there's nothing wrong with saying that, you know, that you've recalculated. >> mr. president, the challenge that you have is the data you have is wrong. >> president trump on the phone with georgia officials on saturday trying to persuade them to chae the vote count ahead of this week's senate runoff and electoral vote certification. billions returning after traveling over holidays as fears of a post holiday spike sets in from coast to coast. the fbi seeking new leads on a national christmas bomber and asking the public for help.

looking at a methodist church in east texas the pastor killed and two others injured. this week begins the final episodes of trebek's this week the heart felt good-bye. >> and the final games of the playoff seasons are set. we'll bring you up to speed as we kick off the first week of 2021 "early today" starts right now as we do say good morning i'm kendis gibson. >> glad you're with us i'm frances rivera president trump trying to retain power. with over two weeks left in his term the president spent more than an hour on the phone saturday pleading with a republican secretary of state in georgia to overturn the election results. in a full audio obtained by nbc news mr. trump delivers a wave of false voter fraud claims and repeatedly chastises state owe fillings alls. kelly o'donnell brings us more.

>> reporter: inside a stunning new pressure campaign as president trump tries to overturn his election defeat. >> i just want to find 11,780 votes. >> reporter: nbc news obtained the full audio from an hour long saturday phone call with the president, trump advisers and georgia election officials. >> i think you have to say that you're going to re-examine it. >> exerting the influence of the presidency, mr. trump leaned on republican secretary of state brad raffensperger to announce a reversal of certified results from biden to trump. >> there's nothing wrong with saying that, you know, that you've recalculated. >> reporter: raffensperger refused. >> mr. president, the challenge you have is the data you have is wrong. >> reporter: in another tense exchange the president pushed a conspiracy theory that a voting machine company tampered with

ballots, even suggesting state officials hid illegal activity. >> now do you think it's possible that they shredded bull lots in fulton county because that's what the rumor is and also that doe min be ontook out the machines that dominion is really moving fast to get rid of their machinery. do you know anything about that? >> georgia lawyer ryan germany shot that down. >> no, dominion has not moved any machinery out of fulton county. >> no, but have they moved the inner parts of the machines and replaced them with other parts >> no. >> are you sure, ryan? >> i'm sure. >> the president threatened the georgia officials could face legal trouble themselves. >> you know what they did and you're not reporting it. that's a criminal -- that's a criminal offense that's a big risk to you and to ryan your lawyer, that's a big risk.

>> reporter: piling on partisan guilt. >> you should want to have an accurate election. >> we do believe we do have a partisan election. >> this is irrefutable proof of a president pressuring and threatening an official of his own party to get him to rescind a state's lawful certified vote count and fabricate another in its place. >> a full battalion of defense secretaries is sending a stark message this morning, leave the military out of the battle all ten living former defense secretaries penned an op ed saying involving the military in election disputes would cross into dangerous territory the former defense secretaries write that american elections and the peaceful transfer of power that result are hallmarks of our democracy and this year should be no exception adding

the time for questioning the results has passed and they called on the current defense department to carry out the transition to the new administration fully and transparently. same quote, this final action is in keeping with the highest traditions and professionalism of the u.s. defense. more than 20.7 million infections have been confirmed it was only thursday that the u.s. surpassed 20 million cases and more than 352,000 lives have been lost to the virus overseas today is a pivotal effort in a worldwide vaccination effort the u.k. is beginning to roll out the vaccine made by astrazeneca and oxford university boris johnson said restrictions are going to get tougher that is a major concern in the u.s. as well especially with so

many people traveling. we are joined from laguardia airport. >> frances, good morning even though the trav if i can coming through laguardia has waned and waxed. the line for the testing here, free testing, we've seen 100 to 150 people in line throughout the entire day this is all part of new york's strategy to try to get as many travelers tested as possible to stop the spread. we have seen the numbers explode. 11.3 million travelers between december 22nd and january 3rd. some folks leaving town and we asked why they felt comfortable. >> we got tested even though it wasn't something that was required to go into mexico

we prepared with facemasks, face coverings. >> we've been in isolation for seven or eight days. we wanted to take a rapid test to kind of confirm what we suspect so it's a -- you know, it's a probability game but it's one we're obviously willing to take. >> reporter: we are starting to see more and more cities across the country enacting more travel guidelines as the numbers continue to see explosive growth with the pandemic. experts tell us we're really not going to see the full effects of this travel holiday for the next two to three weeks, likely a million travelers coming through on these last couple days as well frances. >> cori, thank you. now to an ongoing investigation in east texas. the pastor of a church has died. he was shot by a suspect hiding inside the church overnight. the 21-year-old suspect has been identified he apparently hid after a police chase on saturday. the pastor, his wife, two others

