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Sources: Trump Sees Special Counsel Investigations Of Hunter Biden & Election Claims As Payback For Russia Probe; Sources Describe "Crazy" Scramble For Pardons From Trump; Interview With Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT); Lawmakers Negotiating On $900B COVID Relief Bill Expected To Include New Stimulus Check; Biden Introduces Former Rival Buttigieg As Transportation Secretary Nominee; U.S. Coronavirus Death Toll Surpasses 306,000 With 16.8 Million Cases As Massive Vaccine Rollout Gains Steam. Aired 5-6p ET

Aired December 16, 2020 - 17:00   ET

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

[17:00:00]

JAKE TAPPER, CNN HOST: Our coverage on CNN continues right now.

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're following breaking news.

Congress potentially on the brink of a deal on a stimulus package to help millions and millions of Americans who are desperately struggling right now through the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. Talks are happening as we speak up on Capitol Hill.

The Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is saying and I'm quoting him now, "I think we're going to get there." And the Senate Minority Leader Charles Chuck Schumer says and I'm quoting, "the finish line is in sight."

We'll talk about it in a few moments with Senator Bernie Sanders. He has very strong views on what's going on right now.

Meanwhile, the U.S. coronavirus death toll has now surpassed 306,000 people and more than 16.8 million confirmed cases here in the U.S. That has the unprecedented rollout of the Pfizer vaccine gained steam. Dr. Anthony Fauci now says the Moderna vaccine could get emergency use authorization from the FDA as early as tomorrow.

Let's begin our coverage this hour over the White House. 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: Oh, that's right. President Trump, Wolf, is not alone in pushing baseless claims of election fraud. Top Republican lawmakers including the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, were spreading disinformation about the 2020 election at a hearing earlier today. The sheer number of enablers on Capitol Hill is something that is being tracked by advisors close to the President. We're hearing about this just in the last several minutes as one White House adviser told me, "I think you'd be surprised as the President's team continues to see a solid number of Republican senators willing to contest the election results."

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Please rise.

ACOSTA (voice-over): Parodying President Trump's baseless claims of election fraud, the Republican chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Ron Johnson, staged what was described as a hearing on voting irregularities, lighting a fire under outraged Democrats.

SEN. GARY PETERS, (D) RANKING MEMBER, HOMELAND SECURITY COMMITTEE: Whether intended or not, this hearing gives a platform to conspiracy theories and lies and it's a destructive exercise that has no place in the United States Senate.

ACOSTA: Michigan Democratic Senator Gary Peters accused Republicans of being sore losers for refusing to accept Joe Biden as the next president. Johnson accused Peters of spreading disinformation.

PETERS: Chairman you can't make good star nations and then drop it in there.

That is why this needs --

SEN. RON JOHNSON, (R) WISCONSIN: Senator Paul (ph).

PETERS: -- to return back to its --

(Crosstalk)

PETERS: This is -- this is -- this is terrible, what you're doing to this Committee and all the great work that you talked about --

JOHNSON: It is what you have done to this committee.

PETERS: It is not the case.

JOHNSON: You're also accusing the chairman of spreading disinformation.

ACOSTA: The administration's former top cyber security official Chris Krebs, who was fired by Mr. Trump, warned Republicans they're playing into the hands of U.S. adversaries.

CHRIS KREBS, FORMER DIRECTOR, CISA: We have to stop this it's undermining confidence in democracy.

ACOSTA: The President was watching from the sidelines tweeting, "Senator Ron Johnson doing an excellent job." Mr. Trump is still furious Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell acknowledged Biden as president-elect, tweeting, "Too soon to give up. Republican Party must finally learn to fight. People are angry."

Some GOP leaders haven't gotten the memo that Biden won, like House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: -- acknowledge that Joe Biden won the election, that he's president-elect?

ACOSTA: Perhaps because top White House officials are engaging in doublespeak, suggesting that Mr. Trump could remain in office while hinting he may run again in 2024.

KAYLEIGH MCENANY, WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY: By 2024, look, he's the leader of this movement, no matter what happens in 2020, 2024 there is -- is there for his taking. His base is strong, they're not going away.

