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Source: Expect A "Flurry" Of Pardons As White House Dodges Questions About Pardons For Giuliani, Members Of First Family; NAACP Seeks Meeting With Biden & Harris On Ensuring Minority And Civil Rights Representation In New Admin; Interview With Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY); Pelosi & Schumer: Bipartisan Senate COVID Relief Bill Should Serve As "Framework" For Compromise Talks; Forty Million Vaccine Doses To Be Available By The End Of December; CDC Director: U.S. Could Be Close To 450,000 COVID-19 Deaths Before February. Aired 5-6p ET

Aired December 02, 2020 - 17:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(MUSIC)

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN HOST: Welcome to our viewers here in the United States and around the world. I'm Wolf Blitzer in THE SITUATION ROOM.

We are following breaking news.

[17:00:00]

President Trump only moments ago releasing a rather rambling 45-minute video ranting about election fraud and repeating the same lies and the same false claims that have been rejected by lots of courts and state officials, state election officials, I should say, from both parties across the United States. The video comes one day after his Attorney General William Barr broke with the President publicly saying there's no evidence of widespread fraud in the election.

There's also breaking transmission news we're following, President- elect Joe Biden meeting up with workers and small business owners impacted by the pandemic and urging Congress to pass a stimulus package.

Meanwhile, CNN has learned that a top contender to lead the Biden's Department of Health and Human Services is the New Mexico Governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham.

We're also following breaking pandemic news. The strongest warning yet from the head of the CDC, who says the next three months here in the United States will be and I'm quoting now, "the most difficult time in the public health history of the nation."

But in a hopeful sign the U.K. has just become the first country to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. And the first doses are expected to be rolled out in that country next week.

Let's get straight to the White House right now. Our Chief White House Correspondent Jim Acosta is on the scene for us.

Jim, you're getting new information from your sources, update our viewers.

JIM ACOSTA, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Wolf, the source close to the White House said the public should expect a, "flurry" of pardons as Mr. Trump nears the end of his time in office. This source also said some of the President's advisors believe that it would be perfectly fine for the President to pardon his family members preemptively even though they haven't been charged with any crimes.

The source went on to say some of the President's advisors believe that Mr. Trump could legally pardon himself something that's been disputed by constitutional scholars.

Now as for the election you just mentioned, White House officials aren't exactly giving Attorney General William Barr a ringing endorsement this evening one day after he broke with the President and said the Justice Department could not find any evidence of widespread voter fraud.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

ACOSTA (voice-over): Steering clear of reporters but surfacing at White House holiday parties, the President may have found a new official to put on the naughty list. Attorney General William Barr, Mr. Trump appear to be ignoring his own Justice Department's assessment that there was no widespread fraud and the election.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I called it a rigged election and I always will.

ACOSTA: Asked about Barr's comments pushing back on Mr. Trump's false conspiracy theories about a rigged election, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany stopped short of saying the President still has confidence in the Attorney General.

KAYLEIGH MCENANY, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: The President if he has any personnel announcements, we'll be the first to know it.

ACOSTA: McEnany suggested that Barr didn't have all the facts before referring the matter to the Trump campaign. Yes, the same campaign she's represented as an advisor on conservative media.

MCENANY: The Attorney General was speaking to what has come before his desk. And again, I point you to the campaign for specific questions on this.

ACOSTA: That was hardly the only dodge of the day on reports from CNN and other news outlets that the President and his advisors have discussed pardons for members of the First Family, close associates like Rudy Giuliani and Mr. Trump himself. McEnany sidestep that matter as well.

MCENANY: I've heard no mention of any pardons in any conversations I've had in the White House. ACOSTA: Democrats say it's time for GOP leaders to stand up to the President.

SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER, (D) MINORITY LEADER: No Mr. President, that would be a gross abuse of the presidential pardon authority. But I have a more important question. Just how long are our Republican colleagues going to indulge the President in this nonsense?

ACOSTA: As for the Justice Department recently disclosed investigation into a potential presidential pardon bribery scheme, Mr. Trump tweeted that the probe is fake news.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Has anybody at the White House been questioned by federal law enforcement officials regarding potential bribes for fun?

MCENANY: No. And in fact, the DOJ official said yesterday that no government official was or is currently a subject or target of the investigation.

