Axios PM: Trump aides to resist illegal orders — 1 pic to remember

1 big thing: Trump aides to resist illegal orders | Thursday, January 07, 2021

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Walmart   Axios PM By Mike Allen ·Jan 07, 2021 Today's PM — edited by Justin Green — is 589 words, a 2-minute read.     1 big thing: Trump aides to resist illegal orders Photo: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images   Some top remaining administration officials are preparing to resist any unlawful or dangerous orders in the closing days of Trump's presidency, senior administration officials with direct knowledge of the sensitive conversations tell Jonathan Swan. Why it matters: After Trump incited protesters to storm the Capitol on Wednesday, there's a near universal view among top officials that he is unfit and unhinged, these sources said. Recently departed Attorney General Bill Barr said as much on the record today. What we're hearing: While several senior officials have already resigned in disgust since the riots, including Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Deputy National Security adviser Matt Pottinger, there has been a heavy behind-the-scenes push to urge other top national security officials to stay on as a bulwark against emboldened U.S. enemies. Multiple Cabinet officials and senators from both parties, including senior Senate Republicans, have privately urged National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien and White House Counsel Pat Cipollone to stay in their jobs for the sake of the nation's security and continuity of government. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also intends to stay on, according to a source briefed on his thinking. Two senior national security officials told Axios that they and their colleagues at the top level of government have decided to defy any requests they believe would put the nation at risk or break the law. They plan to force Trump to fire them. Between the lines: Some senior officials at the State Department and other agencies privately discussed the need to invoke the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office. That idea is going nowhere. Many view it as bad for the country and technically unworkable in such a short period of time. Senior officials described an awkward and troubling alternative — the reality that they are staying away from the West Wing, avoiding Trump, and hoping to white-knuckle their way to Jan. 20 without having to engage much with him. Yesterday, Pence directly urged the Pentagon to hurry the deployment of the National Guard to the Capitol. What's next: Both Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi have publicly signaled that Congress may push to impeach Trump a second time if his Cabinet does not invoke the 25th Amendment.     2. Statehouse threats rise A makeshift guillotine is set up near the Arizona Capitol during a pro-Trump protest. Photo: Ross D. Franklin/AP Statehouses have beefed up security, closed to the public and asked state employees to work from home, multiple state officials tell Stef Kight. In New Mexico, lawmakers were forced to evacuate and meet virtually. In California, eleven Sacramento protestors were arrested. In Oregon, an unlawful assembly was declared in Salem. In Michigan, the statehouse had to be evacuated for two hours today because of a bomb threat. In Arizona, state employees were told to work remotely today, and despite peaceful protests so far, fences have been erected at the capitol building. Between the lines: For some states, increased security measures are not new. The state capitol in St. Paul, Minnesota, for example, has been fenced off since last May, and work at the capitol has already been largely remote, according to Axios Minneapolis reporter Torey Van Oot. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger exits the Georgia State Capitol building yesterday after reports of threats. Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP     A message from Walmart Walmart extends associate COVID emergency leave policy to July 2021     To help keep customers and associates safe during the pandemic, Walmart is requiring all associates and customers to wear face coverings when inside stores, has implemented adjusted store hours to allow for deep cleanings, and extended its COVID-19 emergency leave policy for all associates.     3. Catch up quick President-elect Biden completed his Cabinet nominees, adding Marty Walsh (Labor), Gina Raimondo (Commerce) and Isabel Guzman (Small Business) to the list today. See the full list. Exclusive: Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon is preparing for more stock market volatility and currently sees some "excess in markets." Go deeper. The de-platforming: Nearly every major tech company has taken some action against Trump's social media accounts after he egged on an insurrection. Go deeper. President-elect Biden joined Black Lives Matter activists and others in decrying what they said was a double standard in law enforcement's response to the mostly white mob that violently stormed the U.S. Capitol. Go deeper.     4. 1 pic to remember Photo: Elizabeth Coleman A D.C. resident captured this memorable image during a walk this morning.     A message from Walmart Walmart believes every community should be a healthy community     Walmart is working hard to keep associates and customers safe while in stores. The retailer has implemented enhanced cleaning routines, including spraying carts after use, plastic shields at registers and doubling the number of health ambassadors to staff both entrances.     Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Suite 1300, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. 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