Week 204: December 13-19

Electors gather on Monday December 14.

The gathering of electors in all the states went smoothly despite some fears of violence and more legal wrangling. Also more GOP publicly accepted the results: The comments amounted to a notable and swift sea change in a body that for weeks has essentially refused to acknowledge the inevitable, although the shift was far from unanimous. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, stayed conspicuously silent on Monday, declining to acknowledge Mr. Biden’s victory.

Trump announced Bill Barr’s resignation on Monday. He will stay on until December 23.

Also on Monday the first vaccines were given to the public: The day played out in a remarkable fashion as television viewers watched images of health care workers receiving lifesaving injections juxtaposed with live shots from state capitals around the country showing electors casting votes formally confirming the victory of President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris.

On Tuesday McConnell did congratulate Biden from the Senate floor. Also this: A short time later, on a private call with Senate Republicans, Mr. McConnell and his top deputies pleaded with their colleagues not to join members of the House in objecting to the election results on Jan. 6, when Congress meets to ratify the Electoral College’s decision

Trump’s Job Approval: 43.5%

COVID Cases / Deaths: 17,592,760 / 315,260