Peaceful Certification of Trump’s Win Highlights Stark Contrast to 2021/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Congress officially certified Donald Trump as the winner of the 2024 presidential election in a calm and orderly session. The certification, presided over by Vice President Kamala Harris, marked a stark contrast to the violence of Jan. 6, 2021, when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol.
Key Points
- Certification Details: Congress certified Trump’s 312-226 Electoral College victory in a swift, uneventful process.
- Heavy Security: Layers of fencing and a high-security presence surrounded the Capitol, underscoring the legacy of 2021’s violent insurrection.
- Historical Context: Trump becomes the first president to return to power after contesting and denying a previous election defeat.
- Electoral Count Changes: Updated rules require one-fifth of lawmakers to object to election results, reducing disruptions.
- Harris’s Role: Vice President Kamala Harris presided over the session, certifying her own defeat with dignity.
Peaceful Certification: VP Harris Certifies Trump’s Electoral Victory
Deep Look
Peaceful Transition of Power
On Monday, Congress certified Donald Trump as the next U.S. president in a process free of violence, protests, or procedural objections. This peaceful transfer of power stood in stark contrast to the chaos of Jan. 6, 2021, when Trump supporters stormed the Capitol to overturn his 2020 loss.
- Quick Certification: The certification took less than 30 minutes, with applause from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers for Trump and Harris, respectively.
- Symbolic Significance: Harris presided over the session, fulfilling her constitutional duty to certify her own defeat, much like Al Gore in 2001 and Richard Nixon in 1961.
Security Measures Reflect 2021 Legacy
Despite the calm proceedings, Congress met under Super Bowl-level security with tall black fencing and restricted access to the Capitol.
- Preparation: Law enforcement ensured no disruptions, allowing lawmakers to affirm the election results without incident.
- Contrast: In 2021, rioters breached the Capitol, attacking police and disrupting the certification process for hours.
Changes to Electoral Certification Rules
Reforms to the Electoral Count Act in the wake of the 2021 attack made objections more difficult.
- Updated Rules: Objections now require support from one-fifth of lawmakers in both chambers, up from the previous threshold of just one member in each chamber.
- Result: No objections arose during Monday’s session, reflecting the decisive nature of Trump’s win.
Trump’s Triumphant Return
Trump’s second term begins with significant implications for U.S. politics:
- Historical First: Trump is the only president to reclaim the White House after denying a previous defeat.
- Pardons Promised: Trump has pledged to pardon individuals convicted for their roles in the 2021 Capitol attack.
- Future Ambitions: Trump has hinted at plans to extend his presidency beyond the two-term limit set by the Constitution.
Reflections on Jan. 6, 2021
As lawmakers certified Trump’s victory, memories of the 2021 Capitol riot loomed large:
- Democratic Concerns: President Joe Biden warned of the dangers of complacency and called Jan. 6, 2021, a “genuine threat to democracy.”
- Republican Views: Some Republicans, including Rep. Mike Collins, downplayed the events of 2021, characterizing participants as “peaceful grandmothers.”
- Legal Fallout: Over 1,250 individuals have been convicted or pleaded guilty for their roles in the insurrection. Leaders of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys have been sentenced for seditious conspiracy.
Biden’s Final Acts
In one of his last official acts, Biden awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal to Reps. Bennie Thompson and Liz Cheney, who led the congressional investigation into the Capitol attack.
- Significance: The award honored their work in defending democracy and holding those responsible for the 2021 attack accountable.
Looking Ahead
As Trump prepares to take office, questions remain about his promises of pardons, his plans for a second term, and the broader implications for U.S. democracy.
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