ACOSTA: While outside the White House may not be kind of Mr. Trump as Democratic state attorneys general are warning they may be investigating the outgoing administration firing off this letter that states, "We asked that the Office of the White House Counsel ensure that all White House personnel understand and comply with their record preservation obligations.

Democratic lawmakers are also seizing on the administration's handling of the pandemic, uncovering e-mails written by a former Health and Human Services adviser pushing the controversial concept of herd immunity as an approach to fighting the virus.

One e-mail stated, "If it is causing more cases in young my word is, who cares?" While another added, "There is no other way, we need to establish heard and it only comes about allowing the non-high risk groups expose themselves to the virus. Period."

The White House has denied it's been pursuing herd immunity. But just last week, the President appeared to suggest that Americans were moving in that direction.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I hear we're close to 15 percent. I'm hearing that. And that is terrific.

ACOSTA: The other looming question on the virus is when President Trump will receive his own vaccination. White House official say, that won't happen until it's recommended by doctors on Mr. Trump's medical team who were monitoring his COVID-19 recovery.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

[17:05:07]

ACOSTA: And the President held a cabinet meeting here at the White House earlier today, but a number of cabinet members were missing, Wolf, including the Attorney General William Barr, as well as the acting Defense Secretary and the Secretary of State. Barr's absence is notable as President Trump appears to be in the interest or interested in carrying out a vendetta during his remaining days in office.

One idea he has raised with advisors is going after President-elect Joe Biden's son Hunter. Sources tell CNN the President has been sounding out the idea of naming a special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden who's already facing a federal tax probe.

But, Wolf, one other thing that was unusual earlier today, the President held this cabinet meeting out of the view of the cameras. He is once again in hiding, not allowing the press to come in and watch was typically a very normal photo opportunity over here at the White House. He didn't want the cameras in there today, Wolf.

BLITZER: Yes. He didn't want to answer reporters' questions clearly.

All right, Jim Acosta, thank you very much.

Let's get the latest of the Biden transition right now. Our Senior Washington Correspondent Jeff Zeleny is in Wilmington, Delaware for us.

Jeff, the President Elect he's moving quickly to fill his cabinet.

JEFF ZELENY, CNN SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, he did fill one more cabinet position today with the naming of former rival Pete Buttigieg to be the Transportation Secretary. I am told more cabinet picks will become clear over the weekend.

He still is deciding on his attorney general. But all of this happened here, Wolf, as he said today for the first time that he will get the vaccine. And tonight we're learning when.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

JOE BIDEN, (D) PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE UNITED STATES: I don't want to get ahead of the line. But I want to make sure that we demonstrate to the American people that it is safe to take.

ZELENY (voice-over): Tonight President Elect Joe Biden making clear he's ready for his COVID-19 vaccination and plans to get his shot for all to see.

BIDEN: When I do it, I'll do it publicly and so you all can actually witness by getting it done.

ZELENY: Biden's first shot is likely to take place early next week, CNN has learned, as the vaccination rollout continues across the country to medical workers and other high ranking U.S. leaders.

Meanwhile, Biden is adding more faces to his administration and defending his picks so far.

BIDEN: Our Cabinet doesn't just have one first, or just two of these first, but a precedent busting appointments. ZELENY: And tonight the night with Pete Buttigieg to serve as Transportation Secretary, the first openly gay nominee to a president's cabinet to face Senate confirmation.

BIDEN: A new voice, a new idea is determined to move past all politics.

ZELENY: A campaign rival turn confident. The 38-year-old former South Bend Indiana mayor would also be the youngest person to serve in Biden's cabinet.

PETE BUTTIGIEG, TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY NOMINEE: I can't help but think of a 17-year-old somewhere who might be watching us right now. Somebody who wonders whether and where they belong in the world or even in their own family.

Thank you for honoring your commitment to diversity with this administration that you're assembling.

