we begin with the breaking news on the january 6th investigation. sources now telling cnn that one of the highest ranking former trump officials is now cooperating with the select committee. let's go straight to cnn's special correspondent jamie gangel who has exclusive reporting for us. tell our viewers what you're learning? >> cnn is learning that mark short, one of former vice president mike pence's closest advisers and former chief of staff is cooperating with the january 6th committee. we learned the committee subpoenaed mark short a few weeks ago, but unlike some other trump officials, he is not fighting the subpoena rmt short's cooperation, wolf, is a significant development because he is a firsthand witness to many critical events. he was with mike pence at the capitol on january 6th. he was also in the oval office on january 4th when former president trump tried to convince pence not to certify the election results. in addition, wolf, our sources say that short's assistance signals a greater openness among pence's inner circle with one source telling me the committee is getting, quote, significant cooperation with team pence, and another source telling me that short's help is an example of the momentum the investigation is having behind the scenes. wolf, i do think it's important for context to remember this: short is considered one of pence's most loyal aides. he has worked with him off and on for more than a decade. it is hard to imagine that mark short would cooperate with the committee without pence's blessing. wolf. >> that's really an important point, jamie. why is short's cooperation as a result so, so significant? >> we've heard a lot about trump officials, allies of trump claiming executive privilege or saying they'll take the fifth. this marks a significant break for the committee because mark short is a firsthand witness and he's willing to cooperate according to our sources. he knows firsthand what was going on in the days leading up to january 6th. he knows what happened at the capitol on january 6th. it's hard not to imagine that mark short who was then chief of staff to mike pence, he's there in the capitol, was not calling or texting someone like mark meadows who was chief of staff to donald trump when the riot was going on. he is likely to be able to provide information about conversations, phone calls, texts that were going on in realtime on january 6. just as one example, he may be able to tell the committee what the communication was when they were reaching out trying to find out why did it take so long for trump to come out and tell the rioters to stop, wolf. >> how do you think, jamie, the former president is going to react to all this? >> not well. donald trump is not going to be happy with this, to say the least. in fact, just going back on january 7th, he actually banned mark short from the white house because he was so angry that pence didn't do his bidding. but this is also a significant break with other high-level officials who appear to have been doing everything they can to delay. we all know that the committee wants to work as quickly as possible. mark short's cooperation is just very important for them to try to meet their timeline, wolf. >> excellent, excellent reporting, jamie. thanks for breaking the story right here in "the situation room." very important news potentially. thank you very, very much. i want to break all this down with our senior legal analyst laura coates, also joining us senior law enforcement analyst andrew mccade, former deputy director and author of the book "the threat: how the fbi protects america in the age of terror and trump." how significant do you believe mark short's cooperation will be to this investigation and what do you hope he can shed light on? >> wolf, it's significant on several levels. first just symbolically, the fact that you have a major player in the inner sanctum of the president's office, not claiming executive privilege or invoking his fifth amendment right. on a tactical level it's significant because of all the reasons that jamie just walked through. he was a firsthand observer to key events both before january 6 and predominantly in that oval office meeting on january 4th where the president tried to convince the vice president to overturn the lawful election and also, of course, on the capitol on january 6th at the vice president's side, present for many of those phone calls, many of those conversations, no doubt engaging in them himself. there's a lot he could tell the committee. >> laura, what do you think? mark short heard former president trump in his own words, but his loyalty is clearly with the former vice president. >> i think that's the most intriguing aspect of this. because through him, you can essentially get the thoughts, the commentary, the views of the former vice president who i remind people, of course, is the person who was targeted by members of this insurrection mob, those who were building gallows on the lawn of the capitol, those who were angered by him, his decision to uphold the electoral college and to look at this issue and the notion of allowing the people's will to actually be served. the idea of having mark short would be a way to really better understand the testimony even before, if it ever comes, if he never agrees to testify, this is a window into somebody who had the ear of the former president of the united states, was the second in command, was targeted and in danger at that moment in time and what he also saw around him, the idea of the pace of trying to react to it, the decisions not to have somebody immediately come, the idea of having members of the capitol police force and the washington, d.c. police department also defending for their lives, trying to protect them and the delay. he'll have an insight into all of these things and does not seem inclined to wait like a steve bannon, like a mark meadows to figure out what to compartmentalize. this is really big news. >> you know, it's interesting, laura -- let me just follow up. do you agree that seeing such a high-profile official like mark short cooperate could encourage other witnesses to be more forthcoming? andrew, i want your thoughts on that as well. >> it absolutely will