Second vaccine likely authorized this week while U.S. experiences grim reality of surging pandemic; Hundreds of Trump allies lobbying him for pardons; Pete Buttigieg to become first openly gay cabinet member; Congressional leaders on verge of $900b Covid relief deal with $600 stimulus checks included

Politico: top Trump appointee pushed herd immunity theory internally, said “we want them infected”; Trump fires back after McConnell congratulates Biden; Sources: Trump pushing for appointment of special counsels to probe Hunter Biden, 2020 election; Hundreds of Trump allies lobbying him for pardons; Trump considering pardons for more than two dozen people; Biden picks Pete Buttigieg as Transportation Secretary; Biden to get Covid vaccine publicly to show safety; Fake claims about election fraud escalate into violent incident involving former Houston police captain; Congressional leaders on verge of $900b Covid relief deal with $600 stimulus checks included

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