top roles in his administration.

Here’s who he announced:

All of Biden’s picks except Rice will require confirmation by the United States Senate to serve in their roles.

Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris are expected to introduce these key administration members at an event on Friday in Wilmington, Delaware, the transition team said. CNN had previously reported all of these administration picks.

The picks reflect how Biden is turning to longtime advisers and experts in their respective fields for top posts in his administration. Many have close ties with Biden and developed relationships with the President-elect while working in the Obama administration.

Here’s who else Biden has picked so far for his Cabinet.

Douglas Emhoff, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ husband, will become a member of Georgetown University’s faculty in January, according to a release from the law school.

He will serve as a Distinguished Visitor from Practice, teaching related coursework starting with “Entertainment Law Disputes” in the upcoming spring semester. A two credit course, according to the transition.

He will also serve as a Distinguished Fellow of Georgetown Law’s Institute for Technology Law and Policy, as part of a new entertainment and media law initiative that will include a speaker series and other projects, the release added.

The transition added that the role will be “separate and apart” from his role as second gentleman, and Emhoff will continue to work with the Biden-Harris transition team to develop the portfolio he will focus on to support the work of the incoming administration.

Rep. Kay Granger speaks during a news conference on July 21.

Rep. Kay Granger, a veteran Texas Republican, said Thursday she is not supportive of her state’s lawsuit challenging the presidential election results in key battleground states, joining her state’s senior GOP senator who expressed skepticism over the effort.

Asked to elaborate, Granger said, “I don’t think it’s going to go anywhere, and … it’s a distraction.”

Granger joins Texas Sen. John Cornyn who was deeply skeptical about the lawsuit when asked about it by CNN Wednesday night.

“I frankly struggle to understand the legal theory of it,” Cornyn said, adding he’s “not convinced” one state can sue to stop other states’ election results.

The lawsuit has split the delegation as Texas Sen. Ted Cruz told President Trump he would argue the case if the Supreme Court decides to hear it.

Granger has been uneasy about Trump’s efforts to overturn the election, telling CNN last month: “I have great concerns about it,” she said. “I think that it’s time to move on.”

More on the lawsuit: Although all 50 states have certified their election results and the Supreme Court swiftly rejected an emergency request from Pennsylvania Republicans to block election results in the commonwealth, the justices are now grappling with a new controversial bid from Texas, supported by Trump and 17 other Republican-led states.

They are asking the Supreme Court for an emergency order to invalidate the ballots of millions of voters in four battleground states — Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania — even though there is no evidence of widespread fraud.

The US Supreme Court building is seen on December 7.

Although all 50 states have certified their election results and the Supreme Court swiftly rejected an emergency request from Pennsylvania Republicans to block election results in the commonwealth, the justices are now grappling with a new controversial bid from Texas, supported by President Trump and 17 other Republican-led states.

They are asking the Supreme Court for an emergency order to invalidate the ballots of millions of voters in four battleground states — Georgia, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania — even though there is no evidence of widespread fraud.

Critics of the President and his allies say the case reflects an audacious and legally dubious gambit to keep the lawsuits flowing in order to prolong baseless claims that President-elect Joe Biden’s victory was somehow illegitimate.

Here’s what you need to know:

Read more here.

Then-Vice President Joe Biden and then-National Security Advisor Susan Rice speak together during a press briefing in the Oval Office of the White House in 2015.

President-elect Joe Biden will tap former National Security Adviser Susan Rice to lead the White House Domestic Policy Council, according to two sources familiar with the decision.

Politico was the first to report the decision.

Denis McDonough speaks during the 2018 Concordia Annual Summit in New York.

President-elect Joe Biden is poised to tap Denis McDonough to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, a person familiar with the decision says, adding a longtime chief of staff to former President Barack Obama to his new Cabinet. 

It’s the latest example of how Biden is turning to a trusted set of advisers to surround him in his new administration.

As VA Secretary, McDonough would be inheriting one of the most challenging agencies in the government, so Biden was looking “for a seasoned hand, who knows the government well,” a person familiar with the decision says.

