President Donald Trump is slated to hand over control of the White House to President-elect Joe Biden in three days.
The House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump last Wednesday on an article for "incitement of insurrection" for his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol -- making him the only president to be impeached twice.
Here is how the scene is unfolding. All times Eastern.
Jan 14, 2021, 12:34 PM EST
White House official to lawmakers on impeachment: 'Knock it off'
Director of the White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Peter Navarro, in an interview with Fox Business Thursday, blasted the House's impeachment vote as a "travesty" and blamed the Democratic Party for the country's violence.
"The Democratic Party did violence to this country by attacking a president, who I believe was legally elected on Nov. 3," Navarro said. "I would say to these people on Capitol Hill, knock it off, stop this. Let the man leave peacefully with his dignity."
White House advisor Peter Navarro leaves the West Wing of the White House with a photograph of President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 13, 2021.
Erin Scott/Reuters
The false and unsubstantiated belief that the presidential election was stolen from Trump played a large role in driving some of his supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol last week in a siege that left at least five people dead and Trump impeached for a second time.
Navarro went on to predict if the election were held again "today," Trump would be elected, and added, "If he runs in 2024, he will be elected then."
-ABC News' Elizabeth Thomas
Jan 14, 2021, 12:24 PM EST
Preliminary plan to close National Mall on Inauguration Day
There is a preliminary plan to close the entire National Mall to the public for Inauguration Day amid security concerns, ABC News has confirmed.
The Washington Post was the first to report on the development, but The National Park Service has said it will make an announcement on the Mall following ongoing discussions with the Secret Service, the Biden Inaugural team and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
Traditionally, members of the public gather on the National Mall -- bookended by the Capitol building and Lincoln Memorial -- for viewing of the inauguration on large jumbotrons.
Security around the National Mall is heightened with new fencing following Pro-Trump riots on the Capitol building and ahead of the inauguration on Jan. 13, 2021 in Washington.
Jasper Colt/USA TODAY
But the Mall's potential closure comes in the wake of a violent seige on the U.S. Capitol building last week, which left at least five people dead, and amid heightened security concerns regarding armed protests being planned ahead of Biden's inauguration on Jan. 20.
Security preparations for next week have already increased with up to 20,000 National Guard troops authorized to provide security at the Capitol and around Washington, D.C., for next week's ceremony, according to a Defense Department official.
Members of the National Guard rest in the Capitol Visitors Center, Jan. 13, 2021, in Washington, D.C., ahead of an expected House vote on impeaching President Donald Trump for a second time.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
Bowser has already warned visitors to stay away from the District for the inauguration due to threats of both the coronavirus pandemic and of violence.
Editor’s Note: A previous version of this post reported that the entire National Mall would be closed to the public for Inauguration Day amid security concerns. The text has been updated to reflect the fact that the closure is only a preliminary plan.
-ABC News' Dee Carden and Josh Margolin
Jan 14, 2021, 11:59 AM EST
Republican governor who faced Trump's wrath to attend Biden inauguration
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, has announced he will attend Biden’s inauguration after weeks of attacks from Trump for signing the certification of Arizona's election results affirming Biden's narrow win in the state.
“It doesn't matter who you supported in the election — once the election is over, we put country before party. Never has it been more important than right now to observe these traditions for the whole world to see," Ducey said in a statement Thursday.
"I was honored to represent Arizona at the inauguration of President Trump in 2017, and I am honored to represent our state at the 59th Inaugural Ceremonies next week. President-elect Biden is assuming office at a critical time in our nation’s history, and I wish him well," he added.
The Arizona Republican Party is scheduled to meet a few days later on Jan. 23, when members will vote on censuring some apparent party foes including Ducey, Cindy McCain and former Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz.
-ABC News' Meg Cunningham
Jan 14, 2021, 11:00 AM EST
Overview: Trump faces 2nd impeachment trial, Biden assumes office in less than a week
On one side of Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., President Trump -- now the only president in history to be impeached twice -- faces another Senate trial following the House charging him Wednesday with one article of impeachment for "incitement of insurrection." Shortly after 10 Republicans sided with Democrats for the vote, Trump released a video from the Oval Office condemning the violence at last week's Capitol riot, which he called a "calamity," but he did not address impeachment.
Workers unload pallets of unfolded boxes at the Executive Office Building on the White House grounds in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 13, 2021.
On the other side of Pennsylvania Avenue stands what's now become a crime scene -- the U.S. Capitol complex. By this weekend, up to 20,000 National Guard troops, many armed, will be deployed to the area amid heightened security concerns and ahead of Biden’s inauguration. Inside the Capitol, metal detectors were installed to enter House chamber earlier this week, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced plans to fine members who don't comply with the new protocol up to $5,000.
Members of the National Guard are given weapons before Democrats begin debating one article of impeachment against President Trump at the Capitol, in Washington, D.C., Jan. 13, 2021.
Joshua Roberts/Reuters
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell signaled Wednesday that Trump's Senate trial should take place after Trump leaves office, saying he wouldn't call back the Senate ahead of its Jan. 19 return. McConnell also indicated Wednesday he's considering voting to convict the president, issuing a statement that says he has "not made a final decision." Pelosi has not publicly announced her timeline, but a source involved with deliberations told ABC News Wednesday she plans to send the article to the Senate next week.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi signs the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump in an engrossment ceremony before transmission to the Senate for trial on Capitol Hill, in Washington, Jan. 13, 2021.
Alex Brandon/AP
Biden, reacting to Trump’s second impeachment late Wednesday, expressed his hope that the Senate will be able to maintain a bifurcated schedule, allowing the trial to move forward along with his agenda -- a message his transition has been consistent on this week. But Democrats are facing the reality that Trump is still likely to loom large over Biden's first days in office.
On Thursday evening, Biden is slated to deliver remarks on the public health and economic crises from Wilmington, Delaware, and introduce his COVID-19 vaccine and economic relief proposal. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris is expected to join.
President-elect Joe Biden delivers remarks before announcing members of his cabinet that will round out his economic team in Wilmington, Del., Jan. 8, 2021.