So tonight federal Court Documents showing the Justice Departments investigating a possible president ial pardon bribery scheme. Those filings dont reveal any names of people potentially involved. Also tonight, a source saying associates of President Trump including his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, are seeking preemptive pardons. All this happening as attorney general bill barr says there is no evidence of widespread fraud in the election. Effectively shutting down President Trumps false claims of massive voter fraud. Joining me now, cnn White House Correspondent john harwood, Ron Brownstein and amanda carpenter. Good to see all of you. Thanks for joining. John, youre first. The Justice Department is investigating a potential bribery scheme for president ial pardons. What do you know . What can you tell us about . We dont know a lot as you indicated in the open, don. We know that Federal District judge released a heavily redacted court filing from this summer that indicated federal
Commentator amanda carpenter. John, youre first. We are learning the Justice Department is investigating a potential bribery scheme for president ial pardons. What can you tell us about that . We dont know a lot as you indicated in the open. Federal district judge barrel howell released a heavily redacted court filing from this sum they are indicated that federal prosecutors were investigating the potential for a bid to obtain a president ial pardon by means of offering a Campaign Contribution either to a campaign directly or to a political committee. Names were not attached to it, so we dont know who was being investigated. Were unaware that anyone has been charged with a crime related to this investigation, but as the conservative lawyer George Conway who happens to be married to Kellyanne Conway put on twitter tonight, ask yourself, what was runner if a campaign for high office this summer and who has the power to issue a president ial pardon . The answer to both of these questions
In fact, here is a look at what the skies look like right now. Those packed airports, those packed crowded dinner tables could lead to another surge. In the last 24 hours the coronavirus has killed more than 2,000 people. That is the highest daily death toll in six months. The number of americans who have lost their lives to covid19 now more than 260,000. But there is one encouraging update this morning. The federal government has now updated their timeline on when the first vaccine doses could go out. It could be as early as mid december once the fda gives approval. Those are the most vulnerable groups, along with the first responders, with likely be the first to get those vaccines. We start this morning on this thanksgiving eve with reporters in two parts of the country seeing major spikes. Nbcs Morgan Chesky is in ft. Worth, texas. Valerie castro is tracking Holiday Travel in lake forest, illinois. Morgan, lets start with you in texas. That state broke its daily case record, nearly
Overturn the election. A election supported by 18 states attorneys and general 106 House Republicans and President Trump. We are monitoring the fda which could decide any moment to grant emergency use authorization for the pfizer Coronavirus Vaccine. Once that happens, Officials Say we could see the first vaccinations here in the United States as soon as monday. The Trump White House is asserting new political pressure into the process. Sources tell cnn that mark meadows told the fda he should resign if the vaccine isnt authorized by the end of today. Meanwhile, the crisis is worsening by the hour. More than 294,000 americans have now been killed by covid19 and the number of cases just topped 15. 7 million as hospitalizations hit another record high. Lets begin this hour over at the white house. Our chief White House Correspondent jim acosta is joining us. President trump seems to be pinning his hopes on this texas lawsuit that by almost all accounts has no legal basis. Reporter thats
A big announcement expected tomorrow in washington. Sources tell cnn that president obama is going to Cross Party Lines and announce former republican senator chuck hagel as his nominee for defense secretary. But hagel has critics on capitol hill even among republicans. The question is his past views on several issues, including israel. Chuck hagel if confirmed to be secretary of defense would be the most antagonistic secretary of defense toward the state of israel in our nations history. Well have more in a few moments. Help is on the way for people who lost so much during Superstorm Sandy. President obama signed into law today a 9. 7 billion sandy Disaster Relief package. It was the first legislative action of the new congress. A larger sandy aid package will have to wait. Lawmakers will consider 51 billion relief bill on january 15th. Some people were outraged after House Speaker boehner canceled a vote tuesday on the entire aid package. Sandy devastated parts of the northeast more