Midst of the fastest, widest and longest surge of new covid infections yet. As we await the vaccines arrival here in the United States, the question is, whens it going to arrive . And how long is it going to take to slow the spread . And president elect joe biden decides who he wants to lead his department of the housing and urban development and the department of agriculture, as pressure intense nice over diversity. The question is, whos going to lead the Justice Department . Its way too early for this. Good morning, and welcome to way too early, the show that was kind of a little late after getting locked out of its office this morning. It was a plouffe overnight for our producers, but were all here. Im kasie hunt on this wednesday, december 9th and we will start with the new. Another blow to President Trumps chances to overturn the election this time from the Supreme Court where he pinned his hopes. The high court declined to pick up a republicans request for the certification of joe bidens vin in pennsylvania. The lawsuit claimed that the legislature of pennsylvania violated the constitution when it allowed no excuse voting by mail. The state Supreme Court already rejected the claim citing that the plaintiffs waited too long to challenge the law. It was enacted more than a year ago. The u. S. Supreme court did not explain why it was rejecting the claim, issuing a onesentence order that the application was denied with no noted dissents. So, there you have it. We can show you the entire decision there on the screen in that one page. Meanwhile, arizonas Supreme Court rejected the republican effort to overturn that States Election results and confirmed joe bidens victory there. A law seeking to have a judge void over 10,500 biden votes in the state. But an arizona Supreme Court upheld the lower court finding that there was no voter fraud. Another lawsuit pending in federal court against arizonas republican governor and secretary of state alleging, quote, massive Election Fraud and calling for Voting Machines to be seized. In response, the secretary of states lawyer called the allegation, quote, dystopian fiction. Thats a pretty succinct way to put it. Oh, and its happening in texas, too. Texas attorney general ken paxton is petitioning the u. S. Supreme court to invalidate the Election Results in four battleground states won by joe biden based on allegations that have already been thoroughly debunked. Paxton isle challenging results in michigan, wisconsin and minnesota and pennsylvania. Michigan attorney general dana nestle, a democrat, called the action, quote, a publicity stunt. Remember, this is the Texas Attorney general. Paxton alleges without evidence that there were 84,000 forged signatures on absentee ballots in georgia. Nearly half of the Senate Backing the lawsuit along with a lot of georgias republican candidates in that january 5th runoff. Senators david perdue and Kelly Loeffler released a joint statement that reads in part, we fully support President Trumps legal recourses and attorney general paxtons lawsuit. This isnt hard and it isnt partisan. Its american. No one should ever have to question the integrity of our elections system and the credibility of its outcomes. Wisconsins attorney general said i feel sorry for texans that their tax dollars are being wasted. Meanwhile in georgia, republicans are tightening up voting laws in regards to the states high turnout. Seemingly undoing laws their own state created, the state released framework aimed at eliminating no excuse absentee voting. Adding a voter i. D. Requirement for voters with an eligible excuse and eliminating drop boxes. Theyre going to vote on the plan after the new year. Those same state lawmakers also called for an investigation into, quote, any and all fraudulent activities and for additional activities of the 2020 election. Georgia has found that president elect joe biden won by more than 12,000 votes. Joining us now, reporter for the Washington Post eugene scott. Euge eugene, good morning. Its always great to see you. Lets start with the big picture here, the Supreme Court issuing that one sentence rebuke saying, no, were not going to deal with this. Obviously, we just backed everybody through all of the other situations that are unfolding in these states. But the bottom line remains the same. And you are starting to see these splits between president s supporters and the state officials, many of them republicans, who are saying, no, we looked at this. We built this system it worked. But you still have people like david perdue and Kelly Loeffler saying, well, people cant trust this. And theyre the ones that are going to be on the ballot on gentleman january 5th. And its an eyeopening moment for many. One of the narratives that the republican lawmakers and Republican Leaders were in the hands and control of President Trump but this pushback at the moment suggests that may not be the case. Weve seen Republican Leaders stand up to him in ways we havent seen them stand up