ACOSTA: White House officials also declined to explicitly condemn recent threats against election officials in Georgia, contradicted Mr. Trump's bogus claims.

GABRIEL STERLING, GEORGIA VOTING SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION MANAGER: Someone's going to get hurt, someone's going to get shot, someone's going to get killed, and it's not right.

When they call for us to resign and the senator, I'm sorry, the President called the Brad Raffensperger, who was a fine upstanding, lifelong Republican, an enemy of the people, that helped open the floodgates to this kind of crap.

ACOSTA: McEnany's response to that.

MCENANY: We condemn any threats against anyone. There's no place for violence.

ACOSTA: White House was also asked about the possibility that the President could announce he's running in 2024 around Joe Biden's inauguration, an idea discussed by some Trump advisors. Mr. Trump hinted at that two party goers.

TRUMP: It's been an amazing four years. We are trying to do another four years. Otherwise, I'll see you in four years.

ACOSTA: McEnany said she's out of the loop on that subject too.

[17:05:00]

MCENANY: I've not heard any discussions of that.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

ACOSTA: Now short while ago the President released what is essentially a propaganda video on Facebook repeating some of the same lies he and his team have told about the election results since November 3. We are not showing you any excerpts from that video because the allegations made by the President have been rejected in the courts as well as by state election officials from both parties, not to mention his own attorney general. The video we should mention, it looks like it was produced here on the White House grounds, but that was away from the press, Wolf. Journalists were not in the room when the President recorded that video. Wolf.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

BLITZER: I want you to stand by Jim, I'm going to get back to you. But I want to get the latest right now in the Biden transition.

We're in developments unfolding. Our senior Washington correspondent Jeff Zeleny is covering the President-elect for us.

Jeff, right now the President-elect, he's focused again on the pandemic's impact. I take it on small businesses around the country.

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, President- elect Biden was listening to the stories today of employees out of work and small business owners short on customers all being squeezed by the pandemic and the recession. All of its coming as Washington's doing nothing. The President-elect said it's time for Washington to act.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

ZELENY (voice-over): President-elect Joe Biden is urging Congress tonight to offer immediate relief to Americans struggling with economic pain from the deepening pandemic.

JOE BIDEN, (D) PRESIDENT-ELECT: My hope is that we'll be able to help in a short order. But that depends a lot on our friends in Congress.

ZELENY: A day after naming his economic team, Biden listening to the stories of workers and small business owners being crushed by hardship.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The unemployment helped so much. And we had the extra money. Who wants extra money down here and there?

ZELENY: Tonight, Biden is also focusing on building out his cabinet with the Department of Health and Human Services coming into sharper focus. CNN has learned New Mexico governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is a leading contender for HHS Secretary, a pivotal role at the center of the coronavirus fight in the vaccine distribution.

GOV. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM, (D) NEW MEXICO: While I'm incredibly honored and flattered that my colleagues can see the work that I'm doing on the ground and know that I've got 40 years in comprehensive health care experience. I'm focused on making sure that I'm saving the Mexico lives.

ZELENY: Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo has also interviewed for the post CNN has learned, a sign that Biden is looking for governors on the front lines of the pandemic. But Biden is under pressure tonight to make good on his pledge to build a diverse cabinet.

In a letter obtained by CNN, more than 30 Hispanic lawmakers in Congress are urging him to consider Lujan Grisham for the post saying, "She has the vision and drive to see through large projects and effectively lead large organizations and brings the necessary skills to serve our country as Secretary of Health and Human Services."

Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus are also lobbying Biden to consider a Hispanic candidate for attorney general. NAACP president Derrick Johnson tells CNN tonight the civil rights group is also requesting a meeting with Biden to ensure proper representation in the cabinet.

The first wave of Biden's nominees and top advisors have been filled with barrier breaking choices yet civil rights leaders are calling for more diversity in the top cabinet posts, namely attorney general and secretary of defense.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

ZELENY: Now all eyes are on those selections for attorney general and secretary of defense, Wolf, would you not expect those until next week at the earliest. But I'm told by Biden officials that there will be diversity in the cabinet but they say it's premature to judge this since there are still major vacancies.