encourage people. there's a distinction here. there are those who want to essentially stay under the wing of the former president, fearful of political retribution. there are those who will say, look, there was a time in america and not too long ago, when congress subpoenaed you, you actually complied, you answered questions. you didn't thumb your nose and say, i don't fael like it, i'll become a political martyr. this is a reversion back to a kind of normalcy in washington, d.c. where you uphold this is tiled to the legislative initiatives. this is what is supposed to happen. >> andrew, what do you think? >> laura is exactly right. you can't overstate the value of having a prominent connected republican acknowledging the ought authority of the committee and doing the right thing. to the extent that other witnesses are looking for some sort of a sign as to how to respond to subpoenas they may receive, the example of mark short might be very influential. let's remember, wolf, we're not putting on a case for trial. no one is being prosecuted here. the committee is trying to construct a narrative of what happened. they don't need every person who was in attendance at every interesting meeting. they just need one. with marc short, they now have a key witness who was in some key events. this might open up a lot of information. >> laura, is there any way that the former president could potentially intervene in all of this and prevent short's cooperation? >> well, i'm sure he'll make every effort to do so. thematically, if he does not do so, if he allows for, say, conversations with himself or things that would fall under the privilege that he is asserting is colorable through conversations with, say, steve bannon or the national archives or mark meadows, it would be inconsistent in front of the court and opens himself up to the criticism of the court who will say, why is this statement okay when it is said by this person, the same content is not able to be touched by another. the courts will view that. so i would think at some point in time he would review what he has already articulated as being off limits, and to the extent any testimony this person will give would fall under that category, he has a litigation decision and a decision to make politically in front of the court and litigiously. >> major news coming in from jamie gangel, thank you very much. we'll stay on top of the breaking news. also just ahead, we're getting new insight into what president biden is prepared to say and do when he goes head to head with vladimir putin tomorrow. what does it feel like to sell your car to carvana? it feels amazing. when you get a great offer in seconds... (all cheering) it feels too good to be true. it's kicking back and relaxing as we pick up your car. and when you get paid on the spot, it feels like scoring big. you know the feeling. you just never imagined you could get it from selling your car. well, with carvana, you can. experience the new way to sell a car. ♪ you pour your heart into everything you do, which is a lot. so take care of that heart with lipton. because sippin' on unsweetened lipton can help support a healthy heart. lipton. stop chuggin'. start sippin'. ♪ say it's all right ♪ ♪ say it's all right, it's all right ♪ ♪ have a good time 'cause it's all right ♪ ♪ now listen to the beat ♪ ♪ kinda pat your feet ♪ ♪ it's all right ♪ ♪ have a good time 'cause it's all right ♪ ♪ oh, it's all right ♪ >> man: what's my safelite story? my truck...is my livelihood. so when my windshield cracked... the experts at safelite autoglass came right to me... with service i could trust. right, girl? >> singers: ♪ safelite repair, safelite replace. ♪ get help managing your money for the life -- and years -- ahead. with fidelity income planning, we'll look at what you've saved, what you'll need, and build a straightforward plan to generate income, even when you're not working. a plan that gives you the chance to grow your savings and create cash flow that lasts. along the way, we'll give you ways to be tax efficient. and you can start, stop or adjust your plan at any time without the unnecessary fees. we'll help you go from saving... to living. ♪ play all day ♪ president biden is being tested by two of his most powerful foreign adversaries. we're talking about russia and china. let's go straight to the white house. our chief national affairs correspondent jeff zeleny is reporting for us. tension clearly mounting with both of these countries tonight. >> reporter: wolf, that is why the white house announced a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 winter olympic games in beijing. athletes from america will be participating, but u.s. officials will not be going. that's a symbolic move but certainly a significant one. all of these coming on the eve of a critical phone call happening tomorrow between president biden and russian president vladimir putin. all over ukraine and the rising tensions on the border. biden has economic sanctions he says he'll use if that invasion happens. as the u.s. weighs new sanctions. the president speaking with united allies on imposing economic sanctions against russia as new u.s. intelligence obtained by cnn estimates moscow could invade ukraine by as soon as next month. >> this is the moment for russia to pull back their military border at the border, that diplomacy is the right path forward. >> reporter: the russian president expected to issue an ultimatum of his own, a written guarantee for widen to oppose nato and military alliance from expanding into ukraine. putin has called this a red line. the virtual meeting between biden and putin comes at a low point in relations between two countries. it's their first conversation since july, following their face-to-face june summit in geneva. since then tensions have soared. based on these images obtained by cnn, new u.s. intelligence reports now estimate russia could amass as much as 175,000 troops on the ukraine border with half already there. white house press secretary jen psaki saying the sanctions are aimed at putin's inner circle and critical sectors of the economy. >> we have consulted significantly with our allies and believe we have a path forward that would impose significant and severe