The Latest: Homeland Security agents being sent to Capitol

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Congress’ tally of the Electoral College vote won by Joe Biden (all times local): 3:35 p.m. The Department of Homeland Security is sending additional federal agents to the U.S. Capitol to help quell violence from supporters of President Donald Trump who are protesting Congress’ formal approval of President-elect Joe Biden’s win.…

Protesters swarm to Capitol, halt session on Biden victory

WASHINGTON (AP) — As demonstrators swarmed the U.S. Capitol, Congress has been forced to abruptly halt deliberations over Republican challenges to Joe Biden’s presidential victory. Republicans in a joint session of Congress were mounting their first formal challenge to Biden’s election win. Outside, meanwhile, demonstrators are protesting the joint session, which is to confirm Biden’s…

Biden to name judge Merrick Garland as attorney general

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Joe Biden has selected Merrick Garland, a federal appeals court judge, as his attorney general, two people familiar with the selection process said Wednesday. Garland, a federal appeals court judge, in 2016 was snubbed by Republicans for a seat on the Supreme Court, Biden is expected to announce Garland’s appointment on…

Loyal soldier Pence torn between Trump, Constitution

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Mike Pence has been President Donald Trump’s most loyal soldier, dutifully backing the unpredictable leader through one chaotic situation after another. Now Pence is facing the most precarious position of his tenure when he presides over Wednesday’s congressional tally of Electoral College votes. It’s the last front in Trump’s attempts…

Police: Protesters outside Sen. Hawley home were ‘peaceful’

Protesters who gathered outside the Virginia home of Republican Sen. Josh Hawley Monday evening were peaceful and they left when police explained they were violating local picketing laws, police said Tuesday. The Missouri senator claimed on Twitter that the group had been engaged in “leftwing violence.”   Officers were called to the Vienna home after…

Danforth: Electoral college challenge ‘highly destructive’

Former Sen. John Danforth says the effort by Sen. Josh Hawley and others to challenge Democrat Joe Biden’s election victory is a “radical” and “highly destructive attack.” The written statement from the 84-year-old three-term Republican senator was especially stinging since Danforth has long been a supporter of Hawley. Danforth publicly backed Hawley’s successful runs for…