Several veterans groups were hoping Biden would chose a veteran of the Iraq or Afghanistan wars. McDonough did not serve in the military, but rather has long experience navigating bureaucracies on Capitol Hill and the White House.

McDonough, a native of Minnesota who served as the chief of staff during Obama’s entire second term, also worked as deputy national security adviser. He developed a close relationship with Vice President Biden during both positions.

He is a devout Catholic, a bond he also shares with Biden.

The announcement of McDonough is forthcoming. He could join other prospective Cabinet nominees on Friday in Wilmington, but timing is still not confirmed.

Politico was first to report the McDonough selection.

Joe Biden waves to supporters as he finishes speaking during a drive-in campaign rally in Atlanta on October 27.

President-elect Joe Biden will travel to Atlanta next Tuesday, Dec. 15 to campaign for Democratic Senate candidates Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock ahead of the crucial Jan. 5 runoffs that will determine which party controls the Senate.

Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler — the Republican candidates in the Georgia runoff campaign — have enjoyed the benefit of high profile surrogates making non-stop regular appearances since almost the beginning of the campaign.

In addition to President Trump’s visit last Saturday and a promise to return, the GOP ticket has also benefited from Vice President Mike Pence who has already made one trip and will be back in the Peach State today. Trump and Pence join a long list of prominent Republicans who have come to Georgia.  

The Democratic approach to surrogates has been much different. In general, the campaigns of Democratic candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock have taken much greater pains to prevent the spread of coronavirus than their Republican counterparts which limits the value of surrogates to travel to the state.

Democrats have been taking advantage of virtual campaign tactics. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Elizabeth Warren both held virtual fundraisers to support the Georgia campaigns. 

President Barack Obama held a virtual rally with the two candidates. The campaign says it was watched by more than a half a million people and led to the recruitment of 14,000 volunteers.

President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team will meet with Operation Warp Speed today and Friday, a transition official says. The official would not detail who would participate in these meetings from the Biden side.

The meetings come after the president-elect last week said he has not seen a “detailed plan” from the Trump administration about how a vaccine would be distributed to people.

Asked whether President-elect Biden would consider using the Defense Production Act to acquire vaccines if needed, a transition official punted, saying “We are continuing to work with the Operation Warp Speed team and our focus will be ensuring safe and effective vaccines are available to all Americans and around the world, and we’ll likely have additional details to share in the coming weeks and months.”

The US FDA has not yet approved a coronavirus vaccine. The FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee is meeting today to discuss Pfizer’s application for an emergency use authorization for its coronavirus vaccine.

The US meanwhile continues to break grim records. December has already proved devastating. Wednesday recorded more than 3,100 Covid-19 deaths — the highest daily death toll ever since the pandemic’s start, beating a record set just days ago.

As President-elect Joe Biden formally introduced his defense secretary nominee Wednesday, the role of attorney general remains the biggest outstanding position in the Cabinet yet to be named.

Three leading contenders for the post are: Sen. Doug Jones, Judge Merrick Garland and Sally Yates, people familiar with the matter say, after Jeh Johnson informed allies late Tuesday he would not be serving in the Biden administration.

Here are key things to know about the contenders:

CNN has previously reported that Lisa Monaco, a former Homeland Security adviser in the Obama White House who worked closely with Biden on his vice presidential search, is also under consideration for the attorney general post. Deval Patrick, the former Massachusetts governor and former civil rights chief at the Justice Department, was also being considered.

A Biden transition official said a decision had not yet been made and a formal announcement is not expected this week.

Read more here.

President-elect Joe Biden speaks during a cabinet announcement event in Wilmington, Delaware, on November 24.

President-elect Joe Biden has moved swiftly to build out his administration since his election last month, and has named several people to top roles in his Cabinet and other key posts.

Several of Biden’s picks would make history if confirmed by the United States Senate as the first woman or person of color to serve in their role. Many also have decades of experience in their field and served in President Barack Obama’s administration.

Here are key things to know about some of Biden’s nominees, who will all need Senate confirmation:

Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Defense

Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Health and Human Services

Janet Yellen, Treasury Secretary

Read more about the other nominees here.