Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., joined ABC News’ “Start Here” to talk about the efforts in Congress to remove Trump from office and also described his experience at the Capitol during the riot, which also happened to be the day after his family had buried his son.

“We experienced a terrible family catastrophe and we had to bury my son on Tuesday. And then on Wednesday, I had to go in for the Electoral College count,” Raskin told ABC News' daily news podcast. “And our youngest daughter, Tabitha, said, ‘Daddy, don't go. I want you to stay home.’ And I said, I would love to be home, but I have to go in because this is a constitutional responsibility. And I've agreed also to be one of the floor managers for the Democratic side in debating these objections to the electors."

Raskin told “Start Here” that he brought Tabitha and a son-in-law who is married to his other daughter with him to the House chamber. They all had to shelter-in-place when the rioters broke into the Capitol.

“They ended up barricaded in a locked office off of ... the House chamber hiding under a desk as people pounded on the door. They heard the same sickening sounds I heard of people trying to barrel into the House chamber,” he said. "Listen to the stories of people who lived through this nightmare. You know, this is not some abstract question about Donald Trump just pocketing emoluments. He helped to unleash a furious savage mob on the Congress of the United States, our staffs, and in my case, on members of my family.”

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was expected to be presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom later this week, a White House official said, but in a statement released Monday evening, he declined it.

"Recently, I was offered the opportunity to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which I was flattered by out of respect for what the honor represents and admiration for prior recipients. Subsequently, the tragic events of last week occurred and the decision has been made not to move forward with the award," he said in the statement. "Above all, I am an American citizen with a great reverence for our nation's values, freedom and democracy. I know I also represent my family and the New England Patriots team. One of the most rewarding things in my professional career took place in 2020 when, through the great leadership within our team, conversations about social justice, equality and human rights moved to the forefront and became actions. Continuing those efforts while remaining true to the people, team and country I love outweigh the benefits of any individual award."

President Trump and Vice President Pence met in the Oval Office Monday evening, according to a senior Trump administration official.

It was the first time they had met since last week.

According to the official, "the two had a good conversation, discussing the week ahead and reflecting on the last four years of the administration's work and accomplishments."

"They reiterated that those who broke the law and stormed the Capitol last week do not represent the America first movement backed by 75 million Americans and pledged to continue the work on behalf of the country for the remainder of their term," the official said.

-ABC News' Ben Gittleson

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy said in a letter to Republican colleagues that he does not support the Democrats' effort to impeach Trump.

"Personally, I continue to believe that an impeachment at this time would have the opposite effect of bringing our country together when we need to get America back on a path towards unity and civility," McCarthy wrote in his letter that he sent Monday, obtained by ABC News.

Instead, he is pushing for four other alternatives to impeachment, including a resolution of censure under the rules of the House, a bipartisan commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack, reforming the Electoral Count Act of 1887 and legislation to promote voter confidence in future federal elections

-ABC News' Mariam Khan

Addressing the coronavirus pandemic, confronting the climate crisis and building public trust in science and technology will be among the Biden administration's key areas of focus, the president-elect said during a press briefing introducing four key members of his science team.

Building back the economy "to ensure prosperity is fully shared all across America" and ensuring the U.S. "leads the world in technologies and industries that the future" will also be a focus, Biden said Saturday during an address in Wilmington, Delaware.

Helping lead those initiatives will be Eric Lander, the presidential science advisor-designate, a position that for the first time will be a cabinet rank, Biden noted.

"I've always said that the Biden-Harris administration will lead with science and truth," Biden said. "We believe in both. This is how we're going to, God willing, overcome the pandemic and build our country back better than it was before. That's why for the first time in history, I'm going to be elevating the presidential science advisor to a Cabinet rank, because we think it's that important."

Frances Arnold and Maria Zuber will be at the helm of the first all-women team to lead the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

Alondra Nelson will also be deputy director for science and society for the Office of Science and Technology Policy.

Dr. Francis Collins, who was not present at the event, will also continue in his role as director of the National Institutes of Health.Biden thanked him for "being willing to stay on," saying that it wasn't his original plan.

"I've known Dr. Collins for many years. I worked with him closely," Biden said, accling him "brilliant, a pioneer, a true leader."

"This is the most exciting announcement that I have gotten to make in the entire Cabinet," Biden said of his picks. "These are among the brightest, most dedicated people, not only in the country but the world."