found him hiding in the bathroom on sundaymorning the police say that's when the pastor pulled out a firearm and told him to leave and to stop. he disarmed the pastor and shot him with his own pastor. he then stole the pastor's vehicle but was arrested shortly after following the chase and officials said he suffered a gunshot wound to thehand two others in the church were also treated for injuries. the fbi is still looking into a motive for the national christmas day bombing. and as the search continues, investigators are looking to speak with people who may have been in contact with the bomber believed he mailed his writings to people he knew before the explosion. here's sarah harmon. >> reporter: the first ariel images revealing the extent of the images from the christmas day bombing in nashville roofs torn apart, building's faces torn off the bomber, 63-year-old anthony quinn warner sent material to

acquaintances before the blast a law enforcement source close to the investigation tells nbc news they are aware of a thumb drive and written pages from the bo bomber the fbi asking anyone who received them to come forward. >> we have heard about these letters. we've heard of his conversations and maybe some conspiracies, but we still don't know why he chose this place and this day to commit this massive bombing. >> reporter: he was found blaring music and a warning before an explosion. only he was killed in the blast. investigators are exploring several conspiracy theories as potential motives behind the bombing outside an at&t building including evidence the bomber believed in lizard people and the reptilian conspiracy >> so for all of the people that believe in conspiracy theories, oftentimes they don't have the means to execute a violent

attack or not sure how to do it. >> reporter: nashville residents are struggling to move forward after more than 40 businesses were damaged, several beyond repair a tattoo studio totally destroyed. surveillance video capturing the moment of the blast, the destruction immeasurable. >> i haven't slept in over a week i'm constantly tired. >> reporter: as authorities search for answers, nashville residents who lost their homes and businesses are facing a new year and an uncertain future sarah harmon, nbc news let's turn now to nbc meteorologist janessa web who has a look at the week ahead hi, janessa. good morning. >> hi. pretty dicey weekend across the week end yesterday was a rain and snow mixture. that will push off shore boston still dealing with lingering snow showers watching another system quickly approaching, the pacific

northwest. this will cause heavy rain from portland all the way into the northern tip of california right now our forecast model calling for 2 to 3 inches of rain in the afternoon and the higher elevaons dealing withtioe northeast into cleveland the high of 36 nice treat warmer temperatures on the way we'll take a look at that coming up >> can't wait to hear about it. covid-19 vaccine appointment that turned into a marriage proposal for one health care couple robby vargas cortez was scheduled to get his vaccine and knew his vaccine administrator was there. one of them, a registered nurse

was all set to give his injection and noticed that vargas had literally something up his ring. so of course the answer is yes you see and hear all of the shrieking and excitement and this is how they do it even in the covid world there is still romance. >> did he get the vaccine? >> that's a good point >> if he had said no does he not get the second round >> i think in this case it's win, win, win. >> there's a big hug. >> congratulations and good luck. when we return, the nfl playoff picture. i think it's a little bit more of a focus >> golden state stef curry explodes on the court in points against portland for you, for the whole family. trusted soothing vapors, from vicks

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philadelphia to punch their postseason the eagles tried to play spoiler with jalen hurts running it in to make it a three-point game. in the fourth down by 3 the eagles turn to backup qb, decision coach doug pedersen said was his alone washington gets the win 20-14. washington's win gave them the nfc east despite going 7-9 >> that is pitiful but we'll take it in d.c. in cleveland the browns fended off a late steelers comeback to secure the team's first trip to the playoffs since 2002 what were you doing in 2002? take care of business and beat pittsburgh 24-22 in buffalo the single season passing record with an exclamation point he threw 224 yards and three touchdowns and was helped by isaiah mckenzie

taking a punt to the house it's a 28 point second quarter the bills blow the dolphins out of the water, 56-26. not bad at all the bills might be for real this year. miami's loss and the colts win over the jaguars puts indy in as the final wild card team tom brady and the bucs visiting washington and the browns/steelers rematch. warriors stef curry had an historic night he scored 62 points. it is the first time a ceaeme tn he's scored over 50. this breaks his previous career high of 54. >> to which many of his teammates were like, wow, we're open you can pass the ball to us. we have much more ahead on