ZELENY: With a goal of filling his cabinet by Christmas, Biden will name his climate team on Saturday, including former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm as Energy Secretary and the Obama administration's EPA chief Gina McCarthy to a new role as White House climate coordinator.

Biden is also still weighing his choices for Attorney General. CNN has learned with Judge Merrick Garland in Alabama Senator Doug Jones, the top contenders.

Tonight, the President-elect also urging Congress to pass an economic relief bill before the holidays.

BIDEN: It's a down payment, important down payment, oh, it's going to have to be done.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

ZELENY: Now the goal fulfilling all of the cabinet or most of the top spots is still before the Christmas holidays. That means next week could be the biggest week yet for the most important positions remaining. That's attorney general, as well as the director of the CIA.

Now, Wolf, there are competing interests here and the decision for attorney general. Again, we are told it is between Judge Merrick Garland, who of course, was a Supreme Court nominee in the Obama administration who was blocked by the Senate, as well as outgoing Alabama Senator Doug Jones.

Of course, this is complicated as well by all of these Trump investigations still going on. Democrats calling for more of them. As well as Hunter Biden's own business dealing investigation. So, Wolf, a big decision here facing Joe Biden for his attorney general. We are hoping, at least expecting, that will be next week.

BLITZER: Yes, we'll be watching -- ZELENY: Wolf.

BLITZER: -- it every step of the way. Jeff Zeleny, thank you very much.

Let's get some more on all of this. Our chief political analyst Gloria Borger is with us. Our CNN Political Correspondent Abby Phillip is with us. And our Senior Justice Correspondent Evan Perez.

Evan, you have new reporting about what's behind President Trump's push for special counsels' to investigate the 2020 election and Hunter Biden. Tell our viewers what you're learning.

EVAN PEREZ, CNN SENIOR JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Well, Wolf, this appears to be about payback to a certain extent by the President. He believes that Democrats essentially hampered his and his administration for years with the Russia investigation. And so that's one of the things that he's seeking for the Justice Department to do on his way out. He's hoping that they appoint a special counsel to look into the Hunter Biden investigation and investigation is already ongoing and being handled by the U.S. Attorney in Delaware.

[17:10:13]

But more than that, Wolf, he's also looking for a special counsel to look into his vote fraud allegations. And this is something that, you know, the Attorney General here, Bill Barr has already said publicly, there's no evidence to indicate there's been enough fraud to make a difference in the election.

He in his resignation letter that he sent out this week, Wolf, he mentioned that they're still looking, they're still looking to see whether or not there's any proof behind the President's allegations of widespread vote fraud. So far, none has turned up. But the President looking to try to get two special counsels before he leaves on January 20.

BLITZER: Yes, Bill Barr told The Associated Press on December 1, that the FBI has been investigating U.S. attorneys, have been investigating, and so far, they have found no evidence of widespread voter fraud.

You know, you know, Gloria, what is this quest for revenge by the President tell you about how he's approaching the end of this presidency, 35 days from today?

GLORIA BORGER, CNN CHIEF POLITICAL ANALYST: Well, he's doing everything he can to delegitimize Joe Biden, and to cause Joe Biden, a lot of trouble and a lot of headaches.

And, you know, more than anything else, this is a president who obsessed, as we all live through it, obsessed over Robert Muller, who was the special counsel, he believes he was treated unfairly. He believes it was a hoax, as he told us time and time again. And he wants to get back. He wants to appoint a special counsel so that Joe Biden gets those same headaches. And you'll recall after 2016, this president also thought that the election was rigged, and that he actually got more in the popular vote, you'll recall that he did get. And so, he tried to set up a commission on the election and it fell apart. It fell apart because there was no there there.

So what he's trying to do is say, you know, Joe Biden didn't win, and he wants this to be the base for his platform for whatever political future he has, whether it's running for reelection in 2024, or just being a kingmaker for Republicans for the next four years.

BLITZER: Yes, four years ago, he lost the popular vote by almost 3 million votes to Hillary.

BORGER: He did.

BLITZER: But he didn't win the Electoral College. This time, he's losing the popular vote by more than 7 million votes and he's also losing the Electoral College, has officially lost the electoral college, I should say.