against him when in the white house. Obviously it benefits joe biden, but also leaders who will not just be lap dogs, for lack of a better word, to their party leaders. This has been the case of how weve seen the Supreme Court respond. One of the things that President Trump reportedly told his supporters, he needed to get judges that they like, that would rule in favor of ideas and actions that benefit them. What were seeing right now, especially with the Supreme Court, that doesnt always mean siding with President Trump, and thats a bit of relief for those who have been fearful that the president could influence the courts to a degree that made things unjust for those outside of his tribe. What does this look like politically as we head into the new year . I mean, joe biden, we know, is going to be inaugurated on january 20th. They are planning the inaugural festivities, although republicans in Congress Still have trouble admitting its going to be joe biden taking that oath and not donald trump. But we saw how the president handled the runoff rally in georgia where he talked about the election being rigged. Theyre starting to call this the stop the steel rallies. Do you get the sense this is something he continues as hes out of office, sowing that doubt, using that as a grievance to weaponize whatever his next political future is . I mean do you see this continuing to have this kind of motivating effect for his base . Or does being in exile prevent him from being able to do that . Hes absolutely going to continue this. And the reality is, because its fruitful for him. Republican voters are lock and step with the president , even if we dont see republican lawmakers and other elected officials siding with him. Hes someone who wants to remain relevant and will, because hes arguably the most popular republican in the party and so he has great influence. And this gives him a narrative to stay visible and active and continue to influence the gop and what were seeing with some of the laws proposed by these southern states. He actually is leading some individuals to reconsider what voting looks like by pushing for a voter fraud narrative that has no evidence. So, its going to be a challenge for those outside of the gop, especially those on the left, to continue to push back on this idea because the president s not going to continue communicating that he believes something wrong happened to him. All right. The Washington Posts eugene scott, thank you as always, for getting up early to talk through all of that. And still ahead here, President Trump signs an executive order aimed at prioritizing coronavirus shipments to americans before other countries. But it seems like its basically symbolic. Plus, a look at where Coronavirus Relief negotiations stand as the white house makes a new offer to democrats. Well have those stories and a check of your weather, when we come right back. Before voltaren arthritis pain gel, my husband would have been on the sidelines. 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You can shop the latest phones, bring your own device, or trade in for extra savings. Stop in or book an appointment to shop safely with peace of mind at your local xfinity store. Jackson keeps, gets it and goodbye touchdown, Lamar Jackson, right up the gut mvp quarterback Lamar Jackson has returned after testing positive for covid19 helps baltimore run past dallas last night. That 37yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Part of his 94 yards on the ground and the teams 295 yards in total rushing gives the ravens their first lead of the game. And they never looked back. Jackson tossed another two touchdowns and rookie running back j. K. Dobbins rushed for a score as baltimore snapped a threegame skid and keeps the playoff hopes alive with a 1723 victory over the cowboys. And after an outbreak that landed more than 20 players on the covid reserve list, baltimore receiver dez bryant did not get to face off with his old team after being ruled with an illness. Bryant who had an inclusive test, was pulled off the field for a retest which returned positive and he was sent home. Bryant later confirmed the diagnosis on twitter. No ravens players were identified as highrisk contacts and all other players returned negative tests administered earlier in the day. Despite all of that, the nfls midnovember move to put all 33 teams under intensive protocols appear to be paying off. A total of 45 personnel and 18 players tested positive last week marking a nearly 50 drop from the previous testing period and the lowest since the end of october. Meanwhile, a story that is very close to my heart on the college gridiron. The seasonending grudge match known as the game between michigan and ohio state wont be played for the first time in more than 100 years. After the wolverines called off the contest because of a rising number of coronavirus cases in its program. We are thinking of all of you. The cancellation puts the buckeyes at just five games played this