harm on the russian economy. you can call that a threat. you can call that a fact, preparation, whatever you want to call it. >> reporter: the escalation of troops on the ukraine border is reminiscent of russia's 2014 invasion of crimea, a brazen move alarming u.s. and russian leaders. >> what i'm doing is putting together what i believe will be the most comprehensive and meaningful set of initiatives to make it very, very difficult for mr. putin to go ahead do what people are worried he may do. >> reporter: tonight tensions also escalating with china as the u.s. takes a rare step of imposing a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 winter olympics in beijing. >> the athletes on team usa have our full support. we will be behind them 100% as we cheer them on from home. >> reporter: the white house stopping well short of a full boycott, like the u.s. did in 1980 when president jimmy carter protested the moscow olympics keeping american athletes from taking part in the games. >> i don't think that we felt it was the right step to penalize athletes who have been training, preparing for this moment, and we felt that we could send a clear message by not sending an official u.s. delegation. >> reporter: by not sending an official u.s. delegation certainly is a symbolic move, but a significant one. the timing is as well. the question here is how many other allies follow suit on that if any at all. wolf, it is the phone call happening here tomorrow morning with president biden and russian president vladimir putin, it's going to be a virtual meeting of sorts, a video phone call that is certainly going to be incredibly important. i'm told the president has spent considerable time going tlup a variety of scenarios of things that could come up. again, diplomacy, diplomatic alternatives are going to be proposed here, obviously trying to avoid a military confrontation. the sanctions we're hearing about also from the center, wolf. >> jeff zeleny at the white house, thank you very much. let's discuss what's going on with democratic congressman jim himes of connecticut, a key member of the house intelligence committee. congressman, thanks so much for joining us. i want to get to russia and china and the tensions, but let me get your reaction to the breaking news at the top of the hour from jamie gangel who reported that former ens chief of staff marc short is cooperating with the january 6th select committee. when you heard that news, what did you think? >> i thought two things. number one, that's good, though we're putting more and more time between us and the events of january 6th, those are not events i will forget. i was 50 feet from where i'm standing now wondering if members of congress would be killed. i'm glad we'll get that information. the other thing i'm glad about, wolf, in the error of trump we sort of got accustomed to people saying, oh, i got a subpoena, but i'm going to ignore it. when you get a subpoena, when congress asks you to come to testify, you come to testify. you can exercise your fifth amendment rights if that's what you want to do, but you do not thumb your nose at the institutional prerogatives of the united states congress. i'm glad we're returning to that as an important concept. >> marc short clearly doing the right thing by accepting and working with the committee in the face of the committee. let's get to russian aggression. the ukrainian defense minister warning of a bloody massacre if president putin were to invade ukraine. is the threat of more sanctions enough, or does president biden need to outline various u.s. military options? >> well, wolf, the stakes are very, very high. when vladimir putin moved into crimea, he got slapped on the wrist or at least he perceived that as a slap on the wrist. now if he sees an opening to move into ukraine, where does it stop? so the stakes are enormously high. vladimir putin and russia cannot invade ukraine. the world cannot sustain a norm where just because you, as vladimir putin, happen to think the ukrainians are not a real country, well, gees, that's excuse to go in. no, wolf, i don't think the threat of sanctions are enough. a wise russia hand once said to me, when you're thinking about sanctions on russia, remember these are the people who survived the siege of stalin grad, one of the worst moments of world war ii. number one, this can't be sanctions only. i think the president needs to make it very clear to vladimir putin that we will arm ukrainians with defensive weaponry, we will do everything we can to make sure if he goes across the border the cost of will be huge. he's speaking on behalf of the world. this is not a u.s./russia thing. the world can't sustain a putinesque norm. the europeans will stop buying energy, the sanctions will be global and going into ukraine could mean the end of this regime. >> very significant development unfolding. congressman jim himes, thanks for joining us. coming up, more breaking news we're following, this time on a new search under way in connection with the deadly school shooting in michigan. the oakland county sheriff is standing by live. we'll discuss when we come back. . (other money manager) so you do it because you have to? (naj) no, we do it because it's the right thing to do. we help clients enjoy a comfortable retirement. (other money manager) sounds like a big responsibility. (naj) one that we don't take lightly. it's why our fees are structured so we do better when our clients do better. fisher investments is clearly different. ♪ well the sun is shining and the grass is green ♪ ♪ i'm way ahead of schedule with my trusty team ♪ ♪ there's heather on the hedges ♪ ♪ and kenny on the koi ♪ ♪ and your truck's been demolished by the peterson boy ♪ ♪ yes -- ♪ wait, what was that? timber... [ sighs heavily ] when owning a small business gets real, progressive helps protect what you've built with affordable coverage. ♪ ♪ ♪ (sha bop sha bop) ♪ ♪ are the stars out tonight? (sha bop sha bop) ♪ ♪ ♪ alexa, play our favorite song again. ok. ♪ i only have eyes for you ♪ to run a growing business, is to be on a journey. and along the ride, you'll have many questions. challenges. and a few surprises. ♪ but wherever you are on your journey. your dell