Abby, you heard that Jim Acosta report that President Trump's advisors are still tracking what's being described as a handful of Republican senators who they say are willing to back the President's efforts to stay in power, despite the fact that he has lost this election. What is going on here?

ABBY PHILLIP, CNN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, the President is down to the wire here. There are not that many avenues available to him to cause, you know, perhaps a little bit of a delay in this process. And so they're looking to Republican senators, you know, who might want to prove their loyalty to him in order to do this.

But you've already heard some of those people like Senator Ron Johnson, who I think we all expected to be a pretty one of the last holdouts on this issue saying he doesn't expect to object.

So, it would be curious for me to see who actually wants to stick their neck out on this issue, especially after having been warned by Mitch McConnell that it could backfire. And knowing that it won't work at the end of the day.

At the end of the day, the Congress is going to do what they are required to do, which is -- which is move this process forward so that we can get to an inauguration on January 20.

This is all about keeping hope alive for the President's supporters. The fundraising e-mails are coming every single day as they try to raise money based on the idea that this is not over.

And so in order to do that, they have to keep the illusion that there is a likelihood that when this goes to Congress, that there will be a senator who objects and a senator who objects in a way that will actually stop the process. We know already that that is not going to happen. BLITZER: But even if it were to happen, nothing would result from it. There'd be a debate for a few hours, and then the House and the Senate and join session would go ahead and approve on January 6 that what the Electoral College has already done. And then on January 20th, Biden becomes President of the United States, Kamala Harris becomes Vice President of the United States.

Evan, the CNN is also learning that the Trump White House is inundated with requests right now for pardon during these final 35 days. So what can you tell us about that?

PEREZ: Well, Wolf, they are inundated. And so much so that the White House, especially the White House Counsel's Office has set up a spreadsheet to track these hundreds of requests.

This has been an abnormal presidency in so many ways, but one that we can point to is the fact that they've sort of avoided using the Justice Department the President has to look at these clemency requests. This is something that they've pretty much handled, either through the President himself talking to Fox News hosts or the Kardashians in order to decide who gets a clemency.

[17:15:18]

But right now, we know that there are dozens of people around the President who are hoping to get some kind of pardon. We know that among the names that the President has talked about is Michael Flynn, who obviously was already received one. And now of course, some of the people that were implicated in the Russia investigation. That's on his mind.

We don't know how many of these hundreds that have come in to the White House Counsel are going to end up getting anything from the President. But we can bet that we know he's going to be very busy in the coming weeks as he tries to go out the door, giving some of these pardons to some of the people that he's close to.

BLITZER: Yes, all of us expect that there will be plenty of pardons in these final days.

All right, guys, thank you very, very much.

There's more breaking news we're following here in THE SITUATION ROOM. Congress, potentially on the brink of a deal on desperately needed pandemic stimulus assistance. We'll talk about it with Senator Bernie Sanders.

There he is. He's got very strong views. He's standing by live. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:20:38]

BLITZER: Right now we're keeping a very close eye up on Capitol Hill where lawmakers say they are making progress and a new economic stimulus package is expected to include a new round of direct payments to individual, something that our next guest has been pushing for very, very strongly. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont is joining us from Capitol Hill.

Senator, thanks so much for joining us. And I know this is an issue that is close to your heart. You've been critical of the current coronavirus relief proposals saying they simply don't go far enough to do what is really needed. But from your perspective, on the latest information you're getting, what's missing?

SEN. BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT): Well, number one, the entire bill at 900 billion is much too low, it should be at least double that. So what's in this current bill is good, but it's not enough.

Now, what I recognized a couple of weeks ago, that there were no direct payments going out to people in this country, many of whom are in desperate economic check.

As you well know, Wolf, we got a record breaking level of hunger in America higher than it's been for a very, very long time. You got millions of people who are facing eviction, they can't afford to pay their rent, they're going deeper into debt. And we're looking at people in the midst of the worst pandemic in 100 years who can't afford to go to the doctor, because they don't have enough money.

