Michigan state legislature closes offices due to 'credible threats of violence'
Law enforcement recommended the Michigan legislature close its offices.
President Donald Trump is slated to hand over control of the White House to President-elect Joe Biden in 39 days.
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House Democrat calls on Pelosi to refuse to seat House Republicans supporting Texas lawsuit
Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J., has called on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to refuse to seat those Republicans who signed on to a brief supporting the Texas lawsuit seeking to throw out millions of votes when the next Congress is sworn in next year.
"Stated simply, men and women who would act to tear the United States government apart cannot serve as Members of the Congress," he said. "These lawsuits seeking to obliterate public confidence in our democratic system by invalidating the clear results of the 2020 presidential election undoubtedly attack the text and spirit of the Constitution, which each Members swears to defend."
“The House still retains the right to decide who is seated,” Pelosi said in 2018, amid concerns of fraud impacting the election in North Carolina's Ninth Congressional District. “Any member-elect can object to the seating or the swearing in of another member-elect, and we’ll see how that goes.”
-ABC News' Benjamin Siegel
Biden introduces more Cabinet nominees and admin appointees
Biden is introducing more nominees and picks for the incoming administration from Wilmington, Delaware, and while the resurgence of Obama-era officials has some Democrats worried the president-elect is relying so heavily on his longtime allies, Biden argued the choice behind each of his picks Friday.
"Vice President-Elect Harris and I knew we’d have our work cut out for us when we got elected, but we also knew we could build a team that would meet this unique and challenging moment in American history. Some are familiar faces. Some are new in their roles," Biden said. "Above all, they know how government should and can work for all Americans."
For secretary of agriculture, Biden’s nominating Tom Vilsack, who served in the same post throughout the Obama administration. Vilsack previously served two-terms as governor of Iowa.
For secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Biden chose Rep. Marcia Fudge, who has represented Ohio's 11th Congressional District for the last 12 years. If confirmed, she will be the first woman to lead the department in more than four decades.
For secretary of veterans affairs, Biden is nominating former President Barack Obama’s former chief of staff, Denis McDonough. McDonough also served as deputy national security adviser and chief of staff of the National Security Council during the Obama administration.
Biden picked Katherine Tai for U.S. trade representative. Tai currently serves as the chief lawyer on trade for the Ways and Means Committee in the House of Representatives and previously was chief counsel for China trade enforcement in the office of the U.S. trade representative.
For director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, Biden has appointed Susan Rice. Rice served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and later as national security adviser in the Obama administration.
Biden says there’s no political influence on COVID-19 vaccine as White House pushes FDA to authorize use by end of day
Before introducing more Cabinet nominees and administration picks to the public on Friday, Biden opened with a statement on Pfizer and BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine, which the Food and Drug Administration is expected to approve for emergency use at any time.
"I want to make it clear to the public: You should have confidence in this. There is no political influence,” Biden said.
Biden’s remarks come as sources familiar with the matter tell ABC News White House chief of staff Mark Meadows in a phone call on Friday suggested to FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen Hahn that his job could be on the line if his agency doesn't authorize the emergency use for the vaccine by the end of the day.
-ABC News’ Katherine Faulders and John Santucci
Government shutdown averted for now
The Senate has approved a one-week continuing resolution extension of government funding -- buying themselves seven days to come up with a grand deal on government funding and COVID-19 relief.
In a dramatic fashion, both Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Josh Hawley, R-Mo., indicated that next week, they must get a vote on their amendment to provide working class Americans with another round of $1,200 stimulus checks -- or they will block government funding, in effect, forcing a government shutdown.
-ABC News' Trish Turner and Allison Pecorin
Biden confirms Austin as secretary of defense pick, pens op-ed explaining his decision
Shortly before releasing his press release confirming retired four-star Gen. Lloyd Austin as his pick to lead the Pentagon, The Atlantic magazine published an op-ed penned by Biden op-ed, laying out the reasons behind his choice and noting their history together in the Obama administration.
“Today, I ask Lloyd Austin to once more take on a mission for the United States of America—this time as the secretary-designate of the Department of Defense. I know he will do an outstanding job,” Biden wrote.
Austin, the former commander of U.S. Central Command -- with jurisdiction over military activities in the Middle East -- retired in 2016 after more than 40 years of military service. If confirmed, he would be the first African American to lead the Pentagon.
Biden pointed to Austin’s ”many strengths and his intimate knowledge of the Department of Defense and our government” as factors that made him “the person we need in this moment," saying his experience leading the Iraq drawdown prepares him for coordinating vaccine distribution and connecting with American families.
“And the next secretary of defense will have to make sure that our armed forces reflect and promote the full diversity of our nation. Austin will bring to the job not only his personal experience, but the stories of the countless young people he has mentored. If confirmed, he will ensure that every member of the armed forces is treated with dignity and respect, including Black, Latino, Asian American, Native American, women, and LGBTQ service members," Biden wrote.
Biden also seemed to address the fact that Lloyd’s nomination would require a waiver given his recent military service -- something that some Democrats have already expressed opposition to.
“I respect and believe in the importance of civilian control of our military and in the importance of a strong civil-military working relationship at DoD—as does Austin," he wrote.
"Austin also knows that the secretary of defense has a different set of responsibilities than a general officer and that the civil-military dynamic has been under great stress these past four years," Biden added.
The announcement comes as Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris meet with civil rights leaders who have pushed Biden to name more people of color to senior-level Cabinet positions.
-ABC News' Molly Nagle