technologies advisor is here for you - with the right tech solutions. so you can stop at nothing for your customers. small businesses like yours make gift-giving possible. now, comcast business has an exclusive gift for you. introducing the gift of savings sale. for a limited time, ask how to get a great deal for your business. and get up to a $500 prepaid card with select bundles when you switch to the network that can deliver gig speeds to the most businesses. or get started with internet and voice for $64.99 per month with a 2-year price guarantee. give your business the gift of savings today. comcast business. powering possibilities. there's breaking news in the deadly school shooting in michigan. authorities are shooting the home of the man accused of helping the suspect's parents hide from authorities. cnn's adrian broaddus has more on the investigation. >> not guilty. >> not guilty. >> reporter: today jennifer and james crumbley now sit in the same jail as their son under close observation. the parents were arrested saturday morning, found in a warehouse in nearby detroit hours after they were charged with four counts each of involuntary manslaughter. >> if they're a fugitive of justice, charges that could be additionally added. if they're convicted, there are actually additional points scored for the obstruction of justice. so they're likely to get higher sentences. >> reporter: prosecutors saying the crumbleys were making preparations to flee during the time they evaded capture. >> they withdrew $4,000 from an atm in rochester hills. they fled. they sought multiple attempts to hide their location and were eventually tracked down, and these two individual were found locked somewhere in a room hiding. >> reporter: still no word on whether a third person, the man who allowed the couple to get into the warehouse, will face potential charges. >> clearly somebody helped them into that location and made it available to them. it was after it was publicly announced that there were warrants for them. >> reporter: both jennifer and james crumbley pleaded not guilty to the charges. their attorney took issue with the timeline of events lapd out by arraignment. >> the facts laid out by ms. mcdonald and her office have been cherry-picked to further her wanting to make them an example. >> a 15-year-old should not have been in jail facing life in prison. it could have been prevented. >> reporter: the prosecutor is investigating the school's role in the events leading up to the shooting. >> i think it's time we stop talking about how terrible it is we have school shootings and look at what we can do to stop them from happening again. >> reporter: the michigan attorney general has also criticized the oxford school district's hiring of a third party to help conduct a review of the events that day. a community is still grieving the death of four teenagers and rallying around those injuries. the detroit lions dedicating its first win of the season to all the victims. >> this game ball goes to the whole oxford community, all those that were affected. i want us to not forget these names. madisyn baldwin, hannah saint giuliani, justin shilling, tate myre. those names will never be forgotten. >> a moving tribute saying their names. meanwhile, authorities are searching the home of the man hey say helped the crumbleys before they were arrested. less than ten miles from here, a tribute is under way and visitation for the 16-year-old who died in the patrol car. his family said he loved the holidays, especially decorating the christmas tree and making cookies with his mom. wolf. >> adrian broaddus reporting for us. thank you. let's discuss with the oakland county michigan sheriff, michael brouchard. thank you for joining us. authorities are searching the home of the man who actually helped the crumbley parents hide trying to evade arrest. could he face charges? >> obviously the determination we have to come up with via evidence and interviews are did he know they were on the run and was he aiding them with that knowledge. my detectives are currently executing a search warrant, seizing digital items such as phones, computers, tablets, et cetera, to determine as relates to communicative action before and after. he is cooperating. his attorney is cooperating. they offered to come in. they have talked to our detectives at length. we'll have to see what information the investigation, search warrant and these discussions bear. >> as far as the parents are concerned, sheriff, you say the circumstances of their arrest do indicate that they weren't looking to surrender. they now face four counts of involuntary manslaughter. do you believe they should face additional charges for apparently going on the run before they were eventually caught? >> well, it certainly didn't appear to us that they were looking to surrender. you don't surrender by being in a warehouse in detroit. they could come into any one of our substations or for that matter, any police agency and say we want to turn ourselves in. that's why we don't ever take for granted someone is going to turn themselves in when serious charges are issued. we don't sit and tap at the front desk and wait. we set out our fugitive apprehension team and communicate with our partners. with the detroit police and u.s. marshals we were able to close this out pretty quick. big kied does to the detroit police. >> if you could elaborate, how far did parents go to try to hide from law enforcement? do you believe they were trying to flee? >> well, it was way off the beaten path. it was in a warehouse that's not clearly meant to be a place to sleep or eat. there's a lot of hotels and a lot of places they could have gone and a lot of other places that would be more visible. in fact, we uncovered a vehicle that the family also owned another a different hotel. so there was a lot of things in motion here, and the fact that they were in a warehouse in kind of an off-the-beat path in detroit certainly is not indicative of someone who looked like they were going to surrender from my experience. >> the prosecutor argues that the school, the actual school had the legal grounds to search the shooter's backpack but didn't. do you agree with the prosecutor that the shooting