So what I have fought for along with a Republican Senator, Senator Hawley of Missouri, is to make sure the right Direct Payments similar to what we did in the CARES Act in March, and that would be $1,200 for every working class person in America, people on the 75,000, a couple under $150,000 and $500 for each of their children. So, a family of four would get $3,400, which is not insignificant in this moment when so many people are hurting.

BLITZER: But just to be precise, that yet hasn't been accepted what you want, right?

SANDERS: That is right. Where we're at right now, as I understand it, is where between six and $700 for adults, and $600 for children. So we are making progress but I want us to go even further.

Because I think when you ask people out on the street, what is the most important thing the government can do in this terrible, terrible moment? They will say, give us some help.

BLITZER: Right.

SANDERS: We need some help right now to pay the bills. And that's what we're trying to do.

BLITZER: Researchers have found, Senator, that since June, it's hard to believe this is happening in our country, some 7.8 million Americans have fallen into poverty. And these are people who had jobs, were making a living, they were paying the rent, buying food doing what they needed to do. But now they are in poverty right now. And it's hard to believe this is going on.

And what's so frustrating to me and so many others, why is it taking so long to help these millions of Americans?

SANDERS: Well, you know, I don't want to become overly political here. But it is clear to me that we have a Republican majority here in the Senate who has refused to entertain, and still refuses to entertain, the kind of funding that is needed to provide nutrition, to help people who are being evicted, to make sure that people in this crisis.

Can you believe that in the midst of this terrible pandemic, everyone's afraid of getting the virus, and you got 90 million people who are unable to go to the doctor when they get sick? So many of us have fought for adequate funding, and we've met very stiff resistance from Mitch McConnell and Republican leadership.

But you know, what we got now is not enough, but it is something. And I'm just simply happy to say that as we enter the holiday season, when so many people are worried about how they're going to pay their bills, whether they're going to get evicted, whether they're going to feed their kids, at least, at least, among other things, there'll be $600 per adult, and five $600 per child as well. So I just thought I want to do better.

BLITZER: So obviously, even though you want more, you'll vote in favor of this compromise, whatever emerges, is that right?

SANDERS: I want to read the bill. It's a long, long bill. But I'm feeling good that we have made some progress at least.

You know, we could go as you know, nobody was talking about direct payments. We got something in the bill and I want to thank my progressive friends in the House for their good work on this when they could still progress.

[17:25:06]

BLITZER: Because you know, as I often say, and I've said it to the Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others, you -- when you're dealing with a crisis like this, you can't let the perfect be the enemy of the good because so many millions of people out there are suffering.

You might not get everything, Senator, but you're going to get a bunch that will make life better for these people, right?

SANDERS: Well, one of the other things that we're going to get is extended unemployment benefits. As you've indicated, unemployment is very high. A lot of people have no income. Again, doesn't go as far as I would want. But I think we're talking about a supplement of $300 on top of regular unemployment, I think it's now for 13 weeks.

And also, I should point out, Wolf, importantly, that I think President-elect Biden fully understands the nature of the crisis as soon as his administration is in office. I think we can expect to see a significant step forward in addressing a lot of what was not dealt with in this bill.

So this is, in a sense, a down payment. This is not the end of the discussion. The American people working families are hurting, we have got a respond. We're doing something now. We'll do more when Biden takes office.

BLITZER: When do you expect this vote to happen? It's got to happen within the next few days, but do you have a timeline?

SANDERS: I don't think anybody really knows that right now.

BLITZER: But you're going to stay in D.C. until this is done. You're not going back to Vermont?

SANDERS: I am not. And I don't think anybody can or should. We cannot go back to our families when so many families in this country are hurting right now. We got to get this done.

BLITZER: I know we got to run. But let me ask you one final question while I have you, Senator.

The President-elect Joe Biden has nominated your fellow former presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, he was a moderate Democrat, to serve as the new Transportation Secretary. You've called for more progressive voices to have leadership roles in the incoming Biden administration.

Do you think the President-elect is doing enough right now to amplify progressive voices and policies?