Now as for those civil rights groups, there are seven groups specifically, including the NAACP, they say they've requested a meeting with the President-elect. So far, they've not heard back. Wolf.

BLITZER: All right, Jeff, I want you to stand by as well.

I want to bring in our CNN Political Commentator Bakari Sellers. His new book is entitled "My Vanishing Country." Our Chief White House Correspondent Jim Acosta is also back with us.

Jim, you just reported that we should expect a flurry of pardons from the President before he leaves office on January 20. We know the President has been discussing the possibility of pardoning his three eldest children, his son in law, Jared Kushner, his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, maybe even himself, how soon could we actually expect these partners to be issued?

ACOSTA: Wolf, I think we can expect those pardons really any time, obviously, between now and Inauguration Day. The source I was speaking with earlier today about all of this, who's familiar with these discussions, was indicating that that many of these pardons of the more sensitive nature like the ones pertaining to the President's family, people like Rudy Giuliani, that those may come towards the end of this term in office around January 20.

That is not unusual, Wolf, as you know, having covered the White House yourself, a lot of the times these late in the day pardons, these 11th hour pardons happen sometimes, you know, on the last day in office. You know, and this source I spoke with earlier today, who is saying that listen, it is perfectly fine for the President to preemptively give blanket pardons to his family members.

This source was pointing to the case of Richard Nixon who was pardoned by Gerald Ford, even though Richard Nixon at the time, had not committed any crimes.

[17:10:07]

People are asking, well, why is the President pardoning his family members and Rudy Giuliani when they've not been charged with any crimes, but there is a precedent for this. It has happened before in the case of Richard Nixon, not to say that it's not corrupt or not unethical, but with the source I spoke with about said is that this has happened before and it may happen again, Wolf.

BLITZER: Yes, he has a wide range of possibilities when it comes to pardoning individuals. Although it would be extraordinary if he went ahead and did something no one has ever done pardon himself before leaving office. We don't know how that would play out.

You know, Bakari, if the President were to pardon those members of his family, his inner circle or himself for that matter, would that be an admission of serious wrongdoing?

BAKARI SELLERS, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: It would be. I mean most times people understand that in order to get a pardon or to grant a pardon there has to be some level of guilt, whether or not it's an admission or otherwise. And the President in this matter would be saying that my children and my son-in-law and myself are guilty of committing crimes, and we're going to part in those crimes.

And so, this is not something that people should take lightly. However, again, I mean, when you look at this piece and the large pieces of puzzle or the large puzzle that is Donald Trump, I don't feel like this is going to rise to the level of outrage that this deserves.

In fact, I think that this is probably one of the more damning and outrageous things that he's considering, and that he likely will do in his entire presidency. But we go through this day after day, week after week, and we get to a certain level of exhaustion with the 45th President of the United States, that I don't believe there's going to be this outrage.

Lastly, it's amazing that law and order Republicans, these Republicans who we talk about, the Chuck Grassleys, the Lindsey Grahams of the world, the Cornyns of the world, are -- they're going to remain quiet on this. They're not going to speak out or say anything on this because one thing that Donald Trump has is a grip on the Republican Party. And they know getting on the other side of him is a death knell to any future ambitions or future campaigns they may have.

And so yes, I do think that it's a grave concern. My fear, though, overarching is that it's not going to rise to the level of outrage that it should.

BLITZER: You know, Jeff, these discussions about a flurry of pardons, signaling the end of one administration, just as the new administration continues to take shape. Does this news have any impact at all, as far as we can tell on President-elect Biden's upcoming nominations and appointments are specifically let's talk about the Attorney General?

ZELENY: Wolf, if it certainly raises a question of what the Biden administration is going to do at the Department of Justice, that has been one of the most important positions that has not yet been filled, of course. And it's unclear, the threats of the pardons likely do not but one thing that could have a big role is what the Attorney General Bill Barr did yesterday, of course, appointing the special counsel to continue the investigation of -- back from 2016.

So of course, that essentially leaves a gift, if you will, a stinking time bomb, perhaps for Joe Biden when he takes office. What does he do? Does he fire the special counsel? That of course would set up a flurry of other things. So that is unlikely.

