Axios Today

There’s a deep spiritual tradition of African-American ministers preaching a social gospel that dates back to some of our earliest history as a nation. It was made most famous by Dr. King — but what does that look like now, half a century later?

The newly-elected Georgia senator, Rev. Raphael Warnock, will be the first member of the clergy in the Senate in four decades. He comes from the same pulpit that Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once occupied at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.

Yesterday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced 2020 was the second-hottest year on the planet. Though it hasn't reached the record-breaking temperatures of 2016, it likely was very close.

• Plus, just how many voters continue to back President Trump.
• And, a therapist helps us process our collective grief.

The House of Representatives voted to impeach President Trump for incitement of insurrection following the mob siege of the U.S. Capitol last week, making him the only president in U.S. history to have been impeached twice.

Unlike the first time, this vote was bipartisan, with 10 House Republicans joining Democrats to vote in favor of impeachment.

• Plus, the U.S. is behind on genetic surveillance of the coronavirus.
• And, introducing Axios' audience bill of rights.

The FBI has warned of armed protests planned at all 50 state capitols and in D.C. next week, leading up to President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration. Now, officials in states like Michigan are increasing security measures and requesting the National Guard to keep their cities safe.

• Plus, how our digital lives feed mob mentalities.
• And, LA’s crucial week for COVID-19.

Guests: Axios' Sara Fischer — Lansing, Michigan City Council president Peter Spadafore — and L.A. Times coronavirus reporter Ron Lin.

Credits: "Axios Today" is produced in partnership with Pushkin Industries. The team includes Niala Boodhoo, Sara Kehaulani Goo, Dan Bobkoff, Carol Wu, Cara Shillenn, Nuria Marquez Martinez, Naomi Shavin and Alex Sugiura. Music is composed by Evan Viola. You can reach us at podcasts@axios.com.

Go deeper:

• State capitols go on high alert
• The science of mob thinking
• What next few weeks look like as virus surges in L.A. County

As Congress moves forward with impeachment proceedings, corporate America is pulling the plug on political donations.

First, it was Big Tech banning President Trump from social media sites. Now large companies like BP, Dow and Marriott International are cutting off political donations. Some like Dow and Marriott said they won’t donate to lawmakers who voted to object to the Electoral College certification. Others like BP are pausing all political contributions.

• Plus, how to navigate a new rule on hospital prices.
• And, car buying moves into the 21st century.

House Democrats are planning to move forward with a second impeachment of President Trump this week, citing his role in Wednesday's attack on the Capitol as "incitement of insurrection." But the strategy behind impeaching and removing Trump from office goes beyond his presidency.

• Plus, the danger of Iran’s nuclear escalation.
• And, NASA’s hunt for extraterrestrial life.

The insurrection at the U.S. Capitol Wednesday was unlike anything the country has seen. Some members of Congress have called for President Trump's impeachment. At least nine Trump administration officials have resigned. Was this a major turning point in American politics?

• Plus, how QAnon fueled Wednesday’s riot.
• And, China's crackdown on democracy.

A mob incited by President Donald Trump overran the U.S. Capitol building Wednesday as lawmakers were planning to certify President-elect Joe Biden's election.

Members of Congress will meet today in a joint session to officially count electoral votes for the presidential election. This happens every four years after every presidential election. This year, it's getting much more attention because of the dozens of GOP senators and House Republicans planning to object to the electoral results from battleground States like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Georgia.

• Plus, Mike Allen's takeaways from the Georgia Senate runoff.
• And, the cold war of disinformation.

It's been about a month since the first COVID-19 vaccines were approved in the United States. The goal was to vaccinate 20 million Americans by the end of 2020, but less than a quarter of them have actually received their first dose. Some public health officials are suggesting that more people should receive first doses now even if that will delay the second. What does the science say about that?

• Plus, Dominion Voting Systems' CEO on its plans to sue for defamation.
• And, what should video chat look like in 2021?