SANDERS: As I've said many times, I don't.

You know the progressive movement in this country, and remember, I was the runner up to Biden, and we got a few votes. Elizabeth Warren got a few votes. Number of progressives won seats to Congress.

You know, and those voices of millions and millions of people deserve representation in the Biden, a cabinet. And if you're asking me, how have I seen that at this point? I haven't.

I've seen some really good, very bright, very competent people and I know many of them. They're good people. Good selections. But if you're asking me have we seen the kind of progressive appointments, nominations that I would like to see the answer is not yet.

BLITZER: That was precisely what I was asking you and you gave me a straight answer.

Senator Sanders as usual, thank you so much for joining us. Good luck with this legislation. The country needs it. Millions of people are suffering right now. They need help, and Congress needs to act. Appreciate it very much.

SANDERS: Thank you.

BLITZER: Coming up, we'll have the latest on the coronavirus crisis including hoax, a second vaccine will be authorized within days.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:33:09] BLITZER: We're following the breaking pandemic news. As of tonight, more than 306,000 American lives have been lost to the coronavirus pandemic, and cases continue to surge more than 16.8 million have been confirmed as of this hour. CNN's Lucy Kafanov is in Phoenix with the very latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

LUCY KAFANOV, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): As the coronavirus pandemic rages on, hopes are growing for a second vaccine. Moderna's rollout is expected to be larger than Pfizer's. Distribution of about 6 million doses to nearly 3,200 sites across the country could begin as early as next week. Advisors to the FDA discussing recommendations tomorrow.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And vaccine within five like pizza box trays that fit right in here.

KAFANOV (voice-over): While Pfizer's vaccine must be frozen in extremely cold temperatures, Moderna's can be kept in regular freezers, allowing for broader distribution.

DR. PAUL OFFIT, DIRECTOR, VACCINE EDUCATION CENTER AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA: It looks to be roughly 95 percent effective at preventing disease including 100 percent effective at severe disease.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Heard the good news about COVID-19 vaccines? Yes, they're coming. But you can do a lot more than just wait.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You lifted up.

KAFANOV (voice-over): Two new radio ads from the Department of Health and Human Services are spreading word about the vaccines and urging Americans to stay safe.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: As long as we keep watching our distance wearing our masks and washing our hands.

ADM. BRETT GIROIR, MD, ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR HEALTH, HHS: This is not phony This is not fake. It is serious.

KAFANOV (voice-over): As health officials plead with the country to take the virus seriously, they also warn the vaccine won't make a dent quite yet.

GIROIR: Ultimately, we immunize for herd immunity. And that will happen when 70 percent or 80 percent of the American people have immunity against COVID.

KAFANOV (voice-over): The biggest obstacle to reaching that herd immunity convincing Americans to get vaccinated.

DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES: The challenge is the acceptance on the part of various elements in our society. You know, particularly and we're working very hard the minority populations understandably have somewhat of a skepticism.

[17:35:07]

KAFANOV (voice-over): In Florida, an 88-year-old woman receiving her vaccination today. One of the first nursing home residents to get the shot. A vaccine does not mean Americans can let their guard down.

ALEX AZAR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY: Even with the emergence of these new tools, we are not at the finish line yet. Especially as we approached the holidays.

KAFANOV (voice-over): More than 198,000 new COVID-19 cases reported Tuesday, more than 3,000 deaths, the third highest number ever, and another record more than 112,000 Americans in hospitals, almost twice as many as during the peak of spring.

New cases surging in at least 14 states, up by more than 50 percent in Tennessee. California, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Texas and Michigan, each reporting more than 200 deaths on Tuesday. California activating its mass fatality program, purchasing 5,000 new body, bags 60 refrigerated trailers are on standby as makeshift morgues.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KAFANOV: Officials in Alaska confirmed that one of their health care workers suffered a severe allergic reaction to the Pfizer vaccine. Yesterday, she has no known history of allergies, she is in stable condition. But this is cause for concern as Arizona begins its own vaccinations. The tense you see behind me maybe empty right now, but this is where hundreds of Arizona frontline first responder workers will be getting their vaccination shots starting tomorrow. Wolf?

