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ABC News

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

PHOTO: US President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani speaks to supporters from The Ellipse near the White House on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC.
8:01
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
How Joe Biden's inauguration will be different from previous years
By Libby Cathey, Kennedey Bell, Lauren King, Adia Robinson, Morgan Winsor, Catherine Thorbecke, Meredith Deliso, Ivan Pereira
Last Updated: January 18, 2021, 4:49 AM

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:

  • Biden announces 5 key nominations at State Department
  • Kamala Harris kicks off week of inauguration events
  • Incoming White House chief of staff gives overview of Biden's first 10 days
  • House Dems open investigation into Capitol attack
  • Harris to be sworn in by Justice Sonia Sotomayor at inauguration
Here is how the scene is unfolding. All times Eastern.

Jan 18, 2021 4:49 AM

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

Rudy Giuliani tells ABC News he will not be part of President Donald Trump's legal team for the upcoming Senate impeachment trial.

“Because I gave an earlier speech [at the January 6 Trump rally before the Capitol riot],” Giuliani told ABC News Sunday night, “I am a witness and therefore unable to participate in court or Senate chamber.”

Trump was impeached by the House for the second time last week following the siege on the Capitol by a pro-Trump mob.

-ABC News' Jonathan Karl


Jan 17, 2021 9:26 PM

Delaware shelter celebrates 'indoguration' for 1st shelter dog to live in the White House

The Delaware Humane Association hosted a virtual party with over 10,000 people to celebrate the first shelter dog moving into the White House.

While Champ and Major won't put their paws in the White House until Wednesday, the association held the fundraiser Sunday to celebrate the history being made: Major was adopted by Biden in March 2018.

"It means everything to us because it shines a light on the work we do," Delaware Humane Association's executive director Patrick Carroll said Sunday during the virtual party. "It shows that shelters are a wonderful place to adopt."

PHOTO: Joe and Jill Biden with their dogs, Major and Champ, in a photo posted to Joe Biden's Instagram account.
joebiden/Instagram
Joe and Jill Biden with their dogs, Major and Champ, in a photo posted to Joe Biden's Instagram account.
joebiden/Instagram

The shelter showed off photos of Major during his stay there in 2018 along with video of him and the president-elect. It also revealed dog "secretaries" which were dogs from its shelter that were selected by fans.

The Delaware Humane Association raised over $100,000, according to its host.

MORE: Biden's dogs bring return of presidential pets to the White House

Biden's two German shepherds will also be the first dogs to live in the White House in four years, though Champ is no stranger to Washington. The Biden family brought the dog into their home in 2008 and he resided with them during his two terms as vice president.


Jan 17, 2021 7:34 PM

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



Jan 17, 2021 5:19 PM

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


Jan 14, 2021 5:24 PM

Preliminary plan to close National Mall on Inauguration Day

There is a preliminary plan to close the entire National Mall to the public for Inauguration Day amid security concerns, ABC News has confirmed.

The Washington Post was the first to report on the development, but The National Park Service has said it will make an announcement on the Mall following ongoing discussions with the Secret Service, the Biden Inaugural team and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.

Traditionally, members of the public gather on the National Mall -- bookended by the Capitol building and Lincoln Memorial -- for viewing of the inauguration on large jumbotrons.

PHOTO: Security around the National Mall is heightened with new fencing following Pro-Trump riots on the Capitol building and ahead of the inauguration on Jan. 13, 2021 in Washington.
Jasper Colt/USA TODAY
Security around the National Mall is heightened with new fencing following Pro-Trump riots on the Capitol building and ahead of the inauguration on Jan. 13, 2021 in Washington.
Jasper Colt/USA TODAY

But the Mall's potential closure comes in the wake of a violent seige on the U.S. Capitol building last week, which left at least five people dead, and amid heightened security concerns regarding armed protests being planned ahead of Biden's inauguration on Jan. 20.

Security preparations for next week have already increased with up to 20,000 National Guard troops authorized to provide security at the Capitol and around Washington, D.C., for next week's ceremony, according to a Defense Department official.

PHOTO: Members of the National Guard rest in the Capitol Visitors Center, Jan. 13, 2021, in Washington, D.C., ahead of an expected House vote on impeaching President Donald Trump for a second time.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
Members of the National Guard rest in the Capitol Visitors Center, Jan. 13, 2021, in Washington, D.C., ahead of an expected House vote on impeaching President Donald Trump for a second time.
Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Bowser has already warned visitors to stay away from the District for the inauguration due to threats of both the coronavirus pandemic and of violence.

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this post reported that the entire National Mall would be closed to the public for Inauguration Day amid security concerns. The text has been updated to reflect the fact that the closure is only a preliminary plan.

-ABC News' Dee Carden and Josh Margolin


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