Trump's 2024 Victory Certified By Congress on Anniversary of Jan 6 Riots
Congress officially certified Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential victory on Monday, securing his return to the White House after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in November’s election. Trump won 312 Electoral College votes to Harris’s 226, marking the first Republican popular vote victory since 2004.
The certification process, led by Harris in her role as Senate president, was a quiet, solemn affair lasting less than 30 minutes. Harris maintained a neutral expression as the final tally was announced, receiving cheers from Republican lawmakers. She concluded the session with the declaration: "The chair declares this joint session dissolved."
This peaceful transfer of power stood in stark contrast to the violence of January 6th, 2021, when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol during the certification of his 2020 defeat. The 2021 riot, which left five people dead and hundreds injured, led to over 1,500 prosecutions, making it the largest criminal investigation in U.S. history.
Security at the Capitol was heightened for the 2024 certification, with the Department of Homeland Security designating it a “National Special Security Event.” This level of preparation reflected the lingering scars of 2021, even as lawmakers sought to restore normalcy to the democratic process.
Harris acknowledged the significance of the day, calling her role a "sacred obligation." She emphasized the importance of democracy, stating, "I do believe very strongly that America’s democracy is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it…Otherwise it is very fragile, and it will not be able to withstand moments of crisis." Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer echoed these sentiments, denouncing the ongoing threats of “election denialism.”
Trump celebrated the certification on his platform Truth Social, calling it “a big moment in history.” Meanwhile, Harris urged Americans to learn from the past, saying, “Democracy is only as strong as our willingness to fight for it.”
The Republican Party now controls both chambers of Congress, with many members embracing Trump’s leadership and controversial views on the 2020 election. Trump has promised to pardon several individuals convicted in connection with the 2021 riot, a move Schumer criticized as “shameful” and “outrageous.”
As Trump prepares for his second term, his return to power underscores a political landscape shaped by deep divisions. While the certification process marked a step toward normalcy, the legacy of the Capitol riots continues to cast a shadow over American democracy.
Trump will officially take the oath of office on January 20th, 2025.
