State Dept. condemns arrests, repression in Russia

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

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 18, 2021, 9:06 PM EST

Biden, Harris to honor lives lost to COVID

Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will mark the lives lost to COVID-19 in a special event in Washington the night before the inauguration, according to their transition team.

The two will speak at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Tuesday evening, according to a schedule.

As of Monday evening, 398,879 Americans have died from the coronavirus, according to data from John Hopkins' Coronavirus Resource Center.

Jan 18, 2021, 7:57 PM EST

'Field of Flags' lights up National Mall

The Biden Presidential Inaugural Committee began its transformation of the National Mall ahead of Wednesday's ceremony with a special light decoration Monday evening.

Flags are placed on the National Mall, with the Washington Monument behind them, ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Jan. 18, 2021.
Alex Brandon/AP

Fifty-six pillars of light, representing the 56 U.S. states and territories, illuminate a "Field of Flags" public art display.

PHOTO: Blue lights are beamed into the sky over the "Field of Flags" on the National Mall as the Capitol Building is prepared for the inauguration ceremonies for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Jan. 18, 2021.
Blue lights are beamed into the sky over the "Field of Flags" on the National Mall as the Capitol Building is prepared for the inauguration ceremonies for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Jan. 18, 2021, in Washington, D.C.
Joe Raedle/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The display includes nearly 200,000 U.S. flags meant to represent the Americans who are not able to travel to the inauguration due to COVID-19.

A large flag is placed on the National Mall, with the Capitol behind it, ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Jan. 18, 2021.
Alex Brandon/AP

The lights were turned on ahead of the "United We Serve" event being held later Monday evening. The event commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Flags are placed on the National Mall, with the Washington Monument behind them, ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, Jan. 18, 2021.
Alex Brandon/AP

-ABC News' Molly Nagle

Jan 18, 2021, 4:53 PM EST

Trump unlikely to issue self pardon or pardons for his family: Sources

The president is unlikely to issue pre-emptive pardons to his children and other close associates, despite weeks of internal battles among White House aides, sources with knowledge of the conversations confirmed to ABC News. The sources went on to say that they do not expect Trump to issue a pardon for himself. The sources noted the conversations have been fluid and the president has been known to change his mind at times.  

Trump has been encouraged by allies to issue pardons to his children and himself over fears of possible criminal investigations, specifically after Trump's call with Georgia state officials regarding the 2020 election results and after Trump and members of his family spoke at a rally held on the National Mall that incited the riot on Capitol Hill.  

The list of pardons the Trump administration is expected to issue in the final hours of Trump's presidency is growing smaller, with sources saying the final list could amount to just over 100.  

President Donald Trump stands in the Oval Office of the White House, Dec. 7, 2020.
Patrick Semansky/AP, FILE

-ABC News’ John Santucci and Katherine Faulders

Jan 18, 2021, 4:29 PM EST

Biden advisers met with national security officials on inauguration security

Members of Biden's national and homeland security teams met via video conference with current career and acting agency heads to discuss inaugural security, the Biden team announced in a readout of the call on Monday. 

Led by incoming homeland security adviser Dr. Liz Sherwood-Randall and temporary adviser to the transition on homeland security Lisa Monaco, the group discussed the "current operational posture for the Washington, D.C. region and the nation," though little information was shared about the actual content of the call.

"Career officials from the National Security Council, the Secret Service, the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, the National Counterterrorism Center, the Department of State, the Department of Treasury, the Department of Defense and other agencies briefed participants on the current security situation and the pace of interagency coordination with state, local, and industry partners," the readout said. "Participants affirmed the importance of continued close coordination in the period leading up to and including Inauguration Day." 

Biden's inauguration on Wednesday is expected to be unlike any other, featuring an unprecedented level of security as well as a slew of pandemic precautions. 

-ABC News' Molly Nagle

Major General William Walker, the Commanding General of the District of Columbia National Guard, discusses the current threat level in the nation’s capital and how troops are preparing for Wednesday.
3:33
Head of DC National Guard discusses inauguration securityMajor General William Walker, the Commanding General of the District of Columbia National Guard, discusses the current threat level in the nation’s capital and how troops are preparing for Wednesday.
ABCNews.com

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