But in terms of who he's appointing as his attorney general, this could impact that. So we have an array of contenders as Sally Yates is one for example. She was long thought to be a leading contender. She of course, was the acting attorney general at the very beginning of the Trump administration. So would she have to recuse herself, you know, in the wake of this special counsel report?

But there's also considerable pressure on a president like Joe Biden to appoint a person of color in the attorney general's position. So we know that Jeh Johnson, the former Homeland Security Secretary, is in the mix for that, as is the former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick were told, as is California Attorney General Xavier Becerra.

So Wolf, there are many key openings. But attorney general certainly is one that is certainly being focused on at this point. And it is related, if not necessarily going to be influenced by what's happening now in the Trump administration.

BLITZER: Yes. Tom Perez, we're told is also under consideration, the DNC chair.

You know, Bakari, as you know the NAACP president Derrick Johnson has told CNN that civil rights groups are trying to land an actual meeting, a sit down meeting with the President-elect, maybe a virtual meeting with the President-elect and the Vice President-elect, for that matter. How important is it that civil rights groups are being heard, as this new administration is actually being formed?

SELLERS: Very, very, very important. And I know some people are going to say give them a chance, it's early, but you can't wait until it's too late. You can't wait until these appointments are being made.

The fact is that we've had a lot of diverse appointments to this point, but they've been deputy level positions. They've been advisory roles. And what people want to see are black and brown people who lead these agencies because they're very qualified people who can lead these agencies. Whether or not we're talking about the Department of Homeland, or interior, excuse me and someone like Dave Allen (ph), whether or not we're talking about Xavier Becerra or Tony West or Jeh Johnson or Deval Patrick or Tom Perez for attorney general.

[17:15:07]

I mean, all of these names need to get the fair shake they are, but there also has to be pressure applied. Because to be completely honest with you, Wolf, black voters are the reason that there is a President- elect Joe Biden. Joe Biden understands that, whether or not it's Marcia Fudge at the Department of Ag, there has to be some attention given to given African Americans and brown -- black and brown voters across the country, Hispanic voters as well Native American voters as well, giving them something in a leadership role that shows that Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are paying attention. That's very, very important. And that's the only way you get off to a good start.

So I expect to see whether or not as the Department of Interior, whether or not as Ag, whether or not as AG, I expect to see some of these appointments made. And I'm glad that these advocacy groups are advocating and doing their job not waiting.

BLITZER: But isn't it important, Bakari, that he selected Kamala Harris to be the first woman, the first woman of color, actually to be the Vice President of the United States?

SELLERS: No doubt about it. I mean, that symbolism for someone like myself raising two black girls in this country. That symbolism means a lot. But, Wolf, that isn't enough. Like we're at a point, we're at a point now where we're trying to make sure that black folk lead, and black and brown folk actually lead some of these agencies, that is the important thing as we create and make policy moving forward.

BLITZER: Yes. But it is more than just symbolism. She's going to be the second most powerful person in the government.

SELLERS: No doubt about it. But we're talking -- we're also talking about tangible policy. So I'm not disregarding that. And I'm not saying what the Biden administration is doing to this point is not necessarily enough. I'm also -- I'm just saying simply that we deserve more.

And that's what you're going to hear, we deserve more. And I think that black and brown voters in this country are the reason that there is a Joe Biden elect, they deserve more. Native American voters deserve more, and they should see that representation and those people leading that agency or those respective agencies.

BLITZER: You make very good points.

Guys, thank you very much. Everybody stand by, there's more news. We're following the former President Barack Obama chiding his fellow Democrats to make room for new voices.

We'll talk about that and more with the Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries. There you see him. We'll discuss when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:21:41]

We're following multiple breaking stories, including a source now telling CNN to expect a flurry of pardons even as the White House is dodging questions about whether the President will pardon Rudy Giuliani or members of the First Family.

We're joined now by a member of the House Democratic leadership, New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries. He's the Chair of the House Democratic Caucus.

Congressman, thanks so much for joining us. What's your response to our new reporting that we're expecting what's being described as a flurry of pardons from the President as he continues to discuss possibly pardoning three of his children, his son-in-law, even his lawyer Rudy Giuliani, maybe even himself?

