Trump impeachment news – live: Capitol rioters ‘sought to capture and assassinate’ elected officials

Facebook executive Sheryl Sandberg is facing criticism for denying the social media company’s role in the violence at the US Capitol despite groups like “Stop the Steal” with thousands of followers remaining active on the platform for months.

Sandberg, who is Facebook’s chief operating officer, came under fire after she said the Capitol insurrection was not “largely organised” on Facebook but on platforms that do not have the “ability to stop hate” like that of Facebook.

Read the report by Shweta Sharma: 

Donald Trump will not be visiting Scotland ahead of inauguration day, reports suggest.

There had been speculation that the US president would visit his Turnberry golf resort in South Ayrshire ahead of Joe Biden taking office at the White House next Wednesday.

But it has now understood that Mr Trump will not travel to the country. The revelation comes shortly after Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon vowed to ban him from the country due to Covid regulations that prevent “non-essential” travel.

The outgoing president and president-elect usually travel together to the ceremony at the Capitol from the White House.

But Mr Trump, who was overwhelmingly defeated in November’s US election, has previously said he will not attend the January 20 ceremony for his successor.

As Dr Jill Biden acknowledged the fast-approaching inauguration, tweeting: “One week”, and began announcing her plans for her time in the White House, the current first lady Melania Trump has reportedly still not made any contact with her.

Dr Biden intends to continue her work on issues affecting military families. Ms Trump’s plans for her post-White House life are unknown.

Read the report by Oliver O’Connell:

Donald Trump has reportedly banned all mention of Richard Nixon in the White House.

Nixon was forced to resign the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal.

Mr Trump apparently subjected one adviser to an expletive-laden tirade and forbade them from bringing up the disgraced ex-president ever again.

CNN reported that it began with a casual conversation about whether Mr Trump might resign before 20 January.

The president slapped down that idea, CNN reported.

Four in every five Americans, both Democrats and Republicans, believe that the US is falling apart, according to a survey which was released a week after the violence at the Capitol by Donald Trump’s supporters, writes Mayank Aggarwal.

The Axios-Ipsos survey, conducted between 11-13 January, included just over 1,000 adults. It found that support for removing Mr Trump from office has climbed five points compared to last week after his supporters ran riot in Washington, delaying the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory.  

The survey was conducted before Mr Trump was formally impeached for a second time. It found that 56 per cent of Americans wanted the immediate removal of President Trump from office, even though as Mr Biden is set to enter the White House on 20 January.  

Blinded by smoke and choking on gas and bear spray, stripped of his radio and badge, District of Columbia police officer Michael Fanone and his battered colleagues fought to push back rioters trying to force their way into an entrance to the US Capitol.

The officers had been at it for hours, unaware that others in the mob had already breached the building through different entrances. For them, the West Terrace doors, which open into a tunnel-like hallway allowing access to an area under the Rotunda, represented the last stand before the Capitol fell.

“Dig in!” Mr Fanone yelled, his voice cracking, as he and others were being struck with their own clubs and shields, ripped from their hands by rioters. “We got to get these doors shut.”

Donald Trump reportedly plans to move to his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on the morning of Joe Biden’s inauguration, where he is expected to employ a few of his loyal White House aides who would either work for him or his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, writes Stuti Mishra.

A report published by Bloomberg, quoting sources close to the president, says that Mr Trump intends to live in his Florida resort after his presidency where Mr Kushner will spend a considerable part of his time working with him. However, some of his future neighbours are trying to stop him from taking up permanent residence.

A pro-Trump rioter and prominent QAnon believer charged for his role in last week’s US Capitol violence that left five people dead is asking the president to pardon him, writes Matt Mathers.

Jacob Anthony Chansley, who calls himself the “QAnon Shaman”, says Mr Trump invited him to storm Congress as lawmakers certified Joe Biden’s election victory.

Mr Chansley, also known as Jake Angeli, handed himself in to authorities on Saturday and was subsequently charged with crimes including violent entry and disorderly conduct.

Donald Trump Jr is wanted for questioning as part of an investigation into the alleged misuse of his father’s 2017 presidential inauguration funds, writes Tom Embury-Dennis.  

Washington DC attorney general Karl Racine said Mr Trump Jr had been notified of the request, which was sent after new evidence emerged in court filings earlier this week.

They allege that the Presidential Inaugural Committee “improperly wasted its fund” when it paid almost $50,000 (£37,000) to the Loews Madison for a block of hotel rooms on behalf of the Trump Organization.