Statehouses across the country. The images on the left show the National Mall as it looked four years ago. Thousands of people filled the mall for President Trumps inauguration. But on the right, this is what it will look like on wednesday because its closed. Officials are asking everyone to stay home this year. And heres what the mayor of the district of columbia had to say about whats in store this week. I think this will be an inauguration unlike any other. I think it was already destined to be, given Covid Concerns and some of the limited seating in public access. But having our fellow americans storm the capitol in an attempt to overthrow the government certainly warrants heightened security. Also, newly released video from the new yorker shows the scene inside and outside the capitol during the insurrection on january 6th. Now were trying to be selective with what we show tonight, but you will get to see more of these dramatic scenes in a moment. Plus, well update how many people have been arrested and charged for taking part in the siege. Matter of fact, lets begin with that tonight here in washington, d. C. , with nbc political reporter Vaughn Hillyard. Vaughn, we understand a total of four people have been arrested near the capitol over the weekend. At least to the best of our knowledge. Thats correct. A fourth, this fourth individual, arrested just this afternoon, joshua, about a block from where we are. Now about 700 yards or so from the u. S. Capitol. This individual is a new mexico man who was taken into custody. Not only we are told for going too close to the secure perimeter here this evening, but also being involved on january 6th in the insurrection at the u. S. Capitol building. This was a man who not only took part in that invasion of the capitol but then about to return here, as he did, return to washington, d. C. , for this inauguration of joe biden. This upcoming wednesday. He said, blood will run out of the building. Referring to this upcoming inauguration. That man, again, is now in custody. But this is the enormity of what were talking about here. Well, there was an invasion of the u. S. Capitol a week and a half ago. There is now high alert for oneoff individuals here. There was no major demonstration seen in washington, d. C. , or anywhere across the country here today. But with the presence of 15,000 National Guardsmen working in conjunction with local and federal law enforcement, its now a matter of identifying these particular individuals. Many of whom took part in that insurrection. You know, we should note there are, joshua, now 116 arrests from that january 6th event. At the same time, there are still more than 300 open investigations from the video youll be taking a look at here tonight, there are clearly hundreds who are still not have yet to be identified and have not been arrested here. That is where this concern is. You can look at the perimeter. Its nearly double the perimeter of the 2017 inauguration just four years ago, but that is why here, you know, were just about 60 hours away from joe biden who has said he will still take that oath of office outside on the west front of the u. S. Capitol building. But that is why all this attention is on these four arrests so far. Two of those individuals being arrested for carrying unlicensed firearms along with ammunition. Again, here in washington, d. C. , you must have a license to carry a firearm and to get anywhere near these perimeter, of course, that is not permitted here. Were just 60 hours away from inauguration day. Joshua . Thank you, vaughn. Thats nbc political reporter Vaughn Hillyard starting us off tonight from just outside the capitol. Now lets get back to that dramatic new video released by the new yorker today that vaughn just mentioned. It shows the riots in more redale with crowds storming the capitol and fleeing moments later from tear gas, then you see many of them try to enter the capitol again. One guys yelling, thats all you got . This clip shows a group of people destroying gear from news crews including the associated press, slamming it on the ground, attempting to set it on fire. One man says, traitors to the guillotine. Another can be heard yelling, we are at war. Now, again, were trying to be measured in what we broadcast to you tonight, but this scene is worth watching. When the rioters reached the senate. Were here. Is this the senate . Where the [ bleep ] are they . Where are they . While were here, we might as well set up a government. Hey, looks like its safe, people. Lets take a seat. Nancy pelosi. Lets vote on some [ bleep ]. [ bleep ]. Wheres nancy . Treason treason treason treason protect your constitution . Defend your liberty defend your constitution defend your liberty defend your constitution thats just some of the new video from the new yorker this evening and it comes the same weekend as a lot of new polling on the riot and on the president. A survey from abc news and the Washington Post shows that 89 of americans say they oppose the attack. Seven in ten americans say President Trump bears at least some of the responsibility. But only 56 , a slim majority, says congress should remove mr. Trump and disqualify him from Holding Elected Office again. Contrast that with our latest nbc news wall street journal poll. President trump will leave office with a 43 approval rating. Its remained fairly consistent throughout his time in office. Even after he was impeached for the second time. 87 of republicans say they approve of his job performance. Joining us now to talk about that polling and the future of the gop is former rnc chairman Michael Steele whos also an msnbc political analyst. Sir, good evening. Good to see you. Hey, good to see you, man. What do you make of those poll numbers . Well, they actually are representative of what weve seen over the last four years and certainly what weve seen inside the gop at particular inflection points of crises. Instead of breaking ranks or creating a new approach to dealing with donald