Today's Top Political and Coronavirus News Compilation - Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Below are some of the top political news stories of the day:

GOP senators blast Trump's firing of election security official: 'A terrible mistake'

HHS secretary says department won't work with Biden's team until federal agency determines he won

GOP increasingly accepts Trump’s defeat — but not in public

Pfizer says it's communicating with Biden's team

‘Confusion and chaos’: Republicans denounce Trump’s latest purge

New fallout after Trump fires top cybersecurity official
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem explains stance on mask mandate, won't enforce 'to make people feel good'

Arizona's top election official decries violent threats over election results

Trump seeks to settle scores in final days

Trump digs in at White House, denying Biden access on pandemic, national security

Election 2020 live updates: Georgia nears recount completion; no more uncounted ballots found

‘Absolute right guy for the job’: New cyber chief takes reins amid the chaos

Trump targets vote certification in late bid to block Biden

Trump's legal adviser Jenna Ellis in 2016 called him an 'idiot' and said his supporters didn't care about 'facts or logic'
With transition stalled, Biden camp turns to former Trump administration officials

Biden says GSA should declare him the election winner

Georgia GOP senators tied with Dem challengers: Poll

Obama administration vet Psaki to lead Biden's Senate confirmation team

Newsom's cozy ties with top lobbyist showcased by French Laundry dinner party

Nominated for another Speaker term, Pelosi says it's her last

Trump's bid for Supreme Court election intervention has yet to materialize

Poll: More Americans happy Donald Trump lost than are happy Joe Biden won

Ethics experts and Trump critics call for Senate investigation into Graham's probe into presidential election
GOP effort to raise big bucks for Georgia Senate runoffs is a 50-state effort

Count Every Legal Vote — Then Certify Them, Too

Judge orders Trump administration to stop expelling children who cross border alone

Senate passes bill to secure internet-connected devices against cyber vulnerabilities

'It's embarrassing': Why New York is still waiting for full election results

Giuliani's first federal court appearance in decades got weird
Pelosi seems to signal this could be her last term as speaker

US election: Trump campaign seeks partial recount in Wisconsin

New Pentagon chief racing to make changes before Trump's exit

Booming population helped Dems in Georgia. Mississippi's 'brain drain' is keeping it red.

Republican who temporarily blocked certification of Detroit's results shared election conspiracy theories on Facebook

IRS races to get remaining stimulus checks to low-income households
Biden warns of another 200K dead from COVID by inauguration

Trump campaign transfers $3 million to Wisconsin for recount

Kevin McCarthy wants post-election voter fraud hearings

Senators push to stop Trump administration’s proposed arms sale to UAE

‘An illegal act’: Protesters condemn Pompeo’s West Bank settlement visit

DOJ plans three executions before Biden inauguration

Current and former Trump officials quietly reach out to Biden team

Pelosi: Covid relief should be kept separate from spending bill in Congress
Trump’s conspiracy claims will have long hangover

‘It’s complicated’: Biden team weighs whether to retain Deborah Birx

Senate investigators: Records 'confirm' Biden family links to China, Russia
Democratic representatives say Hispanic populations losses reflect party's poor messaging

Local GOP officials keep pushing fraud claims as election results are finalized

6 lawmakers in 5 days: COVID-19 infections put spotlight on Congress’ lax guidelines

Half of Republicans say Biden won because of a 'rigged' election: Reuters/Ipsos poll

Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr. amplified claims of election fraud, analysis shows
Democrats vent to Schumer over Senate majority failure
Trump firing of Chris Krebs after comment rebutting fraud allegations brings backlash

As cases surge, Congress sounds pessimistic about a new relief package

Biden rebuffs Democratic push to prosecute Trump

Inoculations by December? States aren’t so sure.

Biden fills his West Wing. The Cabinet will wait
Live Updates: All eyes on Georgia amid Senate races, recount

President Trump's defeat may give Supreme Court a rest from personal, policy lawsuits
Democrats to determine leaders after disappointing election

No Senate? No problem, progressive group says.

