WASHINGTON: The US Congress formally licensed Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s election victory on Monday (Jan 6) throughout a session presided over by Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, who misplaced the November contest.
The quadrennial ritual, clearing the way in which for Trump’s inauguration in two weeks, went like clockwork and stood in sharp distinction to 4 years in the past when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in a failed bid to dam the certification of then-President Trump’s 2020 loss to Democratic President Joe Biden.
Trump continues to falsely declare that his 2020 defeat was the results of widespread fraud, and had warned all through his 2024 marketing campaign that he harbored comparable issues till his Nov 5 defeat of Harris.
Harris oversaw the roll name of the states within the vp’s ceremonial function as president of the Senate. Recognized for her broad smiles and upbeat demeanor in public appearances, she stood stoic with fingers clasped on the dais as she handed off certificates of every state’s electoral votes for Trump and herself.
“As we speak was clearly a vital day, and it was about what must be the norm and what the American individuals ought to have the ability to take with no consideration, which is that probably the most essential pillars of our democracy is that there will probably be a peaceable switch of energy,” Harris informed reporters on the Capitol. “I do consider very strongly that American democracy is simply as sturdy as our willingness to combat for it.”
4 years in the past, then-Vice President Mike Pence needed to preside over Biden’s victory. In 2001, then-Vice President Al Gore had the identical doubtful distinction following a bitter battle between him and George W Bush that ended so shut that the US Supreme Court docket in the end needed to put a cease to the authorized challenges, resulting in Bush being declared the winner.
Sitting within the Home chamber was Senator JD Vance, whose vice presidential victory was additionally licensed by Harris. Vance stood and waved to the members within the chamber when his electoral vote complete was introduced.
“Congress certifies our nice election victory at present – a giant second in historical past. MAGA!” Trump wrote on his social media platform Fact Social earlier on Monday.
