President Trump on Monday declared an emergency in Washington, D.C. and ordered federal assistance to supplement efforts to prepare for President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration later this month.

The move came after D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) over the weekend asked Trump to issue an emergency declaration amid concerns about potential threats to the inauguration on Jan. 20.

House Democrats earlier Monday formally introduced an article of impeachment charging Trump with inciting the Capitol riots last Wednesday.

https://twitter.com/kylenabecker/status/1348799465403125761?s=20

Trump’s action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide assistance for emergency actions under the Stafford Act.

“Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency,” the declaration released by the White House Monday evening states. “Emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance, will be provided at 100 percent Federal funding.”

Bowser had written to acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf on Sunday, urging the administration to recognize a pre-disaster declaration in the city in preparation for Inauguration Day. She had also requested in her letter to extend the U.S. Secret Service’s National Special Security Event for the inauguration from Jan. 11 through Jan. 24 instead of the previously planned Jan. 19-21.

DHS announced on Monday that it was expanding the period to begin Jan. 13.

Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf resigned Monday, citing ongoing court battles regarding his appointment, as previously reported by 100% FED UP.

In a letter to staff, Wolf wrote that his resignation “is warranted by recent events, including the ongoing and meritless court rulings regarding the validity of my authority as Acting Secretary.”

“These events and concerns increasingly serve to divert attention and resources away from the important work of the Department in this critical time of a transition of power,” he added.

Wolf had intended to stay in his position through the end of the administration to ensure a safe transition to Biden’s team, but he wrote on Monday that he felt confident the transfer would go smoothly.

 

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