US Congress certifies Donald Trump’s 2024 electoral win

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The US Congress has ratified Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election in a peaceful process that stands in stark contrast to the violent attempt by his supporters to overthrow Joe Biden’s victory four years ago.

Legislators’ approval TrumpA victory for Vice President Kamala Harris would pave the way for her to take office as scheduled on Jan. 20, cementing a comeback that defied her criminal conviction and the political damage she suffered after her 2020 defeat.

The shadow of the attack on the Capitol four years ago hung over the event with tight security as the joint session took place. Congress: met But then the only disruption came from heavy snow that brought Washington to a standstill, closing federal offices and schools.

Harris presided over a ceremony to confirm his election defeat, just as Trump’s Vice President Mike Pence did four years ago, drawing the ire of his boss and the disgust of many in the Republican base.

“Peaceful transfer of power is one of the fundamental principles of American democracy. Like any other principle, it’s what distinguishes our system of government from a monarchy or a dictatorship,” Harris said in a short video posted on X Monday morning.

Four years ago, Trump refused to recognize Biden’s victory, falsely claiming widespread fraud and encouraging his supporters to “stop stealing” as they gathered on the National Mall on the day of the certification.

After their attack on the Capitol that day, some Trump supporters faced criminal charges and convictions for their actions, but the president-elect has promised to pardon them as victims of political persecution.

After leaving office at the end of January 2021, Trump’s approval rating was just below 39 percent, but it now tops 47 percent, according to Fivethirtyeight.com. poll average.

“CONGRESS ASSURANCES OUR ELECTION VICTORY TODAY IN A BIG SECURITY!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account before the Capitol Hill trial. In the Nov. 5 election, Trump defeated Harris by 312 Electoral College votes to 226 and 1.5 percentage points in the popular vote.

But Democrats urged Americans not to forget what happened four years ago, calling it one of the darkest days in American political history.

“We can never repeat the events of January 6, 2021. We must always work to protect our democracy, protect free and fair elections, and ensure a peaceful transfer of power. Regardless of our political beliefs, we are all Americans. Violence can never be the answer to our political differences,” Colorado Democrat Jason Crowe said in a statement.

On Monday, as the count continued, House Republicans clapped and cheered as Trump’s winning states were mentioned, while Democrats applauded Harris’ victories.

New Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Republican, and House Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer sat in the front row on either side of the aisle.

Half a foot of snow blanketed Washington D.C. early in the day, halting the morning commute, with subway trains running underground with empty seats. Snowshoes crunched on the polished floors of the Capitol as police walkie-talkies crackled with low-key threats.

“Elected officials across the country have faced an increased threat environment in recent years, so we can’t take any chances in protecting members of Congress,” said US Capitol Police Chief Thomas Munger.