could have been avoided if the parents had notified the school their son had a gun? >> as we said before, wolf, we have a standard protocol. had we been brought into that meeting, that process would have been triggered. there would have been a search. we would have made sure the school was safe and clear. we would have had the student removed until the -- once the school is made safe, we have a detailed talk with parents and ascertain availability and access to weapons at the home. in fact, we did that the next day. we had a threat against a different school district. we ended up arresting a 15-year-old, going to the home with super cooperative parents and took weapons out of the home. that's what would have been triggered had we been brought into this. >> sheriff michael brouchard, thanks for all you're doing. >> thank you, sir. days after what happened in michigan, a republican congressman is defending a photo he posted with his family touting their guns and asking santa for ammunition. ♪ ...from the comfort of home. ♪ this is what healthier looks like ♪ >> man: what's my safelite story? my truck...is my livelihood. so when my windshield cracked... the experts at safelite autoglass came right to me... with service i could trust. right, girl? >> singers: ♪ safelite repair, safelite replace. ♪ this is your home. this is your family room slash gym. the guest bedroom slash music studio. the daybed slash dog bed. the living room slash yoga shanti slash regional office slash classroom. and this is the basement slash panic room. maybe what your family needs is a vacation home slash vacation home. find yours on the vrbo app. ♪ your mission: stand up to moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. and take. it. on... ...with rinvoq. rinvoq a once-daily pill can dramatically improve symptoms... rinvoq helps tame pain, stiffness, swelling. and for some rinvoq can even significantly reduce ra fatigue. that's rinvoq relief. with ra, your overactive immune system attacks your joints. rinvoq regulates it to help stop the attack. rinvoq can lower your ability to fight infections, including tuberculosis. serious infections and blood clots, sometimes fatal, have occurred... ...as have certain cancers, including lymphoma, and tears in the stomach or intestines, and changes in lab results. your doctor should monitor your bloodwork. tell your doctor about any infections... and if you are or may become pregnant while taking rinvoq. take on ra. talk to your rheumatologist about rinvoq relief. rinvoq. make it your mission. learn how abbvie could help you save on rinvoq. when it comes to autism, finding the right words can be tough. finding understanding doesn't have to be. together, we can create a kinder, more inclusive world for the millions of people on the autism spectrum. go to autismspeaks.org bye mom. my helpers abound, i'll need you today. our sleigh is now ready, let's get on our way. a mountain of toys to fulfill many wishes. must be carried across all roads and all bridges. and when everyone is smiling and having their fun i can turn my sleigh north because my job here is done. it's not magic that makes more holiday deliveries to homes in the us than anyone else, it's the hardworking people of the united states postal service. in georgia tonight the stage is set for a very bitter primary face-off between a trump ally and a top target of the former president. senator david perdue announcing his campaign for governor, challenging the republican incumbent brian kemp. let's discuss with cnn's chief political correspondent dana bash and cnn political commentator mia love, a former member of congress. what does this tell you about trump's enduring power within the gop? >> well, when it comes to his enduring power, i think the answer is going to be really fascinating because we'll know a lot about how to answer that when we see the results of this primary race in georgia. because this isn't really about two republicans who have different views on conservatism, different views on much else other than donald trump and much else other than the rule of law particularly in the 2020 election, and standing up for the law. brian kemp is a conservative, a again a traditional conservative and so is david perdue. certainly in the short term, the answer to your question is the fact that perdue thought it was important to and advantageous for him politically to jump into this race, and obviously he didn't jump in the he didn't think he was going to win. in the short term it does show that donald trump has staying power, but the real answer will be when we see the results of the primary. >> let's also, mia, discuss the feud on going on now between democratic congresswoman ilhan omar and republican congresswoman boebert. listen what she said yesterday about mccarthy's leadership. >> mccarthy is a liar and a coward. he doesn't have the ability to condemn the kind of bigoted islamophobia and anti-muslim rhetoric. >> i have to say, first of all, the american people are really tired of this type of language. too many people are using their platform or their position in congress for their platform, their agenda and to raise money. so, like i said before, members of congress, everything i learned in congress. i think they need to stop the name calling. i never behaved like this when i was in washington. people need to treat weach othe with respect. let me mention again, is not about them. this is not about what somebody says to them or what somebody does to them, it's about the american people. that's what is lost in all of this. american people are suffering right now. it doesn't seem like people are paying attention to their needs. i'm really frankly tired of all of it. it's really exhausting. >> it is pretty disgusting when you see a republican congresswoman basically calling a democratic congresswoman a terrorist, a potential suicide bomber. that's pretty disgusting, mia, isn't it? >> it is. it's absolutely inappropriate. again, this is not the way i would behave. this is not the way i think adults should behave. again, get back to serving the american people. you don't serve the american people by continuing to throw jabs across the aisle. it doesn't really work. you don't get anything