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

DC Mayor Bowser tells Americans to stay home for Biden's inauguration

Amid threats from both the spreading coronavirus pandemic and of violence in the wake of insurrection at the Capitol, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser at a press conference on Monday urged Americans not to attend Biden's presidential inauguration in Washington next week.

Asked if she was scared of what might happen on Jan. 20, Bowser said, "If I'm scared of anything, it's for our democracy. Because we have… factions in our country that are armed and dangerous."

She urged the public to participate in the ceremonies virtually and announced she has asked Trump for a "pre-emergency disaster" declaration similar to the one issued for the first inauguration of former President Barack Obama.

"This is necessary because the inauguration poses several unprecedented challenges that exceed the scope of our traditional planning processes," Bowser said.

Bowser is also asking the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate a federal force deployment plan and extend the inauguration's special event security period, including the cancellation of public gathering permits -- which would require the cooperation of the Interior Department -- through Sunday, Jan. 24. Additionally, Bowser requested daily intelligence briefings from the FBI throughout the security period.

The National Park Service on Monday morning temporarily closed the Washington Monument "in response to credible threats to visitors and park resources" through Jan. 24.

-ABC News' Quinn Owen


House Dems introduce article of impeachment charging Trump with 'incitement of insurrection'

During Monday's brief session, Republicans blocked an effort by Democrats to get unanimous consent to force Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment, and House Democrats introduced one article of impeachment against President Trump for "incitement of insurrection" in the wake of a pro-Trump mob breaching the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday.

The "incitement of insurrection" article of impeachment was introduced by Reps. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., Ted Lieu, D-Calif., and David Cicilline, D-R.I., along with more than 210 Democratic co-sponsors.

The measure says that Trump has "demonstrated that he will remain a threat to national security, democracy and the Constitution if allowed to remain in office and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has told Democrats they will move forward with an impeachment vote immediately if Pence and the Cabinet do not invoke the 25th Amendment and remove Trump from power.

Hoyer told reporters this morning that "there very well could be" an impeachment vote as early as Wednesday.

-ABC News' Mariam Khan


Republicans object to House Dem measure demanding Pence invoke 25th Amendment

The House has adjourned moments after gaveling into a pro forma session after Republicans blocked an effort by Democrats to get unanimous consent to force Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment.

Majority House Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., introduced a request by unanimous consent to bring up the Raskin resolution calling on Pence to mobilize the Cabinet to activate the 25th Amendment -- effectively declaring Trump incapable of executing the duties of his office and making Pence the acting president -- but GOP Rep. Alex Mooney of West Virginia objected to the effort.

The House is expected to return on Tuesday for a full floor vote on the legislation. If Pence does not agree to invoke the 25th Amendment, House Democrats says they'll move forward with impeachment.

Monday's session began with the House clerk reading the formal resignation of House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving and Timothy Blodgett being sworn in as the new Sergeant at Arms.

Calls for the president's removal come after a mob of pro-Trump supporters breached the Capitol on Wednesday while Congress was voting to certify the electoral votes. The assault on the Capitol left at least five dead, including one Capitol Police officer.

-ABC News' Mariam Khan


Biden, Obama and Bush to visit Tomb of The Unknown Soldier at Biden's inauguration themed 'America United'

Drawing a stark contrast to the divisions in the country that boiled over last week, Biden's inauguration theme is set to be of "America United."

After the swearing-in ceremony and inaugural ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 20, the Biden's, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff will be joined by former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, former President George W. Bush and Laura Bush, and former President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton for a visit to Arlington National Cemetery. There, the current and former presidents will visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for a wreath-laying ceremony.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) announced in a statement Monday, "at a time of unprecedented crisis and deep divisions, America United reflects the beginning of a new national journey that restores the soul of America, brings the country together, and creates a path to a brighter future."

In addition to hosting a National Day of Service -- "United We Serve" -- and the presidential visit to Arlington, the committee will host "Field of Flags" -- a public art display at the National Mall with 191,500 flags representing every state and territory, and 56 pillars of light, in an effort to represent the American people who are unable to travel to Washington for the event.

The committee said in the release the inauguration "will showcase the American people's resilience, heroism, and unified commitment to coming together as a nation to heal and rebuild so that we emerge as the indomitable force that a united America represents."

-ABC News' Beatrice Peterson


Emotional exchanges from House Dems debating resolution on 25th Amendment

The House Rules Committee is in recess for a meeting to tee up a resolution that will be voted on the House floor later Tuesday which seeks to pressure Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove Trump from office.

While Pence has not indicated publicly what he intends to do, and it's not expected he will take action -- making the resolution's expected passage largely symbolic -- House Democrats will go forth in considering a single article of impeachment Wednesday.

Democrats in the committee rehashed painful, devastating memories to highlight their concerns and rage and exasperation, explaining why they want to make sure Trump is held fully accountable for inciting the riot.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md,, said he was there with his daughter and son-in-law. His family showed up to support him just one day after burying Raskin's son.

"This is not just a crisis and an emergency. It is a continuing crisis and emergency. It is not over yet," Raskin said. "Can we say that we feel safe being in the hands of this president, with the horror and the threats returning to our nation's Capitol?"

Rep. Norma Torres, D-Calif., described cowering in the House chamber. Hiding under her chair, struggling to put on an escape hood, she called her daughter, telling her, "I'm running for my life" before quickly hanging up.

"Trump incited this attack and there should be no question as to what Vice President Pence needs to do right now," she said. "I heard the shots being fired. I saw the smoke from the tear gas being been deployed. And I watched one officer with no equipment face a raging mob just outside the chamber. We crawled across the entire length of that balcony."

Democrats repeatedly implored Republicans to admit the election was fair and free, and Republicans scolded Democrats for, they say, seeking to divide the country further with a second impeachment.

-ABC News' Mariam Khan