REP. HAKEEM JEFFRIES (D-NY): Wolf, from the very beginning of the Trump presidency has been all about the friends and family plan, how can he enrich himself, his family members, his close friends, the wealthiest 1 percent in this country as evidenced by the GOP tax scam that was his signature piece of legislation.

At this point, nothing would surprise me, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue has been an ongoing crime scene. Donald Trump is one of the most corrupt presidents in the history of the Republic, his behavior makes Richard Nixon look like a choirboy.

But, you know, Wolf, at the end of the day, I think it's important for all of us not to look backward. Trump presidency is in his final days, it's limping to the end. We have to look forward because there's so many problems that the American people are confronting, so much pain, suffering and death connected to the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to reach an agreement, we need to provide direct relief to everyday Americans, we need to crush the virus, we need to revive the economy. That's what House Democrats are focused on right now.

BLITZER: I want to get to that in a moment. But let me get your reaction to what we're hearing from the head of the NAACP was pushing the Biden transition team to include civil rights groups in the transition process as the new administration is taking shape and its priorities are being determined. Should the President-elect meet with the NAACP, and other civil rights groups before decisions and appointments are made?

JEFFRIES: I certainly think that that would be a productive conversation. And it should be ongoing, not just in advance of any appointments that are being made. But perhaps most importantly, throughout the duration of his presidency, as we work to deal with issues like the systemic racism that has been in the soil of America for 401 years.

You know, we've come a long way in this great country, we still have a long way to go. We have to deal with issues like criminal justice reform, make sure that we can end the era of voter suppression once and for all, transform policing in America to make it more of a guardian approach to policing as opposed to the warrior approach that has led to some of the tragedies that we've seen such as George Floyd's death in Minneapolis.

There's a whole host of issues that have to be dealt with. So yes, I think a conversation at this point in time with respect to appointments is appropriate. Representation matters, substantive change and results of what really are going to matter for the people that I represent in Brooklyn and Queens and for the people throughout this country.

BLITZER: Yes, Derrick Johnson, the head of the NAACP will be joining me here in the Situation Room tomorrow. We'll continue this discussion with him.

But as far as the money needed coronavirus economic stimulus relief, a lot of people, millions of people around the country are suffering right now.

[17:25:09]

As you well know, Congressman, the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, she now says that the bipartisan proposal that is out there should be the basis for stimulus talks. You're a member of the Democratic Congressional leadership give us some insight into the negotiations and negotiations currently underway. In other words, will there be a deal that will help so many millions of Americans who by the end of this month by Christmas are going to be suffering even worse than they are right now?

JEFFRIES: Well, we should not leave Washington D.C. until there is an agreement that provides meaningful relief to everyday Americans, provides assistance to state and local governments whose budgets have been decimated through no fault of their own. Make sure that we deal with the food insecurity that is skyrocketing throughout America.

Food lines in a district that I represent throughout New York City and beyond are unlike anything that I've seen in my lifetime. We have to make sure that we don't allow approximately 11 million Americans to lose their unemployment insurance assistance which will take place if we don't reach an agreement.

Speaker Pelosi has been working incredibly hard. He's got a great working rapport with Secretary Mnuchin. As she mentioned, and leader Schumer mentioned, we've got a foundation a framework to try to reach an agreement. I'm thankful for the efforts of that bipartisan group of senators.

But we need Mitch McConnell to actually do his job. He can't continue to be doctor obstruction, Mr. No, in his own framing the Grim Reaper when there's so much pain and suffering and death that are being experienced by the American people. So I'm hopeful that Senate Republicans will push Leader McConnell to negotiate in good faith. There are willing partners on our side of the Capitol, led by Speaker Pelosi, and we shouldn't leave until we get something meaningful done for everyday America.

BLITZER: I certainly hope you guys don't leave Washington until there's a deal because so many people are suffering.

I want you to listen to something else, Congressman, this is the former President Barack Obama, what he told Snapchat about what he sees as an issue, an important issue, he says, for your Democratic Party, listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BARACK OBAMA, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: We stick so long with the same old folks and don't make room for new voices. I don't think that an AOC only got, what, three minutes or five minutes.

REP. ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ, (D) NEW YORK: Good evening, bienvenidos and thank you.

OBAMA: When, you know, she speaks to a broad section of young people who are interested in what she has to say even if they don't agree with everything she says. New bloods always good.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: What's your reaction when you hear that?