BLITZER: All right, Lucy, thank you very much. Lucy Kafanov reporting. Let's get some more in all of these, Dr. Richard Besser is joining us. He's the former Acting Director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Besser, thanks for joining us, as you know, the Moderna vaccine, the second vaccine could get Emergency Use Authorization as soon maybe as tomorrow. How big of a step forward will that be?

DR. RICHARD BESSER, FORMER ACTING DIRECTOR, CDC: It's huge, Wolf. You know, the more vaccines we have that are safe and effective they can be used, the more tools that our public health officials will have, the more people will be able to get vaccinated. One of -- you are watching the hearings very, very closely, and I hope it's like the Pfizer hearings where independent scientists are allowed to ask tough questions. I looked at the report, the review that FDA had done and their analysis shows that their conclusion of the vaccine is safe and effective.

And one of the things about this vaccine that is very exciting is what you just mentioned in the report is that it doesn't require the same storage conditions of minus 94 degrees. So if you're a state that's looking to get the vaccine out to a rural nursing home or a small hospital in a rural community, you don't have to worry that you're going to have to thaw hundreds of doses of vaccine and use them quickly over five days, you could take a smaller number of vaccines, doses out there, refrigerate them and administered them in those nursing homes without fear of losing any other doses.

BLITZER: You heard Lucy's report, because it now appears that there was some sort of very negative allergic reaction perhaps to that Pfizer vaccine here in the U.S. in Alaska. This health care worker is recovering stable condition right now. But what lessons should be taken from this?

BESSER: Well, yes, here, my take away is the system work. When you get vaccinated, you should be observed for 15 minutes in case there is a reaction. It also shows, Wolf, that even after the FDA approves vaccines for use, there's a lot we still don't know, we're going to have to continue to monitor people. What the committee will be doing is recommending what studies the companies need to continue doing and what kind of work FDA and CDC need to do as it goes forward.

When vaccine trials are done, they're done in a specific population in a very controlled setting. Whenever you then go out and, again, use those products and millions of people, there may be rare things that you see that weren't seen in the trial that you have to be able to look at.

And if they start to find that there are a significant number of people who have allergic reactions, they want to look to see is there a particular component in that vaccine that's doing that. But here, it was very good that the individual who had the reaction was still being observed, and they could very quickly manage her condition by giving her a shot of adrenaline.

BLITZER: Dr. Besser, thank you so much for joining us. Thanks for all the important work you do.

BESSER: Thanks, Wolf.

BLITZER: Coming up, how the world is reacting to President Trump's refusal to concede the presidential election. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is standing by to discuss. We'll get international reaction when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[17:44:17]

BLITZER: We're following the breaking pandemic news right now out of the U.K. Tonight, the country's death toll is top 65,000 people with almost 2 billion confirmed cases.

Joining us now live, the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. Mayor Khan, thank you so much for joining us. The British Prime Minister, as you well know, a lot better than I do, Boris Johnson says he won't make changes to relaxed holiday COVID rules despite what he calls a worrying rise in cases right now. Do you believe that's a mistake?

MAYOR SADIQ KHAN, LONDON: I do and so do many health experts in the U.K. And there's a big discussion debate argument taking place, whether our Christmas period will lead to a big surge in this virus.

[17:45:01]

We've seen across the globe people making huge sacrifices. The Chinese New Year was celebrated very differently this year. The Muslim Hajj pilgrimage celebrate very differently, Eid Diwali (ph), Passover, Hanukkah. Our concern is the relaxation from our Prime Minister to allow many households to meet, to allow travel across the U.K. over five days when the restrictions are lifted, could lead to another surge in this virus.

And what concerns us is the fact as we not can now see light at the end of the tunnel with a new vaccine being rolled out. And imagine how heartbreaking it will be to lose a loved one who's elderly, when he or she could have received a vaccine and live (INAUDIBLE) long and fruitful life.

