First: In exactly 12 hours, the federal government will shut down unless Congress acts fast. Speaker Mike Johnson claims he now has a plan. But does he have the votes? 

Plus: Who's the boss? Dana talks to a top Democratic senator about his party's negotiations behind the scenes, including why they think it is Elon Musk calling the shots in the GOP. 

And: Where's Joe? The current president is noticeably out of sight as the government he runs braces for a potential shutdown. We have new reporting on the waning days of President Biden's administration. 

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As today show begins, federal charges against Luigi Mangione, the man accused of murdering the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, have just been unsealed. Our coverage begins with CNN senior crime and justice correspondent Shimon Prokupecz. 

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First: Donald Trump issues a not-so-veiled threat against a political enemy, signaling he may follow through on his promise to use his power of the presidency to pursue his opponents. 

Plus: Matt Gaetz responds to a CNN report that the House Ethics Committee plans to release its report on his alleged sexual misconduct, saying the details that could could go public are embarrassing but not criminal. 

And: California governor or another shot at the oval office? New reporting on Kamala Harris's next act, including what her closest advisers think she'll decide. 

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First: It's RFK Jr.'s turn to pound the congressional marble as Donald Trump's pick for health secretary tries to convince key Republican senators to support his nomination despite conflicting views on one of the most important issues to the GOP: abortion. 

Plus: We take you to state capitals across the country as presidential electors cast their votes this hour to formalize Donald Trump's victory. 

And: Another community is in mourning after a 15-year-old girl opened fire in her Wisconsin school. 

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Today's show begins just after President-elect Donald Trump holds his first press conference since Election Day. 

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First: Honeymoon phase. Donald Trump taking a victory lap. But with controversial cabinet picks and a messy pressure campaign - Is it effective? How long will it last?

Plus: Uncertain path. Democrats look to find their footing in Trump's Washington -- fight tooth and nail. Or cut deals? Who will lead them back to power. We'll have new reporting about Kamala Harris's plans, and I'll talk to a candidate who wants to run the DNC.

And: A house divided. A GOP split over a bill protecting kids on social media. Speaker Johnson saying no. As Elon musk and Senate allies rally for it. Who holds the power in Trump's GOP?

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First: It's been 38 days since the election, and 38 days from now, President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath of office for the second time. We've got the latest on the transition, including how Pete Hegseth's path to confirmation is looking a bit smoother, while Robert F Kennedy Jr.'s may be getting a bit rockier. 

Plus: Trump says he may pardon January 6 rioters within minutes of taking office. We have new CNN reporting on whether that will include the hundreds of defendants accused of assaulting police officers that day. 

And: He may be the most powerful figure in Trump world that you have never heard of. We'll tell you about the 38-year-old conservative in charge of hiring thousands of Trump loyalists to staff the federal government. 

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First: For the second time, Time names Donald Trump "Person of the Year," giving him the recognition he craves while revealing crucial details about what America's health programs, justice system and foreign policy will look like when he takes the oath of office just 39 days from now. 

Plus: Democratic Senator John Fetterman says his party can't "freak out" about everything Trump does. Today, he'll sit down with the president-elect's controversial choice to lead the Pentagon - the first Democrat to meet with any of Trump's cabinet picks. 

And: Dana talks to a top Democrat about the FBI director's decision to step aside so Donald Trump can dramatically reshape the bureau in his image. 

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First: Results of a brand new CNN poll show most Americans approve of how Donald Trump is handling his transition to the White House, and are optimistic about his presidency. 

Plus: Officials now have forensic evidence tying Luigi Mangione to the exact spot UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down in Manhattan as investigators track down new clues about a potential motive. 

And: Rows of Lamborghinis and Ferraris are among the luxuries CNN saw in our inside look at former Syrian President's Bashar al-Assad's opulent palace. 

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First: We're getting new details about the investigation into a privileged young man charged with murdering one of the top business leaders in America, including how he was reported missing just weeks before the shooting. 

Plus: Last week, the Pete Hegseth nomination was on life support. Today, once- skeptical GOP senators appear to be rallying behind Donald Trump's pick to run the Pentagon. 

And: Dana speaks with a former hostage who spent 51 days in Hamas captivity. Her husband remains a prisoner. She shares excruciating details about the treatment she endured and has a message for both President Biden and President-elect Trump. 

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As today's show begins, police were questioning a 26-year-old man in Pennsylvania in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson earlier this week in New York City. CNN's Brynn Gingras and John Miller join Dana with the latest on the case. 

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