Biden to meet virtually with health care workers, Trump has no public events

House Democrats to hold leadership votes as Pelosi appears on track to win speaker nomination

How Biden Won: Ramping Up The Base And Expanding Margins In The Suburbs
Biden must look to executive action to fulfill vow to Black Americans

POLITICO Playbook: Is Trump done being president?

Korea expert discusses advancements in North Korea's nuclear missile program
Election 2020 Live Updates: Biden staffs up as Trump fires top election security official

GOP focuses on tightening election laws as lawsuits fizzle

For Immigrants, Election Promises Relief From An 'Atmosphere Of Terror'

Biden builds out White House senior staff with top campaign advisers

Boeing 737 Max approved for return to skies
Georgia election audit finds 3,039 more uncounted ballots in 2 counties

Michigan GOP backtracks after blocking Trump-Biden vote certification

‘He’s a Destructive Force’: Health Officials Want Scott Atlas Banished

Final U.S. offshore oil auction under Trump will test industry demand

Michigan GOP backtracks after blocking vote certification
Jones, Yates, Becerra among names floated for Biden attorney general
Favorites emerge as Latino leaders press Biden to appoint 5 Hispanics to Cabinet

Pelosi moves toward leading divided House Dems 2 more years

Pelosi could face mini-rebellion in bid for reelection as speaker

A rusty Giuliani returns to the courtroom on Trump’s behalf
Sen. Kennedy: Media's disparate treatment of Biden, Trump will 'undermine democracy'

Georgia elections chief says Trump 'suppressed' GOP vote, cost himself state

Trump lashes out in new bid to tarnish an election he lost

How China could strangle Biden’s agenda

As options dwindle, Trump allies ask court to halt Biden's win in Nevada

President Trump stays mostly out of view after election but is working, taking steps to, in part, poke Biden

Trump fires CISA Director Chris Krebs, claims statement on election security was 'highly inaccurate'

Deadline near for hand tally of presidential race in Georgia

Arizona GOP seeks to temporarily bar Maricopa Co. from certifying election results

Trump seeks final stamp on drug prices with sweeping rule

Loeffler and Warnock to participate in Georgia Senate debate

Michigan’s Wayne County certification deadlock leads to unanimous certification after allegations of racism

Anti-Trump Republican Gov. Larry Hogan appeals to 'exhausted majority' as he teases presidential bid

Georgia GOP fractured ahead of crucial Senate runoffs

A 'gift' from Trump? DOJ drops case against ex-Mexico defense secretary.

Biden’s DIY transition proceeds without Trump assistance

DHS cybersecurity head fired by Trump after he disputes election fraud claims

‘I’m not a f—ing socialist’: Florida Democrats are having a postelection meltdown

‘This is false’: Arizona secretary of state denies Lindsey Graham spoke to her as voter fraud row intensifies - Independent

Georgia investigating vote counting delayed by flooding in Democratic county

Lindsey Graham just crossed another line in defending Trump

GOP senator: Trump shouldn't fire top cybersecurity official

Michigan's Wayne County certifies election results after first failing to

Former pro-democracy lawmakers arrested in Hong Kong

Federal Judge Approves Landmark $8.3 Billion Purdue Pharma Opioid Settlement

FBI investigating Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton: Report

Iran urges US’s Biden to lift sanctions, rejoin nuclear deal

Cuomo blames drug companies, President Trump for speedy COVID-19 vaccines

Ted Cruz calls Democratic senator an 'arse' following Senate floor mask dispute

Biden’s big challenge: A growing racial wealth gap

Facebook's Zuckerberg says Kenosha post did not violate 'call to arms' policy

House approves legislation providing $750 million to boost US 5G efforts

Churches, synagogues ask Supreme Court to end coronavirus worship limits

Pennsylvania Supreme Court deals blow to Trump's election

Pompeo expected to visit Israeli settlement in parting gift

Running list: Which members of Congress have tested positive for COVID-19?

