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.
Top headlines:
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.
New California senator says he's prepared for impeachment trial, coronavirus response
Alex Padilla, California’s Secretary of State and the man who will fill Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ seat in the Senate, told ABC News he’s prepared to balance both the impeachment trial and response to COVID-19 when he’s sworn in next week.
“We have to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time,” Padilla said. “It’s not either or, COVID-19 response is absolutely important. Holding President Trump accountable is extremely important. And doing our part, as the Biden-Harris administration settles, is also extremely important. So we're prepared to do what it takes.”
He said he doesn’t know how the Senate will vote, but believes a “rebalanced leadership” with Democrats in the White House, Senate and House, will give the party “tremendous opportunity” to achieve their goals.
When asked whether he believes last week’s riot at the Capitol would embolden further attacks, he said, “Frankly, when I saw the images last Wednesday, it only emboldened my resolve to want to get to work, and want to get to work quickly.”
-ABC News' Allie Yang