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Supreme Court Rejects GOP's Request to Overturn Pennsylvania Election Results; Trump Insists Campaign Will Intervene in Texas Case Against Swing States; Warp Speed COO: I've Already Ordered Distribution of Syringes; 2 U.K. Workers Suffer Allergic Reactions to Pfizer's Vaccine; Biden Announces Historic Pick for Defense Secretary. Aired 1:30-2p ET

Aired December 09, 2020 - 13:30   ET

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

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BROOKE BALDWIN, CNN HOST: Well, President Trump has lost yet another attempt to overthrow a free and fair election as the Supreme Court denies a request from Pennsylvania Republicans to block certification of Joe Biden's win in that state.

This should be a fatal blow to the president's efforts, but he continues to air his grievances on Twitter.

Today, insisting his campaign with intervene in the case filed by the Texas attorney general. He is suing the swing states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Georgia.

Let's go to Kaitlan Collins, at the White House.

And, Kaitlan, here are my two questions. You know, number one, how many more times does President Trump want to lose to Joe Biden? And number two, when will Republican leaders publicly acknowledge that Biden won?

KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Those are both great questions. And it's unclear because the president has not been successful in changing results in a single state, much less, the several states he would need to actually change these election results. Yet, he is continuing, anyway.

And now, today, you see him distancing himself from that decision in Pennsylvania, saying it wasn't his case, even though it was filed by Republicans in Pennsylvania. And the president's legal team was touting that case.

And now, he is aligning himself with this new one in Texas. Though, it's seen as a long shot and the Michigan attorney general is dismissing it as basically just a ploy by Republicans to continue what they have been doing for the last several weeks. And so, what you are seeing is they are aligning with the president,

standing behind his false claims that this election was rigged.

And they were refusing to identify Joe Biden as the clear winner, even though states are certifying their results. Courts have rejected what the president and his allies have been filing.

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But, you know, look at what someone like Mitch McConnell, of course, Senate majority leader, said yesterday when asked when he is going to actually recognize as Biden as the president-elect.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Are you going to acknowledge Joe Biden is the president-elect?

SEN. MITCH MCCONNELL (R-KY): This has become a weekly ritual. The Electoral College is going to meet on the 14th and cast a vote. And we're going to have a swearing in of the next president, on the 20th of January.

Why don't we concentrate on what we have to do the next two weeks?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COLLINS: Brooke, the only reason it's become a weekly ritual is because people like McConnell will not recognize Biden as the winner, even though they recognized Donald Trump as the winner long before his win was certified in 2016.

But something else we should note, as we are watching the president continuing to deny reality, we are seeing him tighten his grip on the party.

Something that's been this effort underway for several years, now. But we are really seeing it culminate in this effort to deny the results of the election.

Look at what Mike Johnson, a congressman from Louisiana did today. He sent out an e-mail asking all the Republicans in the House and the Senate to join on a brief for that Texas lawsuit, the lawsuit trying to delay the certification of the results as they are suing several of these states.

And he said, in his e-mail, that he was personally asked by President Trump to do so. That President Trump is looking at what names are going to be signed onto that brief.

So, the president is paying close attention to which Republicans are backing up his false claims of a rigged election and which ones are not.

BALDWIN: And that Texas A.G., correct me, has been indicted on securities fraud? I'm not putting two and two together. I'm just pointing out a fact.

Kaitlan Collins, at the White House. Kaitlan, thank you.

Any moment, now, President-Elect Joe Biden will introduce his historic pick for defense secretary. Live pictures there. Testing the podium. We will look for Team Biden, in just a moment.

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BALDWIN: Just into CNN, a sign of just how confident Operation Warp Speed is that the FDA will issue emergency-use authorization for this Pfizer vaccine, listen now to chief operating officer, General Perna, from moments ago.

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GEN. GUSTAVE PERNA, COO, OPERATION WARP SPEED: I gave permission to already distribute syringes and needles, alcohol wipes, and dilutant, which is required in support of the Pfizer vaccine. We'll begin that today. It will be -- distribution will be completed by Friday.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: Leaders there also emphasized they would be more than happy to get the vaccine on television just to ensure public confidence in this vaccine rollout.

As for the U.K. and its historic rollout of the world's first coronavirus vaccine, they have suffered a bit of an unexpected complication.

Two healthcare workers who received the Pfizer vaccine developed allergic reactions. And now, U.K. health officials have issued new guidance and launched an investigation.

So let's go to London to our colleague, Phil Black.

And so, Phil, did -- did both of these frontline workers have an existing history of allergic reactions?

PHIL BLACK, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. That's right, Brooke.

So of the thousands of people to be vaccinated so far in this country, all of them, people over 80 or frontline medical staff, two health workers, as you say, have had what's described as an adverse reaction.

Both of them have history of significant allergic reactions. Both of them, we're told, carry with them an adrenalin auto-injector everywhere they go just in case.

Now we don't know the specific symptoms they suffered but we're told they received treatment and they are now fine.

But the U.K. medicines regulator as a precaution has issued new advice, which says people who fit that same profile, who have a history of significant allergic reactions triggered by food, medicines, or vaccines, they should not have this vaccine yet.