Photos emerge of Newsom inside posh restaurant amid coronavirus spikes

Dan Bongino leads the MAGA field in stolen-election messaging

Israeli air raids in Syria kill three soldiers, hit Iranian sites

Anti-trans hate crimes soared 20 percent in 2019 — but true numbers remain hidden

Haaland being vetted by Biden team for Interior secretary

Hungary And Poland Block EU Budget With Pandemic Relief Funds For Hard-Hit Nations

Exclusive: Counterterrorism agency increasingly eyes right-wing threats as Trump era winds down

Trump Didn’t Win the Latino Vote in Texas. He Won the Tejano Vote.

MS governor: 'Patriotic Education Fund' would combat 'socialist teachings'

Here are the key dates in the Georgia U.S. Senate runoff elections

Oil rises on hopes for delay in OPEC+ supply increase

Biden appoints two former lobbyists to senior staff

Biden, Modi pledge to strengthen US-India ties in phone call

GOP senators congratulate Harris on Senate floor

World shares slip as U.S. retail sales dampen vaccine euphoria

Ponzi scheme suspect uses underwater scooter to try and evade FBI in California

Led By Giuliani, Trump Campaign Effort To Stop Certification Falters In Pennsylvania

A new group pushes the post-Trump GOP to reject its 'lazy' devotion to tax cuts

Sen. Feinstein spotted walking around Senate without a mask

Wayne County reverses deadlock, certifies election results after initially handing win to GOP

Trumps to spend Thanksgiving at White House instead of traveling to Florida

Obama’s description of Indian leaders in memoir causes flutter

Britain to ban new petrol cars by 2030 on road to net zero emissions

Oregon Governor: Mitch McConnell Should 'Get Off His Duff' And Deliver Relief Funds

Conan O'Brien ends his long run in late night for a new show on HBO Max

McConnell wants deal this week on fiscal 2021 spending figures

China's irritated trade partners push back on coronavirus food tests

Video shows Quawan Charles leaving home: Officials

Former NFL player and Republican unseats Democratic Utah Congressman Ben McAdams

Coronavirus News and Updates:

Covid vaccine: Pfizer says '94% effective in over-65s'

As U.S. Reaches 250,000 Deaths From COVID-19, A Long Winter Is Coming
Coronavirus live updates: US passes 250,000 deaths, nearly 1 in 5 worldwide

Vaccines are moving fast. So is the virus.

Key pandemic relief programs are set to expire at the end of the year. No one knows what's next.

Group of Florida mayors call on DeSantis to issue mask mandate

In a major setback, New York City schools to shut down over parents' objections

Pfizer ends COVID-19 trial with 95% efficacy, to seek emergency-use authorization

Coronavirus Task Force privately offers dire warnings entering

U.S. medical leaders rebuke Trump, urge COVID-19 cooperation with Biden team

Fauci thinks Biden team wary of putting him in 'compromised position'

States tightening anti-virus restrictions amid case surge

Sinovac's COVID-19 vaccine induces quick immune response: study

North Dakota records world's highest COVID-19 mortality rate

Coronavirus Updates: Covid-19 cases are on the rise in all 50 states, NBC News data shows

FDA approves first COVID-19 test kit for home use

Mouthwash can kill COVID-19 in 30 seconds: Study

Task force warns of 'further deterioration' as pandemic worsens

Colorado Democrat Ed Perlmutter tests positive for coronavirus

EXPLAINER: What’s with the confusion over masks?

Nearly half of 83 people who attended Ohio wedding test positive for Covid-19

These GOP governors long resisted mask mandates and coronavirus rules. Now their states are in crisis.

Two vaccines, one piece of breakthrough tech: How mRNA fights the coronavirus

Analysis: Airlines scramble to prepare for ultra-cold COVID-19 vaccine distribution

As virus hits Italy’s south, some flee troubled health care

Tokyo reports record daily virus cases, outbreak locks down Australian state