trump, the republicans tend to hunker down. They tend to stay fairly lockstep with him regardless of what he does. It is something that social scientists and political scientists will be examining for generations to understand exactly what was it about this man that required such a deep loyalty in the face of what weve just seen two weeks ago, an insurrection that he inspired. So, im not surprised by the polling at all. Im not surprised that a vast majority of americans are appalled by what happened and are probably very happy to see donald trump go. But we should not also be surprised that 87 of selfidentified republicans or conservatives still stand with donald trump. I wonder what you really make of the poll numbers. I know when youre biting your tongue. I can see the blood coming out the corner of your mouth especially in light of the future of the party, the incoming Biden Administration, democrats having the house, taking the senate, and a lot of talk about what the future of the party may be. I know its no secret that you are not a fan of donald trump but in terms of what these numbers say about the future of a party that you fought so hard for, like, i remember last time you were on, i think it was two appearances ago, what you should do if someone comes in your house and tries to kick you out of your own home. Right, right. Now it seems like the house is on fire and its threatening to take the neighborhood. Yeah, it does, and, you know, this is a very different circumstance than we saw the last time, last time we talked about where the party was. There is no doubt now, and i really think people need to really get a grip here, theres no doubt that this party is firmly in the hands of trump. The question becomes whether or not you see over the next six months, 18 months, 6 to 18 months leading up to the next political cycle in 2022, whether you have more liz cheneys and more mitt romneys and more ben sasses emerge from the ranks. Certainly wont see that in the house with almost twothirds of the House Republicans standing with this crazy, but were going to be looking to see what Senate Republicans do and how they emerge in their leadership to sort of reorient the party. I thnk its going to be a real struggle. I think its going to be a very struggle. While im still on the front porch with the light, the light is a lot dimmer this week than it was the last time we talked. And at some point, i fear it may go out. You know, joshua, i said leading up to last wednesday that what happened on wednesday, not even a clue what would transpire, but just looking at the fact that republicans were preparing to challenge the election. That if they did so, they would seal themselves inside the tomb that donald trump had built. Well, they have. And i dont see anyone right now on the horizon to break open that tomb to rescue them. Well, that might be a good place to bring in a viewer question from bill who asked about the senator who raised the initial objection to the Electoral College vote, ted cruz of texas. Here is what bill left in our inbox. Hello, im bill schultz from georgia. Most republican senators seem dismissive of the upcoming impeachment trial. But wouldnt it be a good idea for someone like senator ted cruz to vote for an impeachment conviction . And barring trump from Holding Office . If they want to run for president in 2024. Some cruz allies should talk with him about this. Bill, its a very interesting question, especially, michael, since ted cruz was one of the gutsier ones at the rnc in 2016 who didnt even call Donald Trumps name during the conference and got some very mixed reactions from the crowd for that and now seems to be one of his strongest defenders. What would you say to bill . I would say to bill, you know, its not what they say, its what they do, and that capitulation by ted cruz is complete. I dont know how you come back around and saddle up with someone who called your daddy, you know, a conspirator to kill a president of the United States. And says your wife is ugly. But ted cruz clearly did mind. And the Political Alliance with trump was more valuable to him than defending democracy. Yes, he uses the flowery words as some sort of constitutional, you know, mench or whatever. The reality of it hes nothing but a, you know, cold, calculating, politician and i would say to him, dont expect ted cruz to vote against vote for convicting the president because that doesnt work with his shortterm political narrative. Before i have to let you go, i put it out on facebook just to talk to trump voters about how they reflect on their votes now. Quite a few of them said, similar to what i saw from angela who wrote, this just the first sentence, but it kept coming up that it is only about policy, not personality. That there seems to have been a shift, at least among the trump voters who engaged with me, thank you all for talking with me on facebook. I really appreciate it. That they made a very different decision in how they voted for donald trump than, say, the way they voted for ronald reagan, where it wasnt about casting a Beautiful Image of a america that could be but felt much more transactional. Like it or not, i wonder if thats part of the future. Before i got to let you go, if thats part of the future of understanding and maybe rebuilding the Republican Party, is just accepting that some people didnt make a principled vote about donald trump, they made a policy vote, made a transactional vote and even now theyre cool with that. Yeah, they are cool with that and i would debate the, you know, policy transactional part because, you know, beyond build a wall and some of the other hot rhetoric that weve heard, there was no real consistent policy perspective, so this, i think, has to deal with the transaction of grievance. It has to deal with the fact that he was the perfect avatar to express the frustration and anger which should not be discounted. But i think that was much more implied for me at least in observing this than anything