They are investigating. They will then issue new guidance.

The National Health Service here, Britain's health service, says that advice like this is common, when dealing with new vaccines -- Brooke?

BALDWIN: The -- the makers, Phil, of this vaccine have come out and said, and this is a quote, that "there are no serious safety concerns."

What have they said about this specific U.K. investigation?

BLACK: So they are supporting the investigation, they say. cooperating.

But you're right. They make the point that, in their phase three clinical trial, they say of the 44,000 people to have taken place, there have been no serious health concerns.

We know from --

(CROSSTALK)

BALDWIN: Hang on, Phil.

Let's go. Here he is. President-elect Joe Biden.

JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE UNITED STATES: Please, be seated.

Good afternoon.

Today, it's my great honor -- and it really is an honor -- to add to my national security team a leader of extraordinary courage, character, experience, and accomplishment.

And a man, who I have seen some of the more interesting parts of the world with when I was vice president.

Someone with whom I have worked closely for many years. And I have seen perform to the highest standards under intense pressure.

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Someone, who I hold in the highest, personal regard, as a man of great decency, and a man of dignity.

In my judgment, there's no question that he is the right person for this job at the right moment, leading the Department of Defense at this moment in our nation's history.

He's led major coalitions of allies and partners to fight terrorism. And it took some real diplomatic capacity to get that done.

He's overseen some of the most complex, logistical efforts ever undertaken by the United States military, helped end a war, and literally bring tens of thousands of troops home safely.

He's loved by the men and women of the armed forces, feared by our adversaries, known and respected by our allies.

And he shares my deeply-held belief in the values of America's alliances. And he is just as committed as I am to rebuilding and modernizing those alliance, from the Asia Pacific to Europe and around the world.

Through sheer determination and extraordinary skill, he's been breaking down barriers and blazing a trail forward in this nation for many years, now. For more than 40 years.

And he has a long way to go, and he's going to do it again.

And so, today, I'm honored to nominate former general, Lloyd Austin, as a 28th secretary of defense.

I'm going to thank you, General. You're a friend.

But I want to thank you, General Austin, for, once more, stepping forward to serve your nation.

This is not a -- a post he sought. But I sought him.

And I want to thank you, you and your family for, once again, sharing you with our country. And thank Charlene.

Today, I know how proud all of -- they all are of you. All four of your children. Your older sisters and your brother.

I knew the reason why you were a good man, you had to have sisters to raise you along the way, right? I know mine did, me. And she's much younger.

And -- and your incredible wife, Charlene. And I mean that sincerely.

Tomorrow, I'm told, that Jill and Charlene are going to spend some time together, sending off packages to our soldiers abroad. She and Jill are both passionate about supporting military spouses and families. And I know they'll be powerful advocates for that community, together.

And, you know, they're going to both be working at the White House and Defense Department together to make sure our families -- I said before, General, America only has many obligation, one sacred obligation, to care and equip those we send to war, to care for their families when they're gone, and to care for them when they come home and their families.

I got to know General Austin during my early days as vice president. President Obama had charged me with overseeing the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom and ensuring the orderly withdrawal of our forces and equipment from Iraq.

General Austin was with me on the ground. Not just for troops or for military-strategy sessions. He was there when I was working with Iraq, political leaders.

I watched his political skill, how he dealt with them. They respected him. Across the board.

When I met with the leaders of our coalition partners, the same thing.

And he was there during one, particularly memorable incident, when we were at a meeting at the ambassador's residence in the Green Zone. The insurgents lost -- launched a rocket attack on the house.

And, of course, General Austin was just another day at the office. He just sat there, kept right on going. So, I sat there and kept right on going. Everyone are: What the in the hell are they doing?

But, you know, he's cool under fire. Inspiring the same in all those around him. That's Lloyd Austin.

He was the person President Obama and I entrusted with the incredible task of bringing home America's forces and redeploying our military equipment, safely, out of Iraq.

It was the largest, logistical operation undertaken by the Army in 60 years. Getting it done required much more than military know-how.

General Austin was a diplomat. It was not an easy task. He built relationships with our Iraqi counterparts and with our coalition partners.

He was a statesman representing our country with a skill at -- at -- that, you know, at tables that I've sat with him, with foreign leaders, and I wondered whether or not he was from the State Department or from the Defense Department.

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Both, military and civilians. I'm not exaggerating. He has a way about him. And always, above all, he's looked out for his people. That's why he was

In this time in the United States Army, Lloyd Austin met every single challenge with extraordinary skill and profound personal decency. He's the definition of duty, honor, country.

And at every step, he challenged the institution that he loved to grow more inclusive and more diverse. He was the 200th person ever to retain the rank of four-star general, but only the sixth African- American to ever do that.

He was the first African-American general officer to lead the Army Corps in combat.

He was the first African-American to command an entire theater of war.

And if confirm, he will be the first African-American at the helm of the Defense Department in well over 200 years. Another milestone. And his barrier-breaking career has been throughout his career. He retired more than four years ago, but the law states that an

officer must have left the service seven years before becoming secretary of defense.

