Sunday shows preview: Washington prepares for an inauguration and impeachment; coronavirus surges across the US

The upcoming inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and the looming Senate impeachment trial for President Trump amid surges in U.S. coronavirus infections are expected to dominate this week’s Sunday talk shows. 

All eyes are on Washington, D.C., this week as security officials and law enforcement prepare for Wednesday’s inaugural ceremonies in the aftermath of the deadly Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. 

The FBI has warned of planned protests that have the potential to turn violent in the days surrounding the inauguration, prompting the closure of major Metro stations around the National Mall and Capitol building. Amtrak has also announced that it is suspending some service south of D.C.

The National Park Service on Friday announced it would temporarily close most parts of the National Mall to restrict the number of people allowed in the area. 

As Biden prepares to take the oath of office amid heightened political division, members of the incoming administration are expected to appearances on some of this Sunday’s talk shows, including incoming White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield on ABC’s “This Week,” and Ron Klain, Biden’s chief of staff, scheduled to appear on CNN’s “State of the Union.” 

Just one day before Biden enters the White House, the Senate is scheduled to reconvene for its new session. The upper chamber will wait to receive the House resolution of impeachment against President Trump, almost guaranteeing the Senate will take up proceedings during Biden’s administration. 

The House this week voted along bipartisan lines to impeach Trump, charging him with inciting the violent mob at the Capitol. The vote made Trump the only president in U.S. history to be impeached twice. 

Pelosi this week also named several impeachment managers to argue the House’s case during the Senate trial, including Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) as the lead impeachment manager, as well as others such as Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas). 

Raskin will appear on “State of the Union,” while Castro is scheduled to be on ABC’s “This Week.” 

Amid the chaos in Washington, the previously anticipated post-holiday coronavirus surge has now arrived, leading to several pandemic milestones this week. 

On Tuesday alone, a record 4,327 people in the U.S. died from the virus, according data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. Over the past week, the New York Times coronavirus database has recorded an average of more than 230,000 new infections per day, a 19 percent jump from just two weeks prior. 

On Sunday, Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, will be interviewed on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” and Rochelle Walensky, Biden’s pick to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is set to appear on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” 

Below is the full list of guests scheduled to appear on this week’s Sunday talk shows:

ABC’s “This Week” — Bedingfield; Reps. Castro and Peter Meijer (R-Mich).

NBC’s “Meet the Press” — Fauci; Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.); Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.)

CBS’ “Face the Nation” — Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.); Walensky; Gov. Jim Justice (R-W.Va.); Mayor Melvin Carter of St. Paul, Minn.; Scott Gottlieb, a former Food and Drug Administration commissioner.

CNN’s “State of the Union” — Klain; Raskin; Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.); H.R. McMaster, a former national security adviser to President Donald Trump.

“Fox News Sunday” — Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R-Ark.), Brian Deese, Incoming Director of the National Economic Council

Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures”— Ric Grenell, former Acting Director of National Intelligence; Glenn Greenwald, journalist and The Intercept co-founder; Alan Dershowitz, Harvard Law Professor Emeritus

“America This Week With Eric Bolling”— Megyn Kelly; Raz Simone – Leader, Seattle C.H.O.P.; Dan Lippman, Politico; Peter Navarro, White House trade adviser.