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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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


Rep. Torres tells ABC News about coping with trauma and wanting justice

Rep. Norma Torres, D-Calif., told ABC's "Nightline" that 12 of the representatives who were locked down during the Capitol siege Wednesday are in a group chat to "to help each other heal."

"We've been working with each other through this process of healing ourselves," said Torres. "It's incredible that we survived."

Torres, who immigrated to the U.S. from Guatemala when she was 5 years old, said that Trump's decision to visit the border wall in El Paso, Texas, rather than address the Capitol riots or ongoing pandemic, was personally hurtful.

"The president of the United States chooses to close out his four-year term by continuing to incite racism, promote racism and incite violence against Americans like myself," she said.

On Wednesday, Torres made an emotional plea on the House floor to Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment and remove Trump from office.

"It is not about my life. It is not about his life. Members of Congress come and go. So will presidents and vice presidents. But our Constitution is to stand in," she told ABC News after her passionate speech. "Our democracy is worth it, (it) is worth upholding. And this is the moment where courage under fire means something."