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.
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Trump loyalist installed as NSA's general counsel
The National Security Agency confirmed to ABC News that Michael Ellis has been named to be the agency’s new general counsel.
Ellis, who is considered to be a Trump loyalist, was pre-selected for the job, but his placement was slow-rolled by NSA Director Paul M. Nakasone.
Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller demanded the NSA to put him in the career civil service job by 6 p.m. Saturday night, according to a source.
"Mr. Ellis accepted his final job offer yesterday afternoon. NSA is moving forward with his employment," an NSA spokesperson said in a statement provided to ABC News.
The Washington Post first reported the installation.
The NSA’s general counsel is a career civil service position and not an appointee position. Anyone in that post would continue on regardless of a change in administrations. They could only be removed under the same guidelines in place for other civil servants. There is a probationary period and tenure policy in place.
-ABC News' Luis Martinez
Man arrested near Capitol allegedly with pistol, large capacity magazine
A Virginia man has been arrested near the Capitol while in possession of a gun, according to authorities.
Gordonsville resident Guy Berry, 22, was arrested at 12:15 a.m. on the 200 block of Massachusetts Avenue, the police report states. He was allegedly in possession of three high capacity magazines and 37 rounds of unregistered ammunition, police said.
Berry was charged with carrying a pistol without a license, possession of a large capacity magazine and unregistered ammunition.
-ABC News’ Jack Date
Lin-Manuel Miranda to join Inauguration Day celebrations
Composer and playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda is the latest celebrity added to the lineup for the inauguration primetime celebration for President-elect Joe Biden.
A mix of famous faces and everyday Americans will appear throughout the event.
Miranda, who created and starred in the musical "Hamilton," is expected to recite a classic work, according to the Presidential Inaugural Committee. Actresses Kerry Washington and Eva Longoria will introduce segments throughout the program.
Also participating will be Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and chairman of the Skyhook Foundation, Chef Jose Andres, founder of World Central Kitchen, labor leader Dolores Huerta, and Kim Ng, the first woman MLB general manager.
-ABC News’ Molly Nagle
Airbnb looking at possibly canceling reservations in Lansing before protests at Michigan Capitol
Online vacation rental marketplace Airbnb is reviewing, and potentially canceling, reservations in Lansing, Michigan, ahead of planned protests at the Michigan Capitol building.
“If we confirm that guests are associated with a violent hate group or otherwise not allowed on our platform for violating certain community policies prohibiting violence or engaging in criminal activity, we will cancel those reservations and ban them from Airbnb,” a company spokesperson said. “We are in contact with Governor Whitmer’s team, Mayor Schor and Chief Daryl Green about this plan, and if appropriate, we may bring information to the attention of local law enforcement.”
Airbnb’s efforts in Lansing are similar to its efforts in Washington, D.C. as the company seeks to identify people who have used their site and may pose a risk of violence ahead of planned protests.
“Downtown [Lansing] is a vibrant neighborhood and residents and businesses there should feel confident knowing that the Lansing Police Department is working closely with the Michigan State Police, Ingham County Sheriff’s Department and other police agencies to ensure these planned events remain peaceful,” said Lansing Mayor Andy Schor. “Airbnb has always been a fantastic partner with the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and this effort continues to demonstrate their civic mindedness and high standards of quality."
Residents of downtown Lansing should stay inside and avoid demonstrations, said Schor.
Debate on the 'rule' kicks off ahead of article debate
Democrats and Republicans are expected to debate for one hour -- equally divided between Democrats and Republicans -- before a procedural vote ahead of the chamber beginning debate on the impeachment article itself.
Democrat Rep. Jim McGovern, the chairman of the House Rules Committee, setting up that preliminary vote on the terms of the debate, called the Capitol a "crime scene" and the rioters "traitors" and "domestic terrorists" in an assault instigated by Trump, emphasizing, "We wouldn't be here if it weren't for the president of the United States."
McGovern described the day as "a ceremonial role for the Congress -- one that sends a message to the world that democracy persists -- but at a rally a mile and-a-half down Pennsylvania Avenue, Donald Trump was stoking the anger of a violent mob," he began. "He said Vice President Pence has to come through and told the mob to walk down to the Capitol."
"The signal was unmistakable. These thugs should stage a coup so Donald Trump can hang on to power, the people's will be damned. This beacon of democracy became the site of a vicious attack. Rioters chanted, 'Hang Mike Pence,' as a noose and gallows were built. Capitol Police officers were beaten and sprayed with pepper spray. Attackers hunted down lawmakers to hold them hostage or worse," McGovern continued.
"I saw evil, Mr. Speaker. Our country came under attack, not from a foreign nation but from within," he added. He also slammed Republicans for preaching unity from members who voted to overturn a free and fair election.
Republican Rep. Tom Cole -- one of the lawmakers who object to Electoral College results after the violent seige -- called Jan. 6 the "darkest day" of his long career in Washington, but said Democrats, instead of promoting unity, are looking to "divide us further" by pursuing Trump's impeachment.
Cole did not directly defend Trump's actions or rhetoric but argued in Congress, one week before Biden's inauguration, sets up a "flawed process."