The following is a transcript of an interview with Dr. Deborah Birx, White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator in the first Trump administration, on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” that aired on Nov. 17, 2024. Source

President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team may bypass the FBI process and use a private firm to vet candidates for Cabinet picks who need top security clearance, The New York Times reports. Sue Gordon, who served as principal deputy director of national intelligence during Trump’s first term in the White House, tells “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” that she thinks that is a “bad strategy and risky for America.” Source

Dr. Deborah Birx, who served as White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator in the first Trump administration, tells “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” that while Robert F. Kennedy has sprouted debunked conspiracy theories about vaccines and autism as well as HIV and AIDS, he will have to bring his data forward in Senate confirmation hearings for Health and Human Services Secretary and it can be publicly questioned. Source

Gov. Andy Beshear, who won reelection in 2023 as a Democrat in a deep red Kentucky, tells “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” that there are “absolute lessons that we can learn” from his state as the party tries to regroup after President-elect Donald Trump’s victory. Source

Democratic Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut says he’s “skeptical” that Elon Musk has “got any clue” about government efficiency, despite that President-elect Donald Trump selected Musk to oversee a department on it. Source

Dynus Saxon was arraigned in Bronx criminal court in connection with the Nov. 10 killing of Kadeem Grant, the DA said. Source

Rep. French Hill, Republican of Arkansas, tells “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” that “the decision is theirs” about whether the House Ethics Committee should release their report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who resigned last week after being selected by President-elect Donald Trump to be Attorney General. Source

Tropical Storm Sara made landfall near Dangriga, about 55 miles southeast of the capital Belmopan, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center said. Source

The 18-carat Tiffany & Co. watch was given by three women survivors to Capt. Arthur Rostron for diverting his passenger ship, the RMS Carpathia, to save them and others after the Titanic struck an iceberg and sank in the north Atlantic. Source

There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s Disease. But some with Parkinson’s are finding that an unusual therapy – rock climbing – is helping them improve their balance, mobility, strength and cognition. Source