season. One game under the threshold put forth by the big ten thats needed to compete in the conference championship. Were all very concerned about the michigan players health, so i will refrain from focusing on my intense loyalty to the blue. And intense dislike of ohio state, as we turn to National Soccer headlines. Where yesterdays Champions League between psg and istanbul was suspended after players from both teams walked off the pitch, after using racist language to identify a black coach. Uefa is conducting an investigation and the match will resume with new officials. Finally, Cristiano Ronaldo got the victory over barcelona. It was the first meeting between the worlds top players in two years since rinaldo left real madrid in 2018. Time for weather, lets go to meteorologist bill karins for a check on the forecast. Bill, good morning. Hey, good morning, kasie. A little snow in the northeast. I dont think youll get it in the d. C. Area, we will see possibly snowflakes in areas like new york city. So everywhere in blue shows where well have light snow. If youre driving heading out early especially from beautiful, rochester, syracuse, the finger lakes, heading towards albany, thats where we have slick parts on the roads. Heres the snowfall projection. Its not a blockbuster event. Just light snow. Notice were not noting any accumulations around new york city or Hudson Valley until albany. But the finger lakes area, from cortland, thats who could get snow out of this. The rest of the country, what a forecast this is. I mean, this doesnt even look like a forecast youd see in december. 70s for as far north as oklahoma city. 50s from chicago to montana. Tomorrow looks pretty nice to the great lakes. Some of that cold air is heading to the east coast through thursday. Kasie looks like rain on the east coast especially on sunday. Its going to be in the 50s and 60s. No sign of any snow prolonged. Ive got a couple weeks to be happy about the warm before i start wishing for snow around christmastime. Bill karins, thank you, as always, my friend. Well see you tomorrow. Still ahead here, another person in President Trumps orbit tests positive for coronavirus and there are concerns others may be affected, too, after a recent Christmas Party at the white house . Why . Why have Christmas Parties at the white house . The rest of us are not. Were back in just a moment. Thats whats up we have an assistant locker room manager . Help protect your clothes with new downy defy damage. With acetaminophenction fights pain in two ways. Advil targets pain at the source. While acetaminophen blocks pain signals. The future of pain relief is here. New advil dual action. Honey honey . New nyquil severe honey is maximum strength cold and flu medicine with soothing honeylicious taste. Nyquil honey. 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That was President Trump dismissing concerns about large parties taking place at the white house in the middle of the pandemic. And this, of course, comes yet as another member of the president s inner circle has tested positive for the coronavirus. This time, its his lawyer jenna ellis. Rudy giuliani confirmed the diagnosis while he himself is recovering from the virus. And now there are concerns that jenna may have infected many other people because she attended a Christmas Party on friday. Ellis is not seen wearing a mask raising concerns it could turn into another superspreader. Nbc news has confirmed more than 50 people connected to the president and white house tested positive for the virus throughout the pandemic. President trump held a congratulatory summit yesterday to tout u. S. Progress on Coronavirus Vaccine production in the midst of damning reports that it passed on millions of Pfizer Vaccine, trump signed an executive order demanding that the Companies Prioritize america over other countries and threatened the defense production act. And trump refused to back down when asked about joe bidens administration. Why not include members of the Biden Administration in the summit today. We have to see who the next administration is because we won in swing states and there were terrible things that went on. The work that went on is incredible. And it will be incredible for the next administration. And hopefully, the next administration will be the Trump Administration. Spoiler, its not going to be. Before the event, operation warm speed chief scientist slaoui expressed confusion of the order during his final month in office. Nbc news has obtained the latest Coronavirus Task force report which strikes an incredibly grim tone. According to the report, the current vaccine implementation will not staeshubstantially red viral spread or hospitalizations until the 100 million americans with comorbidities can be formally immunized which will take until late spring. With the most rapid increase in cases, the widest spread of transmission with more than 2,000 counties in red zones sand the longest duration of rapid increase. Since the