There's a good reason for this law that I fully understand and respect.

I would not be asking for that exception if I did not believe this moment in our history didn't call for it. It does call for it. And if I didn't have the faith I have in Lloyd Austin to ask for it.

I believe in the importance of civilian control of the military. So does the Secretary-Designee Austin.

He will be bolstered by a proud and power of sector, senior officials working to shape DOD's policies and ensure that our policies are accountable to the American people.

That dynamic itself has been under great stress the past four years. I know that Secretary-Designee Austin will work tirelessly to get it back on track.

I have personally worked with this man. I have seen him lead American fighting forces on the field of battle.

I have also watched him faithfully carry out the orders of the senior leadership in this nation.

There's no doubt in my mind, not any doubt whatsoever, whether this nominee will honor and respect, and on a day to day basis, breathe life into the preeminent principle of civilian leadership over military matters in our nation.

I know this man. I know his respect for our constitution. I know his respect for our system of government.

So just as they did for Secretary Jim Mattis, I asked the Congress to grant a waiver for secretary-designee Austin.

His many strengths and his intimate knowledge of the Department of Defense and our government I think are uniquely suited for the challenges we face now, the crisis we face now. He is the person we need at this moment in life.

Given the urgent threat and challenges of our nation's forces, he should be confirmed swiftly.

We need his experience and large-scale logistical operations to help support the swift and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.

We need his experience building and managing relationships, engaging in diplomacy with our partners to help rebuild American alliances and strengthen our shared security.

And we need his firsthand knowledge of the immeasurable cost of war and the burden it places on our servicemembers and families to help bring to an end the forever wars and ensure the use of force is the last tool in our toolbox.

The last tool resorted to, to protect our national security, not the first.

We need his deep understanding of the Pentagon to help reform the Defense Department.

We need his personal experience to help inform our efforts to ensure the armed forces reflect the full strength and diversity of our nation. That black, Latino, Asian-Americans, Native Americans, women, men, LBGT servicemembers are treated with dignity and respect.

You know, at a time when more than 40 percent of our -- listen to this. More than 40 percent of our active-duty forces are people of color. It's long past time the department's leadership reflects that diversity.

We need his in-depth understanding of what it takes to deter threats wherever they arise and to defend the American people, our vital interests, and our allies from harm, just as he did when he was designated to lead the strategy and together with the dozen department nations to ultimately crush ISIS.

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If you don't think that required some diplomatic skill putting that group together, then you don't understand what was going on. He did a heck of a job.

The threats we face today are not the same as though we faced 10 years ago or even five years ago.

We must prepare to meet the challenges for the future, of the future, not just keeping -- not just keeping fighting wars of the past.

We must build a foreign policy that leads with diplomacy, revitalizes the State Department, revitalizes our alliances. Putting American leadership back at the table and rally to meet the global threats, from pandemic to nuclear proliferation, to the refugee crises.

As part of our diverse national security leadership team, Lloyd Austin knows how to do this work.

Before I turn the podium over to the Secretary-Designee Austin, I want to end on a note of personal privilege.

As a leader, General Austin has always followed the advice given him by his first platoon sergeant.

As my son, Beau Biden, was a major in the military, I said, now you're a field-grade officer. He said, I don't have any illusions, dad. I know who runs the Army, platoon sergeants.

Here is what his platoon sergeant told him, quote, "If you focus on your people, take care of them, get out in front and lead them, they'll refuse to let you fail," end of quote. That's why he's inspired so many young people who worked for him and

give their very best to live up to his example of leadership, including, for a time, a young lawyer serving a year in Iraq as a captain with his Delaware National Guard unit, my son, Beau Biden.

I know how proud Beau was to serve on General Austin's staff.

I know under your leadership, General, the Department of Defense will advance the security of the American people in the way that always, always, always honor our highest values and ideals.

So thank you, again, General.

And God bless America. And may God protect our troops.

Now I'd like to turn it over to General Austin, the secretary-designee for the Department of Defense.

GEN. LLOYD AUSTIN, DEFENSE SECRETARY NOMINEE: Mr. President-Elect, and Madam Vice President-Elect Harris, thank you for your trust and your confidence and for the opportunity to serve as the 28th secretary of defense.

If confirmed by the United States Senate, it will be my sincere honor and privilege to return to the department and to lead our great servicemembers and civilians in accomplishing the mission of ensuring out our nation's security.

Back in 1877, a young man from the small town of Thomasville, Georgia, Henry Ossian Flipper, became the first African-American to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

After his commissioning, he was assigned to one of the Army's all- black regiments. He became the first non-white officer to lead the Buffalo Soldiers of the 10th Cavalry.

So, to fast forward to today, nearly 150 years later, another native son of Thomasville, Georgia, stands before you as the secretary of defense designee.

Now, many people have paved the way for me and countless others over the years to include Henry O. Flipper. I am supremely grateful to all of them for their courage, determination and for the example they set throughout.

They include the Tuskegee airmen, the Montford Point Marines, and many others.

[14:00:00]

And through my career, I've also been incredibly fortunate to benefit from the support and the mentorship of exceptional leaders, like