Trump news: Romney attacks former president as children get secret service protection

Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s rolling coverage of Donald Trump’s final few hours in office.

Donald Trump has granted a last-minute pardon to his former political adviser, Steve Bannon, as part of a flurry of clemency and commutations issued to allies of himself and his family during his final moments as president.

Also on Trump’s list were:

• Elliott Broidy, a Republican fundraiser who pleaded guilty in a scheme to lobby the Trump administration to drop an investigation into the looting of a Malaysian wealth fund
• Ken Kurson, a friend of the president’s son-in-law Jared Kushner who was charged last October with cyberstalking during a heated divorce.
• Rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black, both convicted in Florida on weapons charges
• Rick Renzi, an Arizona Republican who served three years for corruption, money laundering and other charges
• Duke Cunningham of California, who was convicted of accepting $2.4m in bribes from defence contractors
• Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who has served about seven years behind bars for a racketeering and bribery scheme

Here is the story of Mr Bannon’s pardoning.

The outgoing president has told his supporters that their movement is “just beginning” in a farewell speech to the nation, which also saw Donald Trump wish Joe Biden luck for the next four years.

“This week we inaugurate a new administration, and pray for its success in keeping America safe and prosperous. We extend our best wishes, and want them to have luck, a very important word,” he said in his speech from the White House, even as he skipped the symbolic transfer of power at the inauguration.

Here is the story.

Donald Trump will walk out of the White House and board Marine One for the last time as president on Wednesday.

The helicopter will take him to Joint Base Andrews to catch Air Force One to his Mar-a-Lago club in West Palm Beach, Florida.

He will skip Joe Biden’s inauguration but not before giving himself a grand military sendoff, complete with a red carpet, military band and 21-gun salute.

Guests have been invited, but it is unclear how many will attend. Vice President Mike Pence won’t be there, citing the logistical challenges of getting from the air base to the inauguration ceremonies. 

Trump will retire to Florida with a small group of former White House aides to chart his political future.

Here is the story.

Donald Trump is not going to quietly settle down into retirement in Florida, a report suggests.

The outgoing president is said to be discussing forming a new political outfit called the Patriot Party.

In his farewell speech, Mr Trump hinted at that plan, saying his movement was "just beginning”.

Read the full story here.

The inauguration of Joe Biden will take place in a Washington on edge, after the deadly riot at the US Capitol unleashed a wave of security concerns  

Read the hour by hour schedule of all the events that have been announced so far for Inauguration Day here.

Moving trucks were spotted outside the Mar-a-Lago resort on Monday ahead of Donald Trump’s arrival.

His supporters are expected to stage a rally to welcome him.

But others are not so supportive of Mr Trump’s arrival.

His neighbors recently sent a letter to officials in Palm Beach citing a 1993 agreement that they said prohibits anyone from living permanently on the property because it is a social club, according to CBS Miami.

Lilia Slavova, who lives nearby, said: “We have to love our neighbours but he has to follow the rules."

Donald Trump claimed credit for things he didn't do and twisted his record on jobs, taxes, the pandemic and much more during a farewell speech shared on the White House YouTube channel.

Here, AP has unpicked the falsehoods and fabrications from the president in his final address to the nation as president.

Ivanka Trump praised her work for American families in a farewell message in which she also wished Joe Biden “courage and strength” and said she was “excited for the future” as she leaves Washington DC for Florida.

“It has been the honour of a lifetime to serve our nation as an advisor to the president. I am so proud of what we have accomplished and excited for the future,” she wrote.

Donald Trump’s son, Don Jr, has compared Joe Biden to Disney’s Uncle Scar in bitter parting shot at the incoming president.

“Remember in the Lion King when Scar cheated to win the title as king? And the pride land was overrun with the hyenas?” posted the younger Trump.

“And all of the lions lost everything they had built and maintained? Just asking. No reason.”

Here is the story.