BLITZER: How are those vaccines, the vaccinations going you guys are about a week ahead of us?

KHAN: Well, I was present at hospital last Tuesday, when the first vaccines were rolled out 140,000 of my fellow countrymen and women have received the vaccine so far. It's the Pfizer One. It's a really good example of international cooperation, a vaccine invented by Germans of Turkish origin, made in Belgium, a company owned by the Americans administered in our country for the last week.

And we're hoping these two doses shows a way out of this awful, awful year that we've had. We now have a roadmap in the meaningful sense of the word, which means that we cannot finally see light at the end of the tunnel.

BLITZER: I hope so. We're doing the same thing here. And let's hope it does. As you well know, Mayor, the United States and the United Kingdom have had big changes coming. And they've got more changes coming in 2021. So far, though, President Trump and his allies are refusing to accept the fact that he lost this election 35 days until inauguration. What's the view from London? What does this say to people around the world about the health of our American democracy? How do you view it?

KHAN: Well, there's two things I'd say in response. Firstly, nothing that President Trump does surprises many of us anymore. But the second thing I think is, you Americans should be so incredibly proud of your constitution, and of your way of doing things. Why do I say that? Four years ago, the American people elected Donald Trump, many of us were surprised what happens four years later. You elect somebody else, and he loses the election.

He isn't accept the result. He's a sore loser. But you've got a fantastic system, not just John King, so magical, but the Electoral College, and that's confirmed who the winner is, President-elect Biden, and Vice President-elect to Harris. But even Donald Trump is entitled to challenge that decision in the courts but your courts, thankfully are, in our view, making the right sorts of call. So you should be so incredibly proud of the checks and balances your democracy has, the separation of powers are working incredibly well.

And it's a good illustration to the rest of us around the world. But actually, even when there is, in my view, is an aberration with the election of Donald Trump. Your system is so healthy, that democracy in the end leads to, in my view, the right result. But even if somebody like Donald Trump doesn't accept it, there can be a smooth transition because of your American system. And you should be so incredibly proud.

BLITZER: We are proud of our system and it will move forward. And there will be a new president sworn in at noon on January 20th here in the United States.

Mayor Khan, let's continue these conversations down the road. Thanks so much for joining us. And good luck to everyone in London, in the U.K. We're going through the same issues you are as well. Thank you so much.

KHAN: Stay safe.

BLITZER: Stay safe, too.

There's more breaking news we're following, Congress are closing in in a desperately needed economic stimulus deal. We're going live to Capitol Hill for the very latest.

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BLITZER: Let's get more now on the breaking news up on Capitol Hill where negotiators appear to be on the verge of a deal on a coronavirus economic relief package and it likely will include another round of direct payments to Americans who are desperate right now. Let's go to CNN's Manu Raju up on Capitol Hill. What's the very latest, Manu, what are you hearing?

MANU RAJU, CNN SENIOR CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, this our congressional leaders are negotiating a major package closing on a deal worth roughly $900 billion to try to provide relief to the American public after months of partisan bickering and stalemate on Capitol Hill. All signs are pointing to this deal will come together in a matter of days, potentially even tonight, maybe even tomorrow and can move through Congress possibly by the end of this week or early next week.

Now, the deal, the details we have not seen because they're still being negotiated. But we're getting a sense of what's in there that includes $600 for direct payments, that is about half of what was approved back in the March rescue package which was $1,200 in stimulus checks. Now, we're expecting $600 for individuals under a certain income threshold, also $300 a week in jobless benefits critical for so many Americans who are seeing their unemployment benefits expiring, that is about half also of what was proved before.

[17:55:00] In addition, Wolf, expected about $330 billion for small businesses, all part of this major deal. We'll see if they can get it done, get it through quickly because so many people are waiting here, Wolf.

BLITZER: Yes, in the last few months 8 million Americans have gone into poverty because of this coronavirus pandemic. They need help and they needed quickly. Manu, thank you very, very much.

Coming up, the scramble for pardons in President Trump's final weeks in office. We're learning new details 35 days until the inauguration.

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