JEFFRIES: Well, I think that, you know, the Democratic Party is the party of renewal, the party of the future. And we need to continue to create as much space as we can for these emerging voices to be heard in a meaningful way.

It certainly is happening here in the House of Representatives, where Speaker Pelosi has been very clear and ushering in a new generation of folks to work with the current leadership to try to get things done for the people.

We should build upon that, because we do have a real opportunity. We are the party that speaks to the climate crisis. We are the party that speaks to criminal justice reform. We are the party that speaks to creating prosperity and every single zip code and continuing to allow newer voices to emerge, to speak to those issues and support and undergird the tremendous and experienced leaders that we have like Barack Obama, and of course, President-elect Joe Biden, I think that's a powerful combination.

BLITZER: Hakeem Jeffries is the Chair of the House Democratic Caucus. Thanks so much for joining us, Congressman. Appreciate it very much.

JEFFRIES: Thank you, Wolf.

BLITZER: Up next, today's news in the coronavirus pandemic, Pfizer's new coronavirus vaccine gets its first approval for use in Britain. When will it be available here in the United States? (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:33:58]

BLITZER: The breaking pandemic news tonight, CDC Director Robert Redfield warning that the next three months here in the United States will be, quote, the most difficult time in U.S. public health history. That comes up in a record number of Americans now hospitalized with COVID-19 almost 100,000. CNN National Correspondent Athena Jones has more from New York.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ATHENA JONES, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): With the United Kingdom becoming the first western country to greenlight a coronavirus vaccine, plans are already underway to distribute it in the U.S. once the FDA grants Emergency Use Authorization.

GENERAL GUSTAVE F. PERNA, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, OPERATION WARD SPEED: When UAE decision comes, distribution to the American people becomes immediate within 24 hours. That's our goal.

JONES (voice-over): Federal officials expect 40 million doses to be available by the end of December, with between 5 million and 10 million doses becoming available each week for the first few months as vaccine makers ramp up production. The first shipment set to be delivered December 15th for Pfizer and BioNTech's vaccine and December 22nd from Moderna's.

A CDC Advisory Committee recommending health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities be among the first to be inoculated.

[17:35:07]

Operation Warp Speed officials expect to vaccinate 20 million people in December, 30 million in January and 50 million in February.

MONCEF SLAOUI, CHIEF ADVISER TO OPERATION WARP SPEED: And end of February, we will have potentially immunize the 100 million people, which is really more or less the size of the significant at risk population.

JONES (voice-over): But it will be months before most people get a shot and America is already in crisis. The White House Coronavirus Task Force warning we're in a very dangerous place with the COVID risk to all Americans at an historic high. The U.S. setting another record for hospitalizations, which more than doubled in the month of November on Tuesday. The CDC Director warning by February we could have 450,000 deaths.

DR. ROBERT REDFIELD, DIRECTOR, U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION: The reality is December and January and February are going to be rough times. I actually believe they're going to be the most difficult time in the public health history of this nation. Largely because of the stress that's going to put on our healthcare system. JONES (voice-over): Or again reported its highest single day death toll so far, Texas set a record for new cases in one day. And in Kentucky --

GOV. ANDY BESHEAR (D), KENTUCKY: No way to sugarcoat it. Today, is the very worst day that we have had for reporting on the spread of the coronavirus. And it is the deadliest day that we have had.

JONES (voice-over): In California, where Los Angeles saw its worst day for new cases in hospitalizations, the Governor is weighing the possibility of a statewide stay at home order as cases surge.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JONES: And with Christmas right around the corner and the terrible numbers we're seeing, the CDC has the same message for the upcoming holiday season that it had for Thanksgiving. The best way for people to protect themselves and their family is to stay home and not travel. Wolf?

BLITZER: Good advice. All right, Athena, thank you very much. Athena Jones in New York.

Let's get some more in all of these. Michael Osterholm is joining us. The Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota and also a new member of the Biden Coronavirus Advisory Board. Professor, thank you so much for joining us. Thanks for everything you're doing.

You just heard the CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield, saying the death toll could reach what, 450,000 by February, what's happening now to prepare the President-elect to tackle that truly daunting prospect?

