On Monday, the US Congress officially certified Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, during a session presided over by Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, who had lost the November election.
This annual ritual cleared the path for Trump’s inauguration in two weeks, marking a smooth process in stark contrast to four years ago when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in an unsuccessful attempt to block the certification of his 2020 loss to Joe Biden, the Democratic President.
Trump continues to falsely assert that his 2020 defeat was due to widespread fraud and had warned throughout his 2024 campaign that he harbored similar concerns until his victory over Harris on November 5.
Harris, who is also the president of the Senate, oversaw the state-by-state roll call in her ceremonial role. Known for her bright smiles and positive public demeanor, she stood solemnly at the dais, her hands clasped, as she handed over the certificates confirming the electoral votes for Trump and herself.
“Today was obviously a very important day, and it was about what should be the norm and what the American people should be able to take for granted, which is that one of the most important pillars of our democracy is that there will be a peaceful transfer of power,” Harris told reporters at the Capitol. “I do believe very strongly that American democracy is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it.” Four years ago, Vice President Mike Pence presided over the certification of Biden’s victory. Similarly, in 2001, Vice President Al Gore had a similar role following a contentious battle with George W. Bush, which ended with the US Supreme Court halting the legal challenges, resulting in Bush being declared the winner.
Senator JD Vance, whose vice presidential victory was also certified by Harris, was present in the House chamber. Vance stood and waved to the members when his electoral vote total was announced.
“Congress certifies our great election victory today – a big moment in history. MAGA!” Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social, earlier in the day.
The joint session of Congress proceeded despite a winter storm blanketing the capital, dropping about 6 inches (15 cm) of snow and disrupting travel.
The final certification confirmed preliminary findings that Trump won 312 Electoral College votes compared to Harris’s 226.
REPUBLICANS CONTROL WHITE HOUSE, CONGRESS
Republicans also gained control of the US Senate and narrowly secured a majority in the House in the November elections, which gives Trump the backing needed to implement his proposed agenda, including tax cuts and an immigration crackdown on undocumented residents.
Democrats did not attempt to block the certification of Trump’s victory on Monday.
“We must renew our commitment to safeguarding American democracy,” said No. 2 House Democrat Katherine Clark in a statement earlier in the day. “As elected leaders, our loyalty must be to the Constitution, first and always. We are here to honour the will of the people and the rule of law.”
Heightened security measures were in place both inside and outside the Capitol for the certification and were expected to remain throughout Trump’s swearing-in on January 20.
The Capitol grounds were surrounded by metal fences several hundred yards from the building, accessible only through checkpoints manned by uniformed police officers. Convoys of black police vehicles, including a 10-wheel Baltimore police mobile command center, were on standby, with New York Police Department reinforcements patrolling the area.
Inside, additional teams of US Capitol Police officers were stationed at entrances, checking IDs at doors and tunnels leading to the House and Senate chambers.
Trump has stated that he intends to pardon some of the more than 1,500 individuals charged for their involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol assault, during which rioters clashed with police, breaking windows and doors, and chanting “Hang Mike Pence” in an attempt to stop Congress from certifying Biden’s victory.
During the January 2021 chaos, rioters breached police barricades, assaulted around 140 officers, and caused over $2.8 million in damage. Several police officers who fought the rioters later died in the following weeks, some by suicide.
