Daily thread - United States 2021 transition of power - January 19

Was unaware of this happening last night :
‘Field of Flags' on National Mall Represents Americans Unable to Attend Inauguration

During senate confirmation hearing of Avril Haines , nominee for Director of National Intelligence , in response to Sen. Dianne Feinstein question about domestic terrorism, Haines confirms international connections to white nationalist.
Live hearing Link

Feinstein: The world has seen firsthand the radicalization of significant numbers of Americans, who believe that the election was rigged and some have sought to reverse its legitimate results by force. I for one am concerned about the threat in DC and across the country how would you, if confirmed, approach the issue of right wing domestic terrorism

Haines: Thank you senator...recognized that this is a major issue for the country. The intelligence community, of course, would not be on the lead on an issue such as (solely) domestic terrorism. That this is something I would expect the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security to be focused on, but the intelligence community can provide them with support with these issues, critical support I hope, support both in terms of identifying connections between domestic terrorist and international terrorist actors. In the context of White Nationalism for example as you pointed out we have seen, as I understand it, some connections... , I need, if confirmed, to get in the job and actually get better informed based on classified information that is available on these questions. but ahh, I do understand that there are some international connections and this is an area we can provide some support to them on.

Kevin McCarthy warning Republican lawmakers to not call out other legislators (Republican or Democrat) for fear of inciting violence against them

“Later after this call, I’m going to get another briefing from the FBI. and it doesn’t matter which side of the position you were -- I respect it, I respect why you did what you did. But what we’re saying on television when we say a member’s name … everybody has done something. This is not the moment in time to do it. The briefings that I’m getting, you can incite something else. … I get these reports on a weekly basis, I’ve seen something I haven’t seen before. … Do not raise another members’ name on television, even if they are in a different position or not. …

“What you say matters. Let’s not put other people in danger. Let’s watch what words we’re using and let’s definitely not be using other members’ names in any media.”

Daniel Dale: Reflections on four weird years fact checking every word from Donald Trump

Riley June Williams arrested: Allegedly stole Pelosi’s laptop, planned to sell it to Russia

Riley June Williams was arrested Monday, according to a Justice Department official. It’s not yet known when her initial court appearance will be.

The FBI said in an arrest warrant Sunday that Williams hasn’t been charged with theft but only with illegally entering the Capitol and with disorderly conduct.

FBI officials said a caller claiming to be an ex of Williams said friends of hers showed him a video of her taking a laptop computer or hard drive from Pelosi’s office. The caller alleged that she intended to send the device to a friend in Russia who planned to sell it to that country’s foreign intelligence service, but that plan fell through and she either has the device or destroyed it. The FBI says the matter remains under investigation.

Pelosi’s deputy chief of staff, Drew Hammill, confirmed Jan. 8 that a laptop was taken from a conference room but said “it was a laptop that was only used for presentations.”

Williams’ mother told local law enforcement that her daughter packed a bag and left before she was arrested, saying she would be gone for a couple of weeks. She also changed her phone number and deleted a number of social media accounts, the FBI said. Court documents don’t list an attorney for her.

cc: @spit-evil-olive-tips, since you posted the initial report yesterday

Biden's public schedule for inauguration day, via Daniel Dale on Twitter. I have to admit, I found it rather calming to read this. It almost looks ... normal.

House security chief said lawmaker wariness of military at Capitol drove his resistance to early request for National Guard

“There’s a reality there — the leaders of the House and the Senate don’t want the military up there. They don’t want to show they can’t control their own turf,” said Bill Pickle, who served as the Senate sergeant-at-arms from 2003 to 2007 and spoke to The Washington Post at Irving’s request.

Pickle confirmed the account of former Capitol Police chief Steven Sund, who previously told The Post that when he suggested bringing in the Guard, Irving responded that he was concerned about the “optics” of such a move. Irving did not consult first with his boss, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), but thought he was reflecting her likely response, Pickle said.

[...]

Past attempts by congressional security chiefs to bolster the Capitol’s defenses were shot down by members of Congress who did not want to restrict access to the seat of American democracy.

[...]

Irving and Stenger were surprised, Pickle said, when they issued an urgent request for the National Guard as rioters lay siege to the building and the Defense Department did not immediately approve the request.

[...]

Pentagon officials have said that congressional officials did not formally request military assistance in advance and that they moved as quickly as possible that day, noting that the National Guard is not designed to be a rapid-response unit.

Georgia lawyer said he kicked in Pelosi's door, she could've been 'torn into little pieces'

Can the 20th thread be posted earlier? This thread pops up at noon where I live at -3 (or 9 AM UTC), but Biden's inauguration is at noon at -5 (or 7AM UTC), a full 2 hours before the megathread.