MICHAEL OSTERHOLM, DIR., CENTER FOR INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESEARCH & POLICY, UNIV. OF MINNESOTA: Well, the President-elect is clearly using science as the basis upon which he makes his decisions as the whole transition team. And they're looking carefully at what's in place now in terms of prevention programs and what we need in the future.

I would add a context to Dr. Redfield comments, I hope that we don't have this happen. You know, we have the ability and our power to basically stop the transmission of this virus by not exchanging air, swapping air with each other. I hope that we take that seriously and don't see these cases materialized as he stated.

BLITZER: You know, we're not seeing that happen yet, sadly. And it's causing thousands and thousands of deaths every day. The UK as you know, Professor, approved the Pfizer vaccine. Today, we're expecting the United States will soon follow with both the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccines. Do you agree with the head of Operation Warp Speed that 100 million Americans potentially could be vaccinated by February?

OSTERHOLM: I will only can hope that that's the case. I don't think that it's a challenge about getting the vaccine. But, Wolf, we have a lot of work to do to convince Americans that this vaccine is safe and effective. Right now, that's a challenge. So, the numbers are not going to be about number of doses available, it's going to be about the number of people willing to roll up their sleeve and get vaccinated.

BLITZER: Initially, there will be enough vaccines were told for healthcare workers, for people in long-term care facilities, then what happens next for the millions of other Americans who are at risk?

OSTERHOLM: The same group, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices that the CDC convened yesterday will need to consider that and determine just what the basis will be upon which who gets it next. Is it about who's most likely to have serious disease? Who gets the disease most frequently? What might be the likely impact of the vaccine by their underlying health conditions? And so, there really is a lot of work yet to do to determine who will be next in line and we need to get on with that right now.

BLITZER: Well, good luck, Professor Michael Osterholm. Good luck with the Biden Advisory Council and all of your colleagues because this situation, obviously, is not good right now. There's hope for the vaccines, but there's still an enormous amount of work out there and potentially a lot of death. Thank you so much for joining us.

OSTERHOLM: Thank you.

BLITZER: Coming up, in an exclusive interview with the head of one of the companies behind a new coronavirus vaccine, calls at the start of the end of the pandemic.

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[17:44:26]

BLITZER: Tonight, we're hearing exclusively from the head of the German company that along with Pfizer developed a coronavirus vaccine. He spoke with CNN's Fred Pleitgen. Fred, he says this is the start of the end of the pandemic, is that right?

FREDERIK PLEITGEN, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, he certainly does. Ugur Sahin was very optimistic about this vaccine, especially getting that approval from the United Kingdom. Of course, Wolf, this is the vaccine that had 95 percent efficacy in phase 3 trials.

And what Ugur Sahin, the CEO told us, he said now that they got this approval immediately the logistics has been set in motion, the vials, so the doses for that vaccines are going to be shipped to the U.K. very quickly and people they're going to start receiving shots by the beginning of next week.

[17:45:06]

And while our interview was going on, he did tell me he believes this could be the beginning of the end of the coronavirus pandemic. Here's what he said.

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UGUR SAHIN, BIONTECH CEO: We believe that it is really the start of the end of the pandemic. We might be able to deliver sufficient number of doses until end of summer 2021 to reach the 70 to -- 60 percent to 70 percent coverage, which could give us the relief to have a normal event in 2021.

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PLEITGEN: And, of course, one of the things that I also spoke to him about is how they feel about the ongoing process for an Emergency Use Authorization with the FDA. Of course, Wolf, we know that there's going to be that key meeting on the 10th of December. And he also feels with the signals that they're getting from the FDA, of course, the balls totally in the court of the regulator. But they think from the signals that they're getting, they're going to get that approval fairly quickly as well.

And, of course, we know, Wolf, that some of those doses have already been shipped to Kalamazoo, Michigan. And that distribution could start very quickly after an Emergency Use Authorization is issued as, Wolf.

BLITZER: And that we expect to happen later this month. That's all very, very encouraging news. Fred Pleitgen reporting for us. Excellent work. Thank you, as usual.

Coming up, the alarming increase in threats of violence, even death threats against election officials and concerns they're being brought on by President Trump's baseless claims of election fraud.

