Giuliani says he won’t be on Trump impeachment defense team

Trump was impeached by the House for a second time last week.

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.


0

Biden introducing vaccination plan, economic rescue package in address

Biden, in an evening address from Wilmington, Delaware, is announcing his vaccination and economic rescue legislative package.

The ambitious $1.9 trillion proposal focuses on stimulus amid the ongoing pandemic.

Biden's plan would dedicate more than $1 trillion of the $1.9 trillion price tag for direct stimulus, officials said, while $400 billion would go toward COVID-related projects, including the nationwide vaccination program, and $440 billion toward relief for communities and businesses.

The plan includes direct payments of up to $1,400 to families in need, that when combined with the recent $600 stimulus payment would deliver on Biden's pledge to pass $2,000 of direct payments, along with a $400 weekly unemployment insurance benefit through September and a child tax credit.

-ABC News' Molly Nagle


Moving day begins at the White House

Photos show the beginning of the process to move President Donald Trump out of the White House, as workers load boxes on to trucks.


Biden announces former Senate candidate as DNC chair

Biden on Thursday announced his slate for new leadership at the Democratic National Committee, including former South Carolina U.S. Senate candidate Jaime Harrison to be the next chair of the DNC.

Harrison, who lost the 2020 race to GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham last year, despite breaking numerous fundraising records, will officially become DNC chair after the full committee votes on Jan. 21, the day after Biden's inauguration.

Graham congratulated Harrison on the news in a tweet earlier Thursday.

In addition to Harrison, Biden also announced the names of four DNC vice chairs, all of whom were prominent backers of his presidential campaign, including Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who served as a campaign co-chair.

Whitmer is joined by Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Illinois Sen. Tammy Duckworth and Texas Rep. Filemon Vela as new DNC vice chairs.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called Harrison an "inspiring, energizing and influential" in a press release.

"As former Chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party and senatorial candidate, Jaime brings an outstanding track record of success -- from galvanizing the grassroots, mobilizing millions and shattering fundraising records -- that will be critical during this pivotal moment for our Party and Country," she added.

-ABC News' John Verhovek and Beatrice Peterson


Pence visits Capitol, addresses National Guardsmen

During an unscheduled stop on Capitol Hill, Vice President Mike Pence greeted National Guardsmen and telling them that he had just come from a briefing where he heard about their efforts.

He thanked the personnel for "stepping forward for your country" to make the historic transfer of power possible.

"It's been my great honor to serve as your vice president and I want to thank you for your service," Pence said.

The vice president then spoke to individual guardsmen asking them where they are from and how long they served.

About 20,000 National Guard members are expected in Washington this week to protect the city ahead of Biden's inauguration.

"Have a safe inauguration," Pence said.

-ABC News' Elizabeth Thomas and John Parkinson


Biden administration will 'lead with science and truth'

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."