done. do your job. >> dana, i want you to look at this tweet from republican congressman thomas massie. he posted this picture of his family holding weapons and asking santa to police bring ammo. he insists he'll never delete the picture. in the wake of another deadly school shooting, is this kind of imagery what the party needs right now? >> in the context of that, absolutely not. it's hard to imagine that in the context of anything given what we saw last week and what we continue to see. but this is clearly a party that believes that despite the mass shootings, despite the real spike in crime, a lot of that crime involves gun use, that their political plus continues to be, not just second amendment, but not supporting banning the assault weapons, ability for people to have that and other really, really loose gun measures because they believe that that is what their supporters want, and in a lot of cases they're wrong. him not apologizing for this, that is just in keeping with today's politics. >> dana bash, mia love, thank you very much. coming up, the alarming new ride in covid-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths here in the united states. will new restrictions and more vaccinations make a difference? (chloe) wireless family plans save you money, but then you have to deal with family. so i got visible. get unlimited data for as low as $25 a month. no family needed. (dad vo) is the turkey done yet?! (mom vo) here's your turkey! (vo) visible. switch and get up to $200. covid cases, hospitalizations and deaths are rising here in the united states, but so is the u.s. vaccinate rate. it's growing amid warnings about the new omicron variant. let's discuss with dr. peter hotez, the dean of the national school of tropical medicine at baylor college of medicine, also author of the book "preventing the next pandemic." dr. hotez, thanks so much for joining us. the cdc says 60% of the total u.s. population is fully vaccinated with an average of more than 2.2 million covid-19 vaccine doses being administered each day. do you think we're finally seeing vaccination levels that will make a significant impact? >> yeah, unfortunately not, wolf. i know 60% sounds like a lot but the reality is we need about 85% of the u.s. population vaccinated, not 85% of adults, 85% of the whole population. so, we need another quarter of the country to get vaccinated. and -- and by the way, when i say vaccinated, that doesn't mean two doses of mrna vaccine, even though that's what formally constitutes fully vaccinated because we need that third immunization, which gives you a 30-40fold rise in virus neutralizing antibody to do it. so i do think we could vaccinate our way out of this pandemic, wolf, in the united states. but the bar is high it means another quarter of the country needs to be vaccinated and three doses of mrna and two of j&j. so unfortunately, that's why we are going to have yet another wave this winter and it's already starting up. we have had a 20% rise in cases over the last 14 days. now, we're back over 100,000 new cases a day. so, it's déjà vu all over again. >> yeah, it is. dr. fauci keeps saying 60 million americans are still refusing to get even one shot, one dose of a covid-19 vaccine. let me get your thoughts on what is going on in new york city right now. the city is implementing a vaccine mandate for all private-sector workers, that will go into effect on december 27th. in your view, doctor, are mandates like this the way we're going to eventually get out of this pandemic? >> well, i think we have to try. i know that mayor de blasio wanted to do this as one of his last gestures, last actions of going out of office. we will see if mayor adams continues that. but, you know, i think people are feeling the desperation that we are just not getting enough people vaccinated even though new york is doing better than, say, here in texas where we only have about half the population vaccinated. i think people are really exploring every lever to pull and push because the bar is so high when you have a highly transmissible agent and that's just for delta, never mind that omicron is also coming in, could be as transmissible as delta. >> dr. peter hotez, thank you very much as always. just ahead. the actor jesse smollett taking the stand in his own defense. we'll update you. enges. ♪ your dell technologies advisor can help you find the right tech solutions. so you can stop at nothing for your customers. ♪ you pour your heart into everything you do, which is a lot. so take care of that heart with lipton. because sippin' on unsweetened lipton can help support a healthy heart. lipton. stop chuggin'. start sippin'. people, with quickbooks live someone else will do your books for you. they'll even pair you with an expert bookkeeper like me, who knows your business. knows your business! expert bookkeepers who understand your business. intuit quickbooks live bookkeeping. the former empire actor jesse smollett taking the stand tonight to defend himself in his own trial. his testimony focusing on his relationship with the brothers, the two men prosecutors say smollett paid to attack him. cnn's omar jimenez is joining us live from chicago. he's been covering the trial for us. omar, what are you learning about smollett's relationship with these two brothers? >> reporter: well, wolf, his relationship with the two brothers, one of them he called creepy. a person he said he had been friends with for some time. he said that grew into a sexual relationship at points, which bola has denied over the course of his testimony. but right now, we are about an hour into cross-examination by the prosecution. they are trying to hone in on some major moments in this case. one, in particular, when jesse smollett was seen with a noose around his neck that early morning of january 2019 and the prosecutor asked whether he had tampered with the rope to make it look more potentially convincing to police. he emphatically denied that saying no. but did say after he initially got to his apartment, he took it off. but then, was told by one of his friends to put it back on. so, police could see that. but again, denied tampering with it in any significant way. earlier today, the defense went through