The U.S. Congress formally certified Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 election on Monday, during a session presided over by Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.
Despite a winter storm and heightened security measures—including towering black fences encircling the U.S. Capitol complex—the House of Representatives and the Senate convened in a joint session to certify the results. This ceremony marked the final step in confirming Trump’s return to the presidency.
Vice President Harris, who was defeated by Trump in the November election, presented the electoral vote results from each state and the District of Columbia. Senators and representatives took turns announcing the counts. The final tally showed Trump securing 312 electoral votes, surpassing the 270 needed to win, while Harris received 226 votes.
“Today was obviously a very important day,” Harris told reporters at the Capitol. “It was about what should be the norm and what the American people should be able to take for granted—that one of the most important pillars of our democracy is that there will be a peaceful transfer of power. I do believe very strongly that American democracy is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it.”
“Congress certifies our great election victory today—a big moment in history. MAGA!” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social earlier on Monday.
In addition to reclaiming the presidency, Republicans captured a majority in the U.S. Senate and held a narrow edge in the House in November’s election. Trump is expected to pursue tax cuts and a crackdown on immigrants living in the country illegally.
Security inside and outside the Capitol was heightened in preparation for the certification and is expected to remain in place through Trump’s swearing-in on January 20.
The increased precautions come four years after Trump supporters stormed the Capitol on the same day in 2020, attempting to block the certification of then-President Trump’s loss to Democratic President Joe Biden. Trump continues to claim that his 2020 defeat was the result of widespread fraud.
(With input from agencies)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