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[17:51:24]

BLITZER: President Trump's White House Press Secretary today declined to explicitly condemn threats of violence against Georgia election officials. CNN's Brian Todd is keeping track of all these very disturbing developments. What's the latest, Brian? Tell us more?

BRIAN TODD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, we have some disturbing new information tonight on threats being made to election officials across the country. Even the most obscure election officials are being threatened and one of them in Georgia finally couldn't take it anymore.

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GABRIEL STERLING, GEORGIA STATE ELECTION OFFICIAL: It all gone too far. All of it.

TODD (voice-over): Georgia State election official Gabriel Sterling unable to hide his anger. Speaking about death threats he's received in trying to certify the results of the presidential election in Georgia, a loss for President Trump which the President contests Sterling, a Republican, spoke of threats also received by his boss, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and Raffensperger's wife.

STERLING: His address is out there. They get people doing caravans one of their house. They've had people come onto their property. Tricia, his wife of 40 years is getting sexualized threats through her cell phone. It has to stop.

TODD (voice-over): Raffensperger also a Republican spoke to Wolf Blitzer about the threats to his wife.

BRAD RAFFENSPERGER, GEORGIA SECRETARY OF STATE: That's a little unsettling for her obviously. The first ones came in just, you know, more subtle and then they got to more graphic and then they come in with some vulgarity also.

TODD (voice-over): The final straw for Sterling, he said, was that a 20 something tech contract or for a voting system company in Georgia received threats and a noose in front of his home for his work in certifying the election.

STERLING: This kid took a job. He just took a job. And it's just wrong. Someone's going to get hurt, someone's going to get shot, someone's going to get killed.

TODD (voice-over): At the time Sterling spoke on Tuesday, neither the White House nor Republican Senators Kelly Loeffler or David Perdue had condemned the threats to Georgia election officials.

STERLING: All of you who have not said a damn word are complicit in this.

TODD (voice-over): After Sterling spoke, both senators along with the Trump campaign, did condemn the threats. But the White House hasn't specifically called out the threats in Georgia.

LISA LERER, POLITICAL REPORTER, THE NEW YORK TIMES: Look, I think this is what happens when you have a president who politicizes the mechanics of an election.

TODD (voice-over): And it's not just Georgia. According to a PBS Frontline investigation, election officials in five states have faced death threats as they counted ballots and certified results. One is Republican Secretary of State Katie Hobbs of Arizona.

KATIE HOBBS, ARIZONA SECRETARY OF STATE: There's surveillance outside of my house because people have showed up at my house as well.

TODD (voice-over): And Al Schmidt, the Republican City Commissioner of Philadelphia.

AL SCHMIDT. PHILADELPHIA CITY COMMISSIONER: What we're doing should be very not controversial. We are counting votes cast by eligible voters on or before Election Day. And yet the response is one of threats of violence.

TODD (voice-over): Then there were the remarks this week by Trump campaign attorney and former federal prosecutor Joe diGenova about Chris Krebs, a top U.S. cyber security official who was ousted by Trump after he rejected the President's claims about voter fraud.

JOE DIGENOVA, TRUMP CAMPAIGN LAWYER: Anybody who thinks that this election went well like that idiot Krebs, who used to be the head of cybersecurity --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The guy that was on "60 Minutes' last night.

DIGENOVA: That guy is a class A moron. He should be drawn and quartered, taken out of dawn and shot.

JAMES GAGLIANO, FORMER FBI SUPERVISORY SPECIAL AGENT: He knows better than to say something so incendiary and so inflammatory that someone some unhinged person could take him at his word and target somebody involved in our elections process. It is just unconscionable.

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[17:55:09]

TODD: The White House has called Joe diGenova's comments, quote, wildly inappropriate. diGenova has since tried to walk them back saying they were sarcastic and made in jest. diGenova says he does not mean Chris Krebs any harm. diGenova is, according to a source, still helping the Trump campaign contest election results, Wolf?

BLITZER: These threats are all so, so disturbing. What's going on to wonderful people out there who are doing very patriotic and important work?

TODD: Yes.

BLITZER: Brian Todd, thank you very, very much.

There's more breaking news we're following, the source now telling CNN to expect a flurry of pardons before President Trump leaves office. So, will they include his lawyer, his children, even himself?

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