else. Former rnc chairman Michael Steele, i swear one night well have you on to talk about something other than your house being on fire, getting broken into, or having plagues of locusts or being on a fault line. I swear we will talk to you man, come on. You know, its you will get this fixerupper fixed up one of these days. Were working. I appreciate you making time for us. Youll get it done. Thanks very much. We discussed the future of the Republican Party with michael. Were going to talk about the future of the Democratic Party. Outgoing chair tom perez is coming up in our next hour. Ahead, former fbi director james comey said joe biden should, indeed, consider pardoning donald trump for the sake of moving the nation forward. Well get some perspective from the former lead prosecutor in Robert Muellers special counsel office. Also were taking more of your questions about the coronavirus pandemic and the vaccines. A member of president elect bidens transition covid19 Advisory Board will bring us some answers. And well dive into whats next in the fight against Climate Change. What that would look like under the Biden Administration and what roadblocks may be in the way. Thats all coming up when the week continues from washington on msnbc. So you want to make the best burger ever . Then make it that means selling everything. And eating nothing but cheese till you find the perfect slice. Even if everyone asks you. Another burger truck . Dont listen to them that means cooking day and night until you get. [ ding ] you got paid that means adding people to the payroll. Hi mom. That means. Best burger ever. Intuit quickbooks helps Small Businesses be more successful with payments, payroll, banking and live bookkeeping. Your journey requires Liberty Mutual. They customize your Car Insurance so you only pay for what you need. Wow. That will save me lots of money. This games boring. Only pay for what you need. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. There have already been more than 100 arrests in the investigations into that deadly capitol riot. Law enforcement agencies have opened more than 300 cases so far. Investigators are examining more than 150,000 pieces of evidence including photos and videos from tipsters. Meanwhile, the second impeachment trial of donald trump is set to begin. Theoretically, it could start this week. There are growing calls for prosecuting the president after he fired up the angry mob. But former fbi director james comey told nbcs Andrea Mitchell that prosecuting him would not be in the national interest. Better to impeach him, convict him, bar him from future office and let the local prosecutors in new york pursue him for the crimes he committed. Before we elected him president but not give him the spotlight that he craves so much. Lets discuss it with andrew weissman, former lead prosecutor in Robert Muellers counsel office. Also former fbi general counsel and msnbc legal analyst. Andrew, good evening. Good evening. Id like to get your reaction. First, heres one more clip from andreas conversation with former fbi director james comey. Listen. One possibility would be for him to list all the many crimes of donald trump and offer that to him as a pardon. Acceptance of that pardon would be admission of guilt. Andrew, what do you make of that . So, to be blunt, everything about that is wrong. So first of all, the clip about acceptance of a pardon, so acceptance of a pardon is not an admission of guilt. Legally, thats not what it means. Second, its really weird to have a debate, should the president pardon somebody or be okay to have a state prosecution because somehow there would be no spotlight on the former president if there was a state prosecution but not a federal prosecution . Meanwhile, he thinks that the president should be the new president should be pardoning the person who incites people to protest but presumably you dont think that the people who actually carried out those orders should be pardoned. I mean, the whole thing to me makes zero sense. We either have a rule of law and a nation that believes that no one is above the law, including the president , or we dont. And whether that leads to an investigation of the president for federal crimes, of which there are many to investigate, or whether it consists of the state going after him in manhattan or in georgia, or other states where the president may have done what he appears to have done in georgia, those are all things that should be carried out. Well, thats kind of the challenge i think, isnt it . The fbi is investigating possible charges of sedition and conspiracy and terrorism. Thats part of this storming of the capitol directly. But it seems like we got this dual problem, right, this twoheaded problem, one is the legal issue in terms of no american being above the law. Other is this political issue because impeachment and removal is an inherently political process by design. So, were dealing with this attack which clearly broke laws and then the incitement of it which depending on how you interpret the constitution, and democrats and republicans are interpreting it differently, may merit an impeachment, may just be better for resignation, may disqualify him under the 14th amendment. How do we weave these two sets of thought processes together . The legal and the political. So, i think its important for people to keep two thoughts in their head at the same time, that these are two separate potential remedies. You can have an impeachment of a president and there are various issues there, by the way, it is not necessary to prove that the president committed seditious conspiracy. In other words, you dont have to prove the elements of a criminal offense to actually impeach a president. And at the same time, you can also have an investigation and prosecution for the president , not just for seditious conspiracy but also for election interference and connection with an investigation to what he did in georgia, in connection with the mueller investigation,