Congress validates Biden’s election victory; Trump promises ‘orderly transition’
Durango, Colorado Currently Wed 57% chance of precipitation 53% chance of precipitation 69% chance of precipitation
Twitter locks president’s account
Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021 9:10 AM Updated: Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021 9:43 AM Supporters of President Donald Trump climb the west wall of the the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. The Associated Press Police stand outside the Capitol after a day of rioting protesters, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, at the Capitol in Washington. The Associated Press Smoke fills the walkway outside the Senate Chamber as supporters of President Donald Trump are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police officers inside the Capitol, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021 in Washington.
3:55 p.m.
Vice President Mike Pence is expected to attend President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration..
That’s according to two people one close to Pence and one familiar with the inauguration planning. The people spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because the plans had yet to be finalized.
The news comes a day after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol to stop the congressional confirmation of Biden s victory, with some angrily shouting that they were looking for Pence.
Trump had told his supporters that Pence had the power to reject electoral votes and make him the president instead of Biden, even though he didn’t have that authority. The pressure campaign created a rare public rift between the men after years of Pence’s uncheckered loyalty.
Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP
Updated at 9:05 p.m. ET
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he requested and has received Senate Sergeant at Arms Michael Stenger s immediate resignation.
The position, as the highest-ranked law enforcement officer in the Senate, will be filled by Jennifer Hemingway, the current Deputy Sergeant at Arms. Deputy Sergeant at Arms Jennifer Hemingway will now serve the Senate as Acting Sergeant at Arms, pursuant to statute, McConnell said in a statement Thursday evening. I thank Jennifer in advance for her service as we begin to examine the serious failures that transpired yesterday and continue and strengthen our preparations for a safe and successful inauguration on January 20
Be sure to refresh this page often to get the latest information.
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos resigns in the wake of Capitol riot
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos became the second Cabinet member to resign Thursday, citing President Donald Trump s handling of a violent mob that stormed the U.S capitol a day earlier as an inflection point.
DeVos, one of Trump s longest-serving Cabinet members, submitted her resignation in a letter to the president obtained by USA TODAY. She criticized Trump for using rhetoric that encouraged the violence that erupted and left four people dead. We should be highlighting and celebrating your Administration s many accomplishments on behalf of the American people. Instead, we are left to clean up the mess caused by violent protesters overruning the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to undermine the people s business, she wrote.
US Secret Service bringing in every available agent to White House and Naval Observatory
From CNN s Betsy Klein
The US Secret Service is significantly ramping up coverage and bringing additional agents from the region to the White House, Naval Observatory, and USSS headquarters after today’s unrest, a source familiar with the situation said.
A USSS official also told CNN that Secret Service was the first federal agency deployed when the US Capitol Police asked for assistance from local and federal law enforcement.
The agents on detail for Vice President Mike Pence and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris were present today and worked in their roles focused on securing their protectees, but when Capitol Police put out the call for assistance, USSS sent additional uniformed division and special agents to Capitol Hill to assist. They were subsequently joined by other law enforcement agencies, the official said.