some of the prosecution's major points in this case, piece by piece. one of them, the car ride where jesse smollett allegedly, first, told these brothers about a plan for any potential fake hate crime. and jesse smollett simply said that never happened. all they did was smoke blunts and drive around, which he testified he did frequently, sometimes by himself. but also, more times than he could count with bola and when he was asked point blank whether at any point in time they talked -- he talked to them about a hoax, he emphatically said no. now, you asked about the relationship with these brothers. with bola, smollett testified that they had multiple sexual encounters that, again, bola denied at previous points in testimony. but that he also felt they had to sneak away from ola, which he testified to happening at many points which is important, of course, because one of the defense's main theories is that homophobia could have been a potepoe ten driver or motive in what they say was a real hate crime attack. >> omar jimenez in chicago for us with the latest. finally tonight, washington is shonerring a legendary u.s. senator and 1996 republican presidential nominee. bob dole will lie in state at the u.s. capitol on thursday, following his death at age 98. dole was a wounded and highly-decorated world war ii hero who served 27 years in the u.s. senate, including tstints s the majority leader. tonight in an op-ed written before his death, dole urged americans to unify, to restore the country's greatness. the final chapter in his legacy of service, compromise, and decency in politics. i witnessed those qualities firsthand as i interviewed him many, many times over the years. we send our deepest condolences to his wife, elizabeth, the entire family. may bob dole rest in peace, and may his memory be a blessing. "erin burnett outfront" starts right now. out front next. biden's showdown with china. the president refusing to send dip low mats to the winter olympics in bay jij because of human rights abuses. tonight, china lashing back at the u.s. plus, breaking news this hour. a former-trump insider, chief of staff to mike pence, is cooperating with the january 6th committee. the crucial events he witnessed and what he is sharing. and authorities right now searching the home of the man accused of helping the parents of the alleged michigan school shooter. let's go out front

Related Keywords

Breaking News , Level , Administration , Cnn , January 6th Select Committee , 6 , January 6th , Biden , Sanctions , President Putin , U S , Ukraine , Reporting , Invasion , Confrontation , Russian , Stake , Fears , One , Parents , Charges , Case , School Shooting , Massacre , Jail , Michigan , Suicide Watch , Standing , Wolf Blitzer , Viewers , Situation Room , Around The World , President , House Intelligence Committee , Officials , News , Sources , Ranking , Let S Go , January 6th Investigation , Mike Pence , Jamie Gangel , Learning , Cooperation , Trump , Chief Of Staff , Subpoena , January 6th Committee , Advisers , Rmt Short , Events , Witness , Development , Oval Office , Capitol On January 6th , January 4th , 4 , Pence , Source , Election Results , Openness , Quote , Addition , Assistance , Inner Circle , Example , Investigation , Context , Team Pence , Momentum , Help , Scenes , Aides , Lot , Point , Committee , Allies , Jamie , Result , Blessing , Break , Executive Privilege , Fifth , Information , Someone , Donald Trump , Capitol , Riot , Mark Meadows , Conversations , Phone Calls , Communication , January 6 , Stop , Rioters , Preparation , Mark , Bidding , Pence Didn T , Least , White House , January 7th , 7 , Everything , Mark Short , Story , Timeline , Thanks , Excellent Reporting , Excellent , Laura Coates , Threat , Andrew Mccade , Book , Author , Down , Fbi , Terror , Age , Office , Levels , Inner Sanctum , Player , Fifth Amendment , Meeting , Reasons , Observer , Vice President , Course , Many , Election , No Doubt , Side , Words , President Trump , Loyalty , People , Person , Thoughts , Views , Members , Commentary , Aspect , Insurrection Mob , Idea , Issue , Decision , Those Who Were Building Gallows , Electoral College , Notion , Lawn , People S Will , Who , Way , Somebody , Testimony , Command , Window , President Of The United States , Second , Ear , Danger , It , Police Department , Washington D C , Decisions , Pace , Him , Capitol Police Force , Things , Wall , Insight , Lives , Delay , Steve Bannon , Compartmentalize , Witnesses , Official , Distinction , Wing , Retribution , United States Congress , Questions , Martyr , Kind , Initiatives , Reversion Back , Normalcy , Republican , Thing , Extent , Authority , Value , Trial , Subpoenas , No One , Sort , Sign , Narrative , Attendance , Prevent Short , Thematically , Privilege , Say , Effort , Court , Statement , Front , Content , Criticism , The National Archives , Another , Courts , Off Limits , Category , Litigation Decision , Litigiously , Top , Head , Car , Offer , Cheering , Carvana , Big , Spot , Feeling , Heart , Care , On Unsweetened Lipton , Lipton , Sippin , Start Sippin , Stop Chuggin , Time , Feet , Beat , Oman , Service , Experts , Safelite , Windshield , My Truck Is Livelihood , Plan , Money , Girl , Singers , Income Planning , Life , Safelite Repair , Cash Flow , Savings , Fees , Income , Tax Efficient , Chance , Ways , Saving , Jeff Zeleny , Two , China , Adversaries , Affairs , Reporter , Boycott , Athletes , Tension , Both , Beijing , Winter Olympic Games , 2022 , Phone Call , Move , Eve , Border , Tensions , Intelligence , Cnn Estimates Moscow , Path , Diplomacy , Military Border , Ultimatum , Military Alliance , Guarantee , Red Line , Nato , Countries , Relations , Conversation , Images , Face To June Summit In Geneva , July , Troops , Economy , Sectors , Half , Jen Psaki , White House Press Secretary , 175000 , Path Forward , Escalation , Harm , Ukraine Border , Invasion Of Crimea , Leaders , 2014 , Set , Mr , Support , Step , Team Usa , Home , Jimmy Carter , 100 , 1980 , Part , Games , Training , Moscow Olympics , Delegation , Timing , Message , Video Phone Call , Question , Sorts , Suit , Scenarios , Alternatives , Variety , Tlup , Jim Himes , Democratic , What S Going On , Center , Connecticut , Ens , Reaction , Good , Number One , 50 , Error , Rights , Nose , Prerogatives , Concept , Face , Aggression , Defense Minister Warning , Stakes , Military Options , Wrist , Opening , Slap , Crimea , World , Ukrainians , Norm , Country , Excuse , Siege , Gees , Stalin Grad , World War Ii , Weaponry , Russia Thing , Cost , Behalf , End , Putinesque Norm , Buying Energy , Europeans , Regime , Connection , Coming Up , Oakland County Sheriff , Money Manager , Naj , The Sun Is Shining , Grass , Responsibility , Clients , Fisher Investments , Retirement , Team , Truck , Boy , Schedule , Koi , Kenny , Yes , There S Heather On The Hedges , Small Business , Timber , Coverage , Progressive , Stars , Sha Bop , Alexa , Song , I Only Have Eyes For You , Journey , Growing Business , Ride , Challenges , Surprises , Advisor , Tech Solutions , Nothing , Customers , Dell , Businesses , Business , Network , Gift , Deal , Comcast Business , Savings Sale , Prepaid Card , Bundles , 00 , 500 , Internet , Price Guarantee , Gig Speeds , Voice , Possibilities , 64 99 , 2 , 4 99 , Authorities , Suspect , Adrian Broaddus , Warehouse , Jennifer , Detroit , Son , Observation , James Crumbley , Saturday Morning , Points , Manslaughter , Justice , Fugitive , Four , Prosecutors , Crumbleys , Sentences , Preparations , Capture , Obstruction Of Justice , 4000 , 000 , Location , Attempts , Somewhere , Atm , Individual , Room Hiding , Tracked Down , Rochester Hills , Word , Couple , Warrants , Attorney , Facts , Arraignment , Ms , Lapd , Mcdonald , Life In Prison , 15 , Prosecutor , Role , Shooting , School Shootings , The School , Michigan Attorney General , Death , Community , Hiring , Conduct A Review , Injuries , Teenagers , Third Party , Oxford School District , Names , Game Ball , Detroit Lions , Oxford Community , Win , Season , Victims , Saint , Hannah , Madisyn Baldwin , Tribute , Giuliani , Justin Shilling , Tate Myre , Family , Patrol Car , Visitation , 16 , Ten , Sheriff Michael Brouchard , Mom , Adrian Broaddus Reporting , Holidays , Christmas Tree , Cookies , Oakland County , Arrest , Detectives , Interviews , On The Run , Determination , Knowledge , Evidence , Et Cetera , Search Warrant , Phones , Computers , Action , Items , Tablets , Length , Discussions , Circumstances , Counts , Didn T , Police Agency , Substations , Matter , Don T Surrender By Being , Police , Partners , Tap , Desk , We Don T Sit , Fugitive Apprehension , Law Enforcement , Marshals , Big Kied , Places , Hotels , Place , Beaten Path , Fact , Hotel , Motion , Vehicle , National School Of Tropical Medicine , Experience , Grounds , Shooter , Gun , Backpack , Protocol , Student , Search , Clear , Process , Weapons , Safe , School District , Availability , Access , Talk , Sir , Photo , Ammunition , Guns , Santa , Comfort , Family Room Slash Gym , Bedroom Slash Music Studio , Daybed , Panic Room , Basement Slash , Yoga Shanti Slash , The Living Room , Slash Classroom , Vacation , Mission , Family Needs , App , Rheumatoid Arthritis , Vrbo , Rinvoq , Ra , Pill , Symptoms , Spain , Stiffness , Swelling , Fatigue , Rinvoq Relief , Ability , Infections , Joints , Attack , Immune System , Tuberculosis , Blood Clots , Doctor , Intestines , Lab Results , Changes , Bloodwork , Stomach , Tears , Cancers , Lymphoma , Rheumatologist , Autism , Finding Understanding Doesn T , Kinder , Autism Spectrum , Millions , Autismspeaks Org Bye Mom , Sleigh , Helpers , Job , Everyone , Mountain , Wishes , Toys , Roads , Bridges , Fun , Homes , Anyone , United States Postal Service , Holiday Deliveries , Stage , Ally , Face Off , Target , Georgia , Dana Bash , Mia Love , Brian Kemp , Senator David Perdue , Campaign , Governor , Chief Political Correspondent , Answer , Power , Race , Republicans , Results , Isn T , Conservatism , Law , Rule Of Law , 2020 , Term , Conservative , Show , Staying Power , Ilhan Omar , Primary , Feud , Mccarthy , Liar , Leadership , Coward , Congresswoman Boebert , Bigoted Islamophobia , Type , Language , Rhetoric , Platform , Agenda , Position , Name Calling , Weach Othe , Respect , Suffering , Attention , Needs , Adults , Terrorist , Potential Suicide Bomber , It Doesn T , Anything , Aisle , Jabs , Tweet , Picture , Thomas Massie , Family Holding Weapons , Ammo , Party , Imagery , Wake , Shootings , Crime , Assault Weapons , Spike , Gun Use , Second Amendment , Cases , Supporters , Gun Measures , Politics , Deaths , Hospitalizations , Restrictions , 19 , Vaccinations , Family Plans , Difference , Chloe , Turkey , Mom Vo , Vo , Low , Data , Switch , Dad Vo , 200 , 25 , 5 , Vaccinate Rate , Warnings , Covid , Omicron Variant , Peter Hotez , Dr , Pandemic , Baylor College Of Medicine , Vaccination Levels , Vaccine Doses , Average , U S Population , Impact , Cdc , 60 , 2 Million , Population , Reality , Sounds , 85 , Doses , Mrna Vaccine , Rise , Virus Neutralizing Antibody , Immunization , 30 , 40 , Bar , Wave , Winter , J , 14 , Three , 20 , Vaccine , Dose , Shot , Fauci , DÉja Vu , 100000 , 60 Million , New York City , View , City , Vaccine Mandate , Effect , Workers , Mandates , December 27th , 27 , De Blasio , Adams , Actions , Gestures , Wanted , Desperation , Lever , Texas , Agent , Push , Omicron , Delta , Actor , Defense , Technologies , Jesse Smollett Taking The Stand , Enges , Expert Bookkeepers , Expert Bookkeeper , Books , Quickbooks , Live Bookkeeping , Brothers , Relationship , Men Prosecutors , Empire , Jesse Smollett , Omar Jimenez , Chicago , Friends , Prosecution , Particular , Cross Examination , Noose , Neck , 2019 , January 2019 , Rope , Apartment , Tampering , Car Ride , Some , Piece , First , Jesse Smollett Allegedly , Times , Smoke Blunts , Hate Crime , Hoax , Bola , Point Blank , Encounters , Theories , Ola , Motive , Hate Crime Attack , Latest , Homophobia , U S Senator , Driver , Is Shonerring , Bob Dole , State , Nominee , U S Capitol On Thursday , 1996 , 98 , Tstints S , Dole , Greatness , U S Senate , Op Ed , Compromise , Decency , Legacy , Chapter , Qualities , Elizabeth , Memory , Condolences , Erin Burnett Outfront , Rest In Peace , Insider , Showdown , Human Rights Abuses , Mats , U S Plus , Out Front Next , Bay Jij , China Lashing , School Shooter , Let S Go Out Front ,