State Dept. condemns arrests, repression in Russia

It called for the release of protesters and opposition leader Alexey Navalny.

ByLibby Cathey, Adia Robinson, Jack Arnholz, Meredith Deliso, Lauren King, Catherine Thorbecke, Michelle Stoddart, and Lauren Lantry
Last Updated: January 25, 2021, 10:37 AM EST

This is the fifth day of the administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

Top headlines:

Here is how events are unfolding. All times Eastern.
Jan 22, 2021, 7:11 AM EST

Harris to stay at Blair House while Naval Observatory undergoes repairs

Harris and her husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, will stay at Blair House while repairs at the vice president's official residence, the Naval Observatory, are underway, a spokesperson told ABC News.

Blair House, which was built in 1824, is located just steps from the White House and is the oldest of four connected townhouses that comprise the president's guest house.

A tent is seen outside of the Blair House in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 17, 2021, where Joe Biden will stay the night before his inauguration as the 46th president of the United States on Jan. 20.
Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images

An aide had previously confirmed that Harris will not immediately move into the Naval Observatory to "allow for repairs to the home that are more easily conducted with the home unoccupied." The repairs are to replace the liners in the chimneys "and other household maintenance," the aide said.

-ABC News' Ben Siegel and Morgan Winsor

Jan 22, 2021, 1:30 AM EST

Biden to outline response to US economic crisis

On his third day in office, President Joe Biden will tackle one of the country's biggest issues: the economic recession brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Biden will deliver remarks on his administration’s response to the economic crisis in the U.S. Friday afternoon, according to the White House. 

His announcement will come as so many Americans (at least 900,000) continue to battle with unemployment caused by the pandemic.

Biden will also continue to sign executive orders, the White House said.

Jan 21, 2021, 6:01 PM EST

Senate passes waiver, paving way for defense secretary nomination vote

The Senate has confirmed retired Gen. Lloyd Austin's waiver to serve as Secretary of Defense shorty after the House passed the measure Thursday by a vote of 69-27.

Retired Gen. Lloyd Austin testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing to be the next secretary of defense on Jan. 19, 2021.
Jim Lo Scalzo/Pool via REUTERS

The four-star general retired from the Army in 2016, short of the requirement that requires commissioned officers to be out of the service for seven years before taking a civilian post.

Jan 21, 2021, 5:29 PM EST

McConnell expected to propose a delay of impeachment trial

GOP senators say Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to propose a delay of former President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial when he pitches a framework later Thursday to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. 

The delay is designed to give the still-emerging Trump legal team time to prepare.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell leaves the Senate chamber, Jan. 19, 2021 in Washington, DC.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Sen. Mike Braun, R-Ind., said it's his understanding from a conversation earlier in the day that the trial will not start "until sometime mid-February due to the fact that the process, as it occurred in the House, evolved so quickly, and that it is not in line with the time you need to prepare to prepare for a defense in a Senate trial."

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, told Capitol Hill reporters, “I think, in fairness to anybody who's accused of impeachable offenses, there needs to be some fair process."

-ABC News' Trish Turner and Allison Pecorin

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