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coming up on "today," celebrating the life and legacy of the life of "jeopardy" host alex trebek. >> before he passed away he taped the final week which will be airing today. he's left a pointed message for

fans anne thompson has the story. >> this is "jeopardy." >> reporter: this week "jeopardy" fans will watch alex trebek take the stage for the last time. >> thank you, ladies and gentlemen. >> reporter: but it will be different. trebek starting with a powerful message that surprised executive producer mike richards. >> he comes out and gives this absolutely amazing speech about the tough times that we're in and the importance of us as a country, as a community, humanity coming together and being there for each other. >> reporter: all the more amazing because just 11 days before it was taped in october trebek had undergone surgery. >> you have to understand that alex was telling us i'm going to be fine and every time we would hear news from him that things were bad, he would just come back stronger. >> and here is your clue. >> reporter: trebek announced his pancreatic cancer diagnosis in march 2019. >> the prognosis for this is not

very encouraging, but i'm going to fight this. >> reporter: continuing to host the show he loves collecting accolades. >> i learned english because of you. >> what is we love you, alex thank you. >> and it just so caught him off guard. >> but he was not an emotional guy, and for something to penetrate the armor, and that armor was thick, was amazing >> reporter: through more than three decades of hair styles and fashion, facial hair and not, trebek's persona stayed consistent, authoritative, prepared, polished to the end even as his voice sometimes was weak. >> keep the faith, we're going to get through all of this. >> reporter: after taping the final five shows over two days trebek left the studio for the last time. he died ten days later on november 8th the legendary game show will carry on with guest hosts expected for the rest of the season starting with former champ ken jennings but trebek's

legacy will endure. >> he will forever be an inspiration for his constant desire to learn, for his kindness and for the love of his family. >> reporter: sentiments echoed by his wife jean, time is too precious to be spent on anything other than kindness. as her husband might say, what is good advice for the new year. anne thompson, nbc news. i tell them, you should try cascade platinum plus the power of oxi. cascade platinum + oxi breaks down food soils some detergents can leave behind, cleaning up to 99% of visible and invisible food residue then washing it away so it doesn't redeposit on your dishes. and oxi is cascade's most powerful clean, formulated with no chlorine bleach. for a deep, hygienic clean you can see and feel cascade + the power of oxi. that came from me. really. my first idea was "in one quarter of an hour, your savings will tower...

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back now with a story of a young man who never gave up his goals despite all odds his achievement remarkable and one he shares with the teacher who inspired him every step of the way. here's nbc's jose diaz-vallar. >> reporter: making history and preparing for a future he never imagined possible. you're the first latino daca recipient who has a rhodes scholar. >> and i don't want to be the last i definitely don't want to be the last one.

>> reporter: he was chosen from thousands for one of the most prestigious scholarships in the world. a chance to study at oxford university the award life changing because of the incredible odds against him. he was a dreamer, a daca recipient. he was brought to the u.s. by his parents. >> reporter: tell me what daca meant for you. >> daca came out in 2012 and it helped me not be eliminated from my choice of applying to colleges. >> reporter: he was born i colombia they fled to miami and for a time homeless but never without hope for him education was the way to a bright future. how many languages do you speak? >> nine. >> nine languages? >> yes. >> reporter: his love of learning ignited by a special mentor a teacher was key in your growth and in your life.

>> yeah. it was my gifted education teacher that i had from second to fifth grade. >> reporter: it was this teacher who made all the difference. a cuban exile who understood what he needed to get ahead. what's your first memory of santiago >> santiago was so eager to learn, to learn the language, to express himself in english. >> reporter: the two have stayed in touch ever since. >> she still is one of my life's biggest blessings. she really molded me into the type of thinker that i am today. >> reporter: the rhoades scholarship, the honor that was a team effort. >> when he writes to me he won, he says to me, we did it he says, we did it and i said, no, no, no, you did it it was you who did it. he said, no, we did it >> thanks to jose for that report and sharing the credit right there.

santiago tells jose he plans to study international relations at oxford university. literally, this kid has the world at his fingertips. >> such a good kid and making such an accomplishment >> so imprsi thanks foresve

i just want to find 11,780 votes. >> that continued for more than an hour. an hour-long recorded phone call featuring the president exerting pressure on georgia's secretary of state to announce a reversal of certified georgia results from biden to trump. we have the highlights straight ahead. as georgia voters will decide the balance of power for the entire federal government for this week